Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Family Dynamics
Overview
Pursue Your Purpose in Helping Others
Grand Canyon University's Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Family Dynamics degree program is designed for students who have a passion to work with families and in various community settings to promote mental health and wellness. You will explore areas of human nature-including behavioral, mental, spiritual, cognitive, interpersonal, resiliency, social motivations and family dynamics. The study of human nature will help you develop the foundation to help families determine and resolve problems, as well as achieve and maintain health and wellness. This family dynamics degree program also provides an in-depth look at mental health and wellness research and best practices in relation to family dynamics and systems. This degree does not lead to licensure.
Degree Outcomes
Become an Expert in Family Dynamics, Function and Structure
By gaining a deepened understanding of concepts such as ethics, culture, advocacy and psychopathology, you will graduate from this family dynamics degree program equipped with the knowledge to effectively help families overcome challenges. The Mental Health and Wellness Capstone course concludes the program and provides a practical, real-world examination of careers in the mental health and wellness field. Achieved through practical application, you will possess the knowledge base necessary to pursue a profession in mental health and wellness.
What You Will Learn
Delve into the Family-Focused Mental Health and Wellness Field
The family dynamics curriculum begins with an introductory look at advanced graduate study in the liberal arts field and professional skill development. Then as you move through the family dynamics degree program, you will address ethics and cultural diversity, examine the family unit as an interactive system, and survey the family life cycle and individual development.
Other key topics include:
- Research and evidence-based parenting practices and facets of parenting
- Structure and function of the family in contemporary society and societal influences
- Comprehensive understanding of the connectedness of mental health, wellness and health care fields
Career Outcomes
Lead Families Toward Optimal Mental Health and Wellness
As a graduate, you will have gained core competencies in the principles of family dynamics in correlation with mental health and wellness fields-preparing you to work in schools, churches, hospitals, community-based organizations and settings that provide comprehensive child and family services. Potential career opportunities include roles in mental and social health services and allied professions. You may also choose to lead as a community health worker.
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the liberal arts. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course is an introductory course in mental health and wellness practices. The purpose of the course is to develop a basic understanding of mental health and wellness practices and wellness approaches. An overview of mental health disorders, basic overview of treatment practices, and the Dimensions of Wellness are covered.
Course Description
This course covers ethics and cultural diversity as it relates to mental health and wellness. The history of ethics is addressed, including how early ethical models evolved into modern ethical codes in the mental health and wellness professions. How ethics relates to legal standards and issues such as records and billing are addressed. Cultural diversity, sensitivity, and competence are covered.
Course Description
This course introduces students to the dynamics of the family unit. The family is examined as an interactive system of individuals whose roles and boundaries constantly shift to accommodate the needs of the collective family unit. The influence of relationships, interactional patterns, and communication among family members is covered through a systemic lens. Considering the function of behaviors will determine how problems are formed, perpetuated, and resolved within families.
Course Description
This course examines the family life cycle, the development of individuals within the family, and the family system as a whole. It includes a survey of how cognitive, moral, and psychosocial developmental theories relate to family development and the transitions between family life cycle stages.
Course Description
In this course, students examine the many facets of parenting. The historical and theoretical influences of parenting in the United States are covered. How parenting changes throughout the life span as well as how parenting is different in various family contexts is investigated. Research and evidence-based parenting practices regarding character development and promoting positive behavior are covered as well as how various factors affect parenting such as drugs and alcohol, poverty, and medical and psychological diagnoses.
Course Description
This course takes a holistic look at the structure and function of the family in contemporary society as well as the many societal influences that affect the family. It examines how modern phenomena such as nontraditional family structures, changing moral norms, and the proliferation of technology have impacted today’s families and the way they interact with other community systems. Modern governmental guidelines and ethical challenges are also addressed.
Course Description
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of mental health, wellness, and health care, including the integration of these three fields. The course covers common mental health disorders, treatments, and supportive services, as well as an integrated focus on the mind and the body. The course examines the health challenges often faced by individuals with behavioral or mental health disorders, and it reviews appropriate services, interventions, preventative services, and treatments to achieve and maintain health and wellness.
Course Description
This course provides a practical, real-world exploration of the mental health and wellness field. Special focus is given to careers in mental health and wellness. The common duties and tasks performed by workers in the mental health and wellness field are investigated. Concepts covered throughout the program are examined through practical application. This course is the last course in the program of study; all other course work must be completed before this course.
Program Locations
Online
Evening
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program’s published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution’s catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who graduated between 7/1 – 6/30 of the preceding year. The On-Time Completion rate is determined by the number of students in the cohort who completed the program within the published program length divided by the number of students in the cohort who graduated.
Online and Evening program disclosures (18 month program)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.