Online Mental Health and Wellness Master’s: Community Mental Health Administration Emphasis
Online Mental Health and Wellness Master’s: Community Mental Health Administration Emphasis
journey today.
Churches, hospitals and community-based organizations need strong leaders and administrators to develop, implement and direct impactful initiatives that can make a positive difference in the community. You will be taught the skills you’ll need for this career path by earning your Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Community Mental Health Administration at Grand Canyon University. Explore how to communicate key information to a variety of stakeholders, inspire others by demonstrating desired behavior and leading by example and navigate the everyday nuances of community-based mental health organizations.
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this master’s in mental health and wellness with an emphasis in community mental health administration is designed to integrate mental health and wellness within a leadership role. There is a focus on program planning and development, including budgetary issues, policies and procedures. You will be taught how to become an effective leader and ethical advocate who can guide your organization and community toward a brighter future. GCU has paved the way for working professionals to invest in their education.
Flexible Online Learning for Busy Professionals
The online master’s in mental health and wellness degree allows you to take courses via our interactive learning platform, where you can connect with knowledgeable instructors. When you pursue your degree online, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive learning environment that can help you stay engaged and motivated throughout the program. This flexible mental health administration focus is designed to help you balance your academic pursuits with your personal and professional responsibilities.
During your studies, you will be taught to polish your communication skills, explore professional ethics standards and delve into the details of organizational governance, policies and financial management.
Some of the course topics that will be covered in this master’s program include the following:
Explore How To Help Improve the Mental Health of Others
This master’s in mental health and wellness with an emphasis in community mental health administration degree focuses on building a solid framework of knowledge pertaining to behavioral, mental, spiritual and cognitive health.
This includes community mental health courses that explore the following areas:
Mental health insights
Examine mental health disorders, treatment modalities and the dimensions of wellness
Holistic wellness approach
Explore the integration of body, spirit and mind, and examine the common health challenges faced by individuals with behavioral or mental health disorders
Ethics in practice
Survey the history of professional ethics, including the evolution of modern ethical codes as they pertain to legal standards and issues
Public service leadership
Discover how public organizations serve their stakeholders, carry out their mission, comply with regulatory powers and manage resources to succeed in community mental health administration
HR competencies
Analyze key competencies in human resources, such as workforce diversity, talent management, employee development and motivation
Capstone experience
Conclude your studies with the mental health administration and wellness capstone, which focuses on contemporary issues and careers in the mental health and wellness field
8%
Estimated job growth for social and community service managers from 2023 to 20331
$77,030
Median annual wage for social and community service managers in May 20232
Graduates with this master's in mental health and wellness can be equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career path that supports the health and wellness of their communities. When you earn this degree at GCU, you can position yourself to pursue potential leadership positions within community-based mental health organizations, churches, hospitals or social services agencies. Mental health and wellness, and the allied professions present opportunities to serve others in Christ’s name.
It is important to note that this program does not lead to licensure as a mental health professional. While this program may provide a solid foundation for students interested in pursuing licensure in the future, additional training and education may be required to meet state licensing requirements. If you are seeking licensure or certification, contact your state department of education or the American Counseling Association for specific licensure requirements and program approval.
The master’s: community mental health administration program can position graduates to pursue careers in various leadership roles, including:
Social and community services manager
Medical and health services manager
Mental health program director
Nonprofit executive director
Behavioral health coordinator
Community outreach and advocacy specialist
Grand Canyon University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that choosing a degree program is a big decision. Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this master’s program.
Community mental health administration refers to the management and coordination of mental health services and programs that are designed to meet the needs of individuals within a community. This may involve overseeing the delivery of mental healthcare in community-based settings such as clinics, schools and community centers, as well as working with local organizations and government agencies to ensure that mental health services are accessible and effective. Community mental health administrators may also be involved in developing and implementing policies related to mental health, advocating for the rights of people with mental illness and promoting public awareness of mental health issues.
Earning a relevant advanced degree is helpful for becoming a mental health administrator. Along with academic preparation, practical experience in the mental health field is required to develop the skills needed to manage services, staff and programs. A combination of education and experience may help you position yourself to pursue potential leadership roles in mental health agencies, nonprofits and governmental organizations that focus on improving community mental health.
Most management positions require a graduate degree in the field. These occupations, which involve heavy administrative duties, may include mental health program directors, behavioral health directors, managers of community behavioral health services, clinical care managers and social and community services managers.3 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, master’s degrees are common and sometimes preferred by employers who hire medical and health services managers, a career that is considered similar to mental health administration.4
Whether a master’s: community mental health administration degree is worth it depends on your individual goals and circumstances. However, this degree can provide you with specialized skills and knowledge for potential leadership roles in mental health administration and related fields.
Help Nurture Your Community
Help your community by pursuing a degree in mental health and wellness with a community mental health administration emphasis.
Visit the "State Disclosures" section on the page of the program you’re interested in at gcu.edu for details on state restrictions.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers, retrieved on Nov. 19, 2024.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Social and Community Service Managers, as of May 2023, retrieved on Nov. 19, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Social and Community Service Managers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
3 Healthcare Management Degree Guide. (n.d.). 5 Healthcare Management Careers in the Mental Health Field. Retrieved on June 2, 2023.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, October). Medical and Health Services Manager. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved April 5, 2023.