Online Master’s Degree in Mental Health and Wellness

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Overview

Drive Positive Behavioral Change

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. 

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Why GCU

Tailored Program for Mental Health and Wellness

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:

  • Common health challenges faced by individuals with behavioral or mental health disorders
  • The implementation of communitywide programs focused on preventive or interventional approaches
  • The fundamentals of evidence-based research in the mental health and wellness field
  • Early and modern ethical models related to the mental health and wellness professions

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. 

Online Learning
Coursework

Health and Wellness Course Topics

Smiling woman in a counseling session, representing the MS in Mental Health and Wellness program's focus on supportive care.

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

Incorporate Behavioral and Mental Health Into Your Career

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.

Explore Emphasis Options

Discover more MS in Mental Health and Wellness programs with different specializations for your career goals.

Careers

Career Paths With an MS in Mental Health 

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

Accreditation

Complete Your Master’s From an Accredited University

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. 

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Three students in purple embracing at sunset, symbolizing growth, support, and the journey toward a career in mental health and wellness.

Create Healthier Communities

Begin working toward your dream of helping others strengthen their mental health with the MS in Mental Health and Wellness program.

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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

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