Online Master’s Degree in Mental Health and Wellness
Online Master’s Degree in Mental Health and Wellness
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Mental health and wellness encompass emotional, psychological and social wellness. Good mental health is crucial for overall quality of life.1 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 MS in Mental Health and Wellness at Grand Canyon University. Through master’s-level health and wellness courses, you’ll be taught 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 in mental health and wellness degree provides a broad survey of the biological, social, cultural and spiritual factors that comprise mental wellness. You will be encouraged to become an ethical leader in your chosen field by exploring communitywide change, cultural diversity and ethical issues. There is an emphasis on the seamless integration of the fields of health, wellness and healthcare.
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
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).
Before you enroll in a health and wellness degree online, you should take the time to research the program and the career field. You should consider whether a particular mental health and wellness program will help you pursue your career goals. The following frequently asked questions and answers can jumpstart your research.
Mental health and wellness refers to emotional, psychological and social well-being that influences how people think, feel and act. It often is found through finding balance and resilience in spite of challenges while nurturing positive relationships and personal growth. Mental health and wellness professionals help people develop coping strategies to do this and achieve greater satisfaction in their lives.
Yes, an online mental health and wellness degree is just as respectable as a traditional degree. GCU offers both on-campus programs and online degrees that maintain the same rigorous academic standards and are taught by experienced faculty.
Clinical licensure requirements vary from one state to the next. Not all mental health and wellness degrees are intended to lead to licensure or fulfill the licensure requirements for every state. You should carefully consider your desired career outcomes, the requirements for the state in which you plan to work and the specifics of your intended degree program before enrolling in a master’s degree.
It is important to note that this degree does not directly lead to clinical licensure as a counselor or psychologist. Earning your master’s in mental health and wellness can help position you for a range of careers that do not involve private practice in clinical settings and do not require licensure.
Accreditation is an indicator of the quality of the school. GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university that offers a wide range of degrees and certificate programs, helping graduates to pursue their career goals.
This Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness may be an appropriate choice if you want to expand your knowledge and improve your qualifications in the mental health field. This program is designed for professionals who may have some experience in the behavioral health field and want to elevate their degree, or for those interested in changing careers. This degree does not lead to licensure. Instead, you will explore means of integrating mental health concepts into your field of expertise as a working professional.
Future leaders pursuing an MS in Mental Health and Wellness will explore how to educate and coach clients in non-clinical settings, emphasizing the importance of a healthier lifestyle and an improved quality of life.
Begin working toward your dream of helping others strengthen their mental health with the MS in Mental Health and Wellness program.
This program provides opportunities to cultivate a compassionate mindset toward those who need a helping hand. You will examine evidence-based practices that can support clients struggling with mental, emotional or behavioral issues. You will be encouraged to develop as an effective communicator, transformative leader and innovative thinker. Broaden your perspective by engaging with a community of peers and knowledgeable instructors.
The focused coursework will cover the following key areas:
Earn Your MS in Mental Health and Wellness Online
GCU recognizes the importance of flexibility and convenience in higher education and professional development. When you enroll in this health and wellness degree online, you can study from virtually anywhere at any time via our interactive online learning platform. As an online student, you can also benefit from discussions with your peers and instructors, and have 24/7 access to your course materials.
More than one in five adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness, and over one in five youth aged 13 to 18 have experienced a debilitating mental illness at some point.2 Even those without a diagnosed mental illness can face mental health challenges and could potentially benefit from behavioral health services focused on self-care and coping techniques.1 Given the prevalence of mental health issues, there is a need for professionals qualified in mental health and wellness.
You can integrate your care for others and your knowledge in the proper evaluation and treatment of mental health challenges in non-licensure settings. Some examples of specific, non-licensure career paths you might pursue include case manager, program manager, safe house program assistant or social services assistant. GCU’s master’s in health and wellness degree is designed to help prepare graduates to tackle challenges in a variety of fields.
Although this degree does not lead to clinical licensure and no degree can guarantee a specific career outcome, you will examine how to support others with evidence-based mental health intervention in areas such as:
Law enforcement
Human services
Education
Community health
Management/human resources
1 National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Caring for Your Mental Health. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2023.
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 25). About Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2023
Discover more MS in Mental Health and Wellness programs with different specializations for your career goals.
You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of the coursework by completing the Mental Health and Wellness Capstone, which includes an exploration of practical applications in the field.
Some of the mental health and wellness courses included in this program explore the following topics:
Ethics and Diversity
Professional ethics and cultural diversity and competence in the mental health and wellness field
Group Facilitation
Group dynamics, process structures and group facilitation strategies in therapeutic and organizational settings
Intervention Programs
Planning, developing and implementing intervention programs to address mental health issues beyond individual clients
Mental Health Integration
The integration of the mental health, wellness and healthcare fields, with a look at common mental health disorders, treatments and supportive services
Research and Policy
Documentation, evidence-based research and policies in the mental health and wellness field
Careers and Roles
Careers and common job responsibilities in the mental health and wellness field
