Mental Health
The Mental Health Associate of Applied Science Degree and College Certificate program covers the fundamentals of mental health, with a concentration in areas such as group process, social science, psychopathology, and preventive and rehabilitative therapies.
Social and human service assistants help people through difficult times or get additional support. They help other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find community services. For people with mental illnesses, social and human service assistants help clients find resources to cope with their illness. They find self-help and support groups to provide their clients with an assistance network. In addition, they help those with more severe mental illnesses care for themselves by finding personal care services or group housing.
What’s the Job Outlook for Social and Human Service Assistants?
Social and human service assistant employment is projected to grow by 9% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
What’s Required to Complete the Mental Health Program?
A certificate in mental health from WCCCD requires 37 credits to complete. An AAS in mental health from WCCCD requires 63 total credits.
As a mental health student at WCCCD, you’ll take both general education courses and courses required for a mental health major.
Some students plan to transfer to a four-year college or university after earning their AAS. If that’s your goal, you might choose specific courses. Talk with your advisor about a personalized plan that meets your goals.
How Long Does it Take to Earn a Mental Health Degree?
Most mental health students take five semesters (2.5 years) to complete AAS degree prerequisites and required courses.
What Will I Learn as a Mental Health Student?
WCCCD mental health students learn the fundamentals of mental health with a concentration in such areas as group process, social science, psychopathology and preventive and rehabilitative therapies. Clinical and classroom training will familiarize you with the delivery of services to adult clients. You will also study interviewing techniques and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. The curriculum is designed for those who desire employment in human service settings.
Recommended course sequencing
Semester 1 Total: 12 Credits
- ENG 119 - English I 3 Credit(s)
- MEH 100 - Introduction to Mental Health 3 Credit(s)
- HUS 135 - Professionalism in Human Services 3 Credit(s)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology 3 Credit(s)
Semester 2 Total: 14 Credits
- ENG 120 - English II 3 Credit(s)
- SW 108 - Case Documentation 2 Credit(s)
- SW 110 - Case Management and Service Care Navigation 3 Credit(s)
- ADD 103 - Co-Occurring Disorders 3 Credit(s)
- MEH 120 - Direct Care Services in Community Settings 3 Credit(s)
Semester 3 Total: 10 Credits
- MEH 130 - Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice 3 Credit(s)
- HUS 200 - Group and Social Process 4 Credit(s)
- MEH 240 - Psychopathology and Behavior I 3 Credit(s)
Semester 4 Total: 14 Credits
- SPH 101 - Fundamentals of Speech 3 Credit(s)
- Elective: Natural Science with Lab 4 Credit(s)
- PS 101 - American Government 3 Credit(s)
- SW 105 - Social Work Field Instruction I 4 Credit(s)
Semester 5 Total: 10 Credits
- Elective: Humanities 3 Credit(s)
- Elective: Social Science 3 Credit(s)
- SW 106 - Social Work Field Instruction II 4 Credit(s)
Semester 1 Total: 12 Credits
- ENG 119 - English I 3 Credit(s)
- MEH 100 - Introduction to Mental Health 3 Credit(s)
- HUS 135 - Professionalism in Human Services 3 Credit(s)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology 3 Credit(s)
Semester 2 Total: 12 Credits
- ADD 103 - Co-Occurring Disorders 3 Credit(s)
- SW 108 - Case Documentation 2 Credit(s)
- SW 110 - Case Management and Service Care Navigation 3 Credit(s)
- SW 105 - Social Work Field Instruction I 4 Credit(s)
Semester 3 Total: 13 Credits
- MEH 120 - Direct Care Services in Community Settings 3 Credit(s)
- MEH 130 - Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice 3 Credit(s)
- MEH 240 - Psychopathology and Behavior I 3 Credit(s)
- SW 106 - Social Work Field Instruction II 4 Credit(s)
Where is WCCCD’s Mental Health Program Offered?
The Mental Health program is offered at our Curtis L. Ivery Downtown Campus.
As a WCCCD student, you can take courses, use facilities, and get involved at any of our six locations.
It is the policy of WCCCD that no person, based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, or political affiliation or belief, shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in employment or in any program or activity for which it is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
