Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness: Community Mental Health Administration Emphasis
Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness: Community Mental Health Administration Emphasis
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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
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.
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
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 wellbeing, 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
This graduate certificate includes courses on community mental health that provide opportunities for you to acquire core competencies in the field by:
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
The University will accept one course of the total certificate requirements in transfer.
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
This graduate certificate in mental health is available via online classes on our virtual learning platform. Connect with a community of learners and knowledgeable instructors in the mental health field. Complete your coursework while continuing to meet your professional and personal responsibilities.
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.
Explore specialized Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness program options focused on your interests.
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.
