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For those looking to specialize in grief and bereavement, please review our answers to these frequently asked questions.
If you have a passion for helping people and feel called to serve those who are struggling with loss and the grieving process, then earning a degree with a focus in grief and bereavement is worth your consideration. This graduate degree is ideal for those who want to pursue an administrative or leadership role within the mental health field.
In order to practice as a grief counselor, you will first want to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling or a related field. Next, you will need to earn a master’s degree in counseling, psychology or social work and gain some work experience, preferably in a mental health setting. Then you’ll need to apply for licensure in your state. The master’s in mental health and wellness at GCU does not lead to licensure but supports those looking for leadership or specialist positions in the grief and bereavement field.
While grief and bereavement can overlap and act in similar ways, they are different. Grief is described as an emotional response to any type of loss. Bereavement is the time period when a person experiences grief after the loss of a loved one.2
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. We are proud to provide quality master's programs that help graduates pursue their career goals.
Specialists in the grief and bereavement field need to be emotionally resilient individuals who possess a high level of empathy for those who are suffering. As an aspiring mental health professional, you could dedicate your career to nurturing the emotional resiliency of your clients who are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones, as well as those who are facing their own terminal illnesses.
As a career path, grief and bereavement services are needed nationwide. This master’s-level program is a non-licensure program geared toward individuals who are currently working in or plan to work in an administrative position, in a leadership role or in a mental health specialist position that does not require counseling or psychology licensure.
Mental health professionals can work in a variety of settings, including:
Hospice facilities and in-home programs
Churches and other Christian organizations
Hospitals
Schools
Social service agencies
Community-based health and social service groups
Projected number of jobs to open each year, on average, for medical and health services managers from 2021 to 20311
If you feel called to offer support and encouragement to those impacted by grief and loss, complete the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about your next steps.
The loss of a loved one is an incomparable event that can give rise to a number of mental, emotional and spiritual challenges. During these difficult times, the comfort of a grief and bereavement specialist can make a world of difference for individuals and families.
If you feel called to serve those in need, you could earn your Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness at Grand Canyon University. The grief and bereavement training courses blend together the studies of human nature, human development and psychopathology as they pertain to loss.
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this degree program teaches graduates how to serve with compassion and understanding across a variety of settings. As a student, you will have the opportunity to closely examine the nature of grief and bereavement, understand its many effects on human wellness and learn how to promote healthy behaviors and responses to loss.
Discover additional mental health and wellness emphases that can help you find the right path for your academic and career aspirations.
The grief and bereavement emphasis is designed for the working professional who wants to advance their education and career in the mental health field. The program requires 34 credits to completion and the online courses allow you the flexibility to pursue a graduate degree while remaining available for your other commitments.
As a GCU student, you have access to knowledgeable faculty and online learning resources to help you throughout your academic journey.
The MS in Mental Health and Wellness teaches foundational knowledge in human nature, human resiliency and the recovery process. Students are encouraged to contemplate their Christian worldview as they study professional ethics, servant leadership, cultural sensitivity and ethical decision-making.
In the online courses, you will have the opportunity to acquire the following knowledge and skills:
In addition, you will complete the Mental Health and Wellness Capstone, which is a practical exploration of careers within the grief and bereavement field.
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).
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Health Services Managers, retrieved June 15, 2023.
2 PB PressBooks. (n.d.). 22.4 Grief, Bereavement, & Mourning. Retrieved Feb. 11, 2025.
