Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness: Community Mental Health Administration Emphasis
Answer the Call To Serve Others in the Community Mental Health Administration Field
Work toward becoming a more effective and impactful community leader within the mental health field by enhancing your academic qualifications. The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness Emphasis in Community Mental Health Administration at Grand Canyon University brings together the principles of health and wellness with the fundamentals of social services and organizational planning. Examine key facets of motivation, supervisory skills and communication that you could draw on to make a positive difference within a leadership role in a community-based organization.
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this mental health certificate is appropriate for students with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work or a related field. GCU’s graduate certificate program is a thoughtful blend of health and wellness courses with administrative and organizational leadership curriculum.
Earn Your Mental Health Administration Graduate Certificate at GCU
Every year, millions of Americans are affected by mental health issues. One in five experience some form of mental illness, and one in 20 experience a severe mental health disorder.1 With a mental health certificate from GCU, you can position yourself to pursue potential supervisory and leadership roles within community organizations committed to supporting and empowering individuals and families. Pursue your passion for uplifting others in your community and work toward positive change with a foundation of competencies taught in these community mental health courses.
As a Christian university, GCU offers higher education from the Christian perspective. All our courses are developed with a Christian lens and with the goal of encouraging our students to approach their career responsibilities with compassion for others and a sense of servant leadership.
Loading Form
Community Mental Health Administration Emphasis Curriculum
This graduate certificate includes courses on community mental health that provide opportunities for you to acquire core competencies in the field by:
- Exploring the integration of health, wellness and healthcare, including common mental health disorders, treatments and supportive services
- Thinking critically about the impact of macroeconomic events and policy decisions on the services and budgets of public organizations
- Examining how government and public organizations can best provide services to their stakeholders and manage resources efficiently
- Exploring the revenue and expenditure structure of the public sector, including budget structure, administration and revenue policy
- Demonstrating cultural sensitivity and awareness with diverse sectors of the community
You will also be prompted to consider the complex relationship between mind and body, with a focus on the co-occurring health challenges that commonly affect individuals who have behavioral or mental health disorders. You will explore the appropriate services, interventions, preventive measures and treatments that are necessary to promote health and wellness.
Help Those in Need With a Community Mental Health Administration Focus
Families and individuals often rely on community-based organizations to promote wellness and enhance quality of life. With a graduate certificate emphasis in community mental health administration, you may be prepared to pursue work in settings such as:2
- Hospitals
- Faith-based organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Ambulatory healthcare facilities
- Social service agencies
Alternatively, you may choose to focus your career on research or public policy advocacy.
This graduate certificate does not lead to clinical licensure. Some community mental health administrator jobs may require licensure or additional qualifications. You may elect to use the graduate certificate program to prepare for an advanced degree in the field. GCU offers master’s degrees and doctoral programs in psychology and counseling.
Take Community Mental Health Courses at an Institutionally Accredited University
Before you enroll in courses on community mental health, it’s important to consider the academic reputation of the institution. GCU is pleased to be an institutionally accredited school, which reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering quality education and a well-rounded curriculum.
In addition, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness: Community Mental Health Administration Emphasis FAQS
A mental health certificate can allow you to examine topics of interest to your professional field. Before getting started, you may have some questions. The following are some frequently asked questions and answers to assist your career-related research.
There are several skills and qualities that can be helpful for aspiring community mental health administrators. These include:3
- Leadership skills, including mentoring and training
- Communication skills
- Conflict resolution
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Empathy
- Adaptability and flexibility
Behavioral health science and mental health are similar terms often used interchangeably. However, there are some subtle differences. Whereas a behavioral health professional explores how a person’s actions, lifestyle and social interactions may affect their well-being, a mental health professional focuses on how a person’s psychological state (including emotions and personality) affects them.4
Mental health administrators lead mental health and behavioral health facilities. They are charged with ensuring the quality of patient care, compliance with all regulations and efficient business operations. They may handle a variety of tasks, including:5
- Establishing organizational or departmental objectives and tasks
- Developing an annual budget
- Developing new programs, strategies and marketing approaches
- Overseeing professional certifications, licensure and accreditations
- Managing funding, staffing, program evaluation and other day-to-day responsibilities
Further your academic qualifications and position yourself to pursue potential leadership roles in community mental health administration. Apply today for enrollment in community mental health courses at GCU.
1 National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2023, April). Mental health by the numbers. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved Nov. 6, 2023.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). Community health workers: work environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Nov. 6, 2023.
3 Hoffman, M. (2021, Nov. 26). Top skills for healthcare administration students. EduMed. Retrieved Nov. 6, 2023.
4 Gillette, H. (2023, March 28). What’s the difference between mental health and behavioral health? Healthline. Retrieved Nov. 6, 2023.
5 HealthcareAdministrationEDU.org. (n.d.). Mental health administration careers. HealthcareAdministrationEDU.org. Retrieved Nov. 6, 2023.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of mental health, wellness, and health care, including the integration of these three fields. The course covers common mental health disorders, treatments, and supportive services, as well as an integrated focus on the mind and the body. The course examines the health challenges often faced by individuals with behavioral or mental health disorders, and it reviews appropriate services, interventions, preventative services, and treatments to achieve and maintain health and wellness.
Course Description
In this course, the role of government in the economy is explored within the general context of market failure and social equity. Topics include allocation of goods and services, income distribution, externalities, public goods, and public choice theory. This course also examines the impact of macroeconomic events and policy decisions on the budgets and service levels of public entities.
Course Description
This course focuses on how government and public organizations serve their stakeholders, the manner in which their services are carried out, how resources are managed, and how regulatory powers are complied with and/or managed. The best practices in public governance, issues related to transparency, participation, and accountability are examined.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the revenue and expenditure structure of the public sector, including revenue policy, expenditure policy, and budget structure and administration.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.