Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness: Community Mental Health Administration Emphasis

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Overview

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.

Why GCU

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.

Take Courses on Community Mental Health Administration Online

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. 

GCU mental health admin student sitting outside using laptop
Coursework

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.

Mental health admin talking to community member outside
Careers

Help Those in Need With Community Mental Health 

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.

Accreditation

Take Community Mental Health Courses at an 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 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.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Explore Emphasis Options

Explore specialized Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness program options focused on your interests.

GCU Community mental health admin student typing on laptop

Start Your Journey Today

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.

Apply Now
  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.

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