The Behavioral Health undergraduate program offers students a psychological foundation for understanding and addressing the complexities of behavioral health and overall well-being within individuals and communities. Designed to meet the growing demand for compassionate and skilled professionals, the program integrates psychological, social, biological, and cultural perspectives to prepare students for careers as behavioral health support specialists or related positions. The program curriculum is structured around core psychology courses, behavioral health courses, experiential learning opportunities, and a capstone course. The degree will equip students with competencies to fill entry-level positions in behavioral health. Some distinctive features of the major are:
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Combines insights from the fields of psychology, sociology, and public health to offer a holistic view of behavioral health.
- Emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion: Addresses the unique behavioral health needs of diverse and underserved populations.
- Focus on Practical Skills: Integrates evidence-based practices and professional standards into coursework and applied experiences.
The Behavioral Health major is ideal for students passionate about making a positive impact on the mental and emotional well-being of individuals and communities, bridging the gap between health care and support services to promote holistic care.
Admission Requirements
Students may become pre-majors in the Behavioral Health BS program if they are seeking to enroll in the major but are not yet fully admitted. This program uses a cohort model where students take all behavioral health courses in a set sequence when they are offered by the department, but they must first complete a core set of psychology coursework as part of the BS degree. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year but are processed by the department when it is time to admit a new cohort. It is recommended that the behavioral health courses for the major be taken in the final year of study. Submission of a written application and/or interview will be required for admission to the program. In addition, the following requirements must be met for admission into the degree:
- Completion of PSY 101 with a grade of “C” or higher
- CWU/Transfer Combined cumulative grade point average of 2.25 or above at the time of application
For details about the application procedures, contact the Psychology department.
Graduation Requirements
Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each course applied to the major and a minimum major GPA of 2.5 to receive a degree in Behavioral Health.
Program Requirements
The courses listed in the required core set of major courses need to be completed prior to the required behavioral health set of courses (except PSY 438, which may be taken in advance of taking the required behavioral health courses). Students may apply to become a pre-major before being fully admitted to the Behavioral Health major.
Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with psychological theories related to behavioral health.
- Develop self-reflection and empathy skills to meet the behavioral health needs of diverse populations.
- Evaluate interventions that promote behavioral health.
- Exhibit ethical decision-making and professional behavior in behavioral health contexts.
- Prepare and present behavioral health concepts effectively.
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