Master of Science (MS) in Mental Health and Wellness

Support Others with a Master’s in Mental Health and Wellness Degree

Mental health and wellness are crucial for overall quality of life. However, people often need assistance to improve their mental and emotional resiliency. If you feel called to help others in this way, you can earn your Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness at Grand Canyon University. You’ll learn the skills necessary to support others as they journey toward emotional and behavioral wellness.

Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this master’s degree in mental health and wellness is a broad survey of the biological, social, cultural and spiritual factors that comprise mental wellness. Students are inspired to become ethical leaders in their chosen field by exploring community-wide change, cultural diversity and ethical issues. There is an emphasis on the seamless integration of the fields of health, wellness and health care. Classes are available both online and on-campus in the evenings.

Learn Best Practices for Psychological Support and Care in the Master's in Mental Health and Wellness Program

The Master’s in Mental Health and Wellness trains students to develop a compassionate mindset toward those in need of a helping hand. Students focus on evidence-based practices that can support clients who are struggling to cope with mental, emotional or behavioral issues. At GCU, students grow into more effective communicators, ethical servant leaders and capable critical thinkers.

Some of the courses included with this mental health degree program include the following:

• Mental Health, Wellness and Health Care Integration
• Documentation, Research and Information Literacy in Mental Health and Wellness
• Ethics and Cultural Diversity in Mental Health and Wellness
• Community Health
• Human Development

What Will I Learn in the Mental Health and Wellness Program?

As a modern university, GCU recognizes the importance of flexibility and convenience in higher education and professional development. Students enrolled in this Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness program can study from anywhere at any time via our interactive online learning platform. Expand your perspective by engaging with a diverse community of peers and fully qualified instructors who are leaders in their field. Through intensive, focused coursework, students will acquire the following core competencies:

• Understand the health challenges commonly faced by individuals with behavioral or mental health disorders
• Examine the implementation of community-wide programs focused on preventive or interventional approaches
• Know the fundamentals of evidence-based research in the mental health and wellness field
• Understand early and modern ethical models in relation to the mental health and wellness professions

Students demonstrate their mastery of the coursework by completing the Mental Health and Wellness Capstone, which includes a real-world exploration of the field.

Incorporate Behavioral and Mental Health into Your Professional Journey

GCU’s Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness is an appropriate choice for students who wish to expand their understanding and enhance their career qualifications in the mental health field. This degree does not lead to clinical licensure as a counselor or psychologist. Instead, students explore means of integrating mental health concepts into their field of expertise as working professionals.

Future leaders with this master’s degree in health and wellness are equipped to deliver education and coaching to clients in a non-clinical setting, with an emphasis on working toward a healthier lifestyle and better quality of life.

Career Outlook for Master’s in Mental Health and Wellness Degree Graduates

Graduates of the Master’s in Mental Health and Wellness will be entering a field that is in need of more professionals. As we continue to speak up about mental health and the stigma surrounding remaining silent, this sheds light on the lack of mental health professionals in many areas. Many organizations are shortstaffed and cannot handle the influx of patients, especially of the younger generation.

In order to find a solution to this problem, GCU’s Master’s in Mental Health and Wellness degree is designed for students to enter a multitude of career fields. Graduates are prepared to support others with evidence-based mental health intervention in areas such as:

• Law enforcement
• Human services
• Education
• Community health
• Management/human resources

You can integrate your care for others and your learned knowledge in the proper diagnosis, evaluation and treatment to help others in need. It’s these and many other characteristics in which community-based and national organizations are looking for to help fill their need for mental health professionals.

Mental Health and Wellness Degree FAQs

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness Degree?

GCU’s Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness degree includes 34 credits with many of the courses being eight weeks long. If completed from start to finish without interruption, it would take 76 weeks to finish.

Is an Online Degree in Mental Health and Wellness Respectable?

Wherever you earn the degree, an online master’s in mental health and wellness is highly respected. Earning a degree in any modality takes time and dedication and employers will see that in your work.

Can I Become a Licensed Counselor or Psychologist After Completing an MS Degree in Mental Health and Wellness?

It is important to note that GCU’s MS degree in mental health and wellness does not directly lead to clinical licensure as a counselor or psychologist. Earning your master’s in mental health and wellness can help prepare you for the professional experience you may need.