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By University HQ Staff Writers
Edited by Evelyn Keener
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University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs for a bachelors in mental health counseling.

Overview of a Bachelor’s in Mental Health Counseling

A bachelor's degree in mental health counseling, psychology, or a related field prepares students for a master's degree in mental health counseling and helps them secure entry-level positions in psychiatric facilities, residential treatment programs, or mental health services agencies. With an undergraduate degree, candidates can work as mental health professionals in various roles, including psychiatric patient care coordinators, victim's rights advocates, social services workers, and family rights advocates. However, they will not be licensed as full mental health counselors until completing a master's degree in mental health counseling, which requires an additional 60 credits. In addition to general education, students pursuing a behavioral health or counseling degree will study subjects like behavioral health science, counseling theory and practice, psychology, human behavior, and family dynamics.

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PROS

Entry-level roles in the mental health field are often found in social services or as psychiatric assistants, behavior technicians, or psychiatric technicians. Psychiatric assistants may secure employment straight out of high school, while others require a bachelor's in psychology, mental health, or a behavioral health counseling degree. Behavioral health technicians can earn certification in about 180 days, though some positions also require a bachelor's degree. Psychiatric technicians typically need an associate degree or post-secondary certificate, which can be earned through online programs. These entry-level roles often offer lower pay and fewer responsibilities than positions requiring a bachelor's degree in psychology or mental health. It's important to note that a bachelor's degree alone doesn't qualify you to be a mental health counselor; licensure and a master's degree are required to work in clinical counseling, behavioral health, psychology, or family and group counseling.

CONS

The issue with having only a bachelor's in mental health or psychology is that the available positions typically offer minimal pay increases and responsibility compared to entry-level jobs like psychiatric assistant or behavior technician. For instance, those with just a bachelor's degree in mental health, behavioral health counseling, or psychology cannot provide formal psychological counseling or design interventions and assessments. Instead, they will mainly implement interventions created by those with higher degrees and certifications.

Positions with higher pay and more responsibility require at least a master's degree in mental health, counseling, or psychology. For example, mental health counseling roles typically require a master's degree, clinical hours, and state licensure.

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Top 10 Best Online Bachelors in Mental Health Counseling Programs

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1

Drexel University

Score: 82.44

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $60,663
    • Out-of-State:$60,663
  • Net Price: $39,267
  • Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • Retention Rate: 87%
  • Graduation Rate: 78%
  • Total Enrollment: 22,344
  • Undergrad Students: 14,021
  • Graduate Students: 8,323
  • Grads Salary: $84,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Drexel University
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2

Central Michigan University

Score: 80.57

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $14,190
    • Out-of-State:$14,190
  • Net Price: $15,605
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,557
  • Undergrad Students: 10,401
  • Graduate Students: 4,156
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Central Michigan University
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3

Alvernia University

Score: 75.57

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $42,810
    • Out-of-State:$42,810
  • Net Price: $27,091
  • Acceptance Rate: 59%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 63%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,484
  • Undergrad Students: 2,018
  • Graduate Students: 466
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Alvernia University
4

Grand Canyon University

Score: 70.24

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $17,450
    • Out-of-State:$17,450
  • Net Price: $21,939
  • Acceptance Rate: 78%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 45%
  • Total Enrollment: 101,816
  • Undergrad Students: 66,769
  • Graduate Students: 35,047
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Grand Canyon University
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5

Liberty University

Score: 68.42

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $21,222
    • Out-of-State:$21,222
  • Net Price: $29,913
  • Acceptance Rate: 99%
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Graduation Rate: 66%
  • Total Enrollment: 96,709
  • Undergrad Students: 48,906
  • Graduate Students: 47,803
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Liberty University
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6

University of Maine at Augusta

Score: 66.19

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,618
    • Out-of-State:$21,548
  • Net Price: $9,973
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 23%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,446
  • Undergrad Students: 4,384
  • Graduate Students: 62
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • University of Maine at Augusta
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7

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Score: 63.94

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $18,610
    • Out-of-State:$18,610
  • Net Price: $19,217
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 42%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,794
  • Undergrad Students: 1,491
  • Graduate Students: 303
  • Grads Salary: $55,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Southwestern Assemblies of God University
8

Lindsey Wilson College

Score: 60.71

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $27,274
    • Out-of-State:$27,274
  • Net Price: $13,056
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 37%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,159
  • Undergrad Students: 1,753
  • Graduate Students: 1,406
  • Grads Salary: $50,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Lindsey Wilson College
9

Capella University

Score: 60.47

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $14,436
    • Out-of-State:$14,436
  • Net Price: $14,935
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 36%
  • Graduation Rate: 21%
  • Total Enrollment: 39,727
  • Undergrad Students: 13,280
  • Graduate Students: 26,447
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 35:1
  • Capella University
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10

Southern New Hampshire University

Score: 60.29

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $16,450
    • Out-of-State:$16,450
  • Net Price: $32,043
  • Acceptance Rate: 96%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 41%
  • Total Enrollment: 164,091
  • Undergrad Students: 140,865
  • Graduate Students: 23,226
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • Southern New Hampshire University
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Certificate/Associate vs. Bachelors in Mental Health Counseling

What Degrees are Available Online?

  • Online Bachelor of Arts in Mental Health
    A BA has coursework that is more focused on a liberal arts and humanities education. An online bachelor's in mental health might usually have more of an emphasis upon issues like mental health assessment, policy issues in mental health, and crisis management as opposed to a bachelor's in psychology. Students in such programs are more likely to be assigned an internship at a mental health facility.
  • Online Bachelor of Science in Mental Health
    A BS in this field signifies that the program has a scientific, technical, and hands-on focus in its coursework. There will be more of an emphasis on biology, calculus, and chemistry coursework.
  • Online Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences
    While there are fewer bachelor's degrees that actually are labeled as “mental health”, many programs that aim at providing coursework on mental health assessment and treatment as well as crisis management fall under the label “behavioral sciences”. Other programs are bachelor's in psychology but provide tracks that move students toward careers in mental health.
  • Online Bachelor of Arts or Science in Psychology
    A bachelor's degree in psychology is going to be a broader umbrella that covers the entire field. A BA in psychology allows the student to pursue more varied career goals after graduation that can include child or organizational psychology or careers in other fields such as social work, education, journalism, business, political science, or law. Thus, a bachelor of arts allows the candidate the freedom to choose coursework to specialize in whatever subfields or multi-disciplinary paths that may advance their future career goals. US News and World Report emphasizes that students should seek out such coursework in related fields while pursuing their Bachelor of Arts to pursue multi-disciplinary careers.

Admission Requirements for Bachelor's Programs

Candidates will need to provide their high school transcripts, often some letters of recommendation from teachers and/or employers and their SAT or ACT scores. It depends upon how competitive the program is to determine the exact minimums required, but usually 3.0 is the minimum GPA for admission to most programs. Often, candidates will also need to submit a statement of purpose.

How long does it take to earn these degrees?

It takes four solid years of full-time coursework in order to earn one's bachelor's degree in mental health. There are, however, accelerated programs that can move you into the degree sooner. This usually entails taking coursework throughout the summer term. Students who have to work and attend school or those who have family commitments often find that they need to take a somewhat reduced load of courses. This makes their completion date extend beyond four years.

Students who need to work and attend school should consider looking into scholarships and grants that will allow them to use some of the proceeds to pay for living expenses. This will allow them to devote their efforts to their degree full time.

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Potential Careers in Mental Health with a Bachelor’s

  • Psychiatric Care Coordinator:
    Psychiatric care coordinators work with a treatment team committed to provide therapeutic interventions for patients. They do not design interventions at the bachelor's level but provide education and case management to patients as well as administrative support. Care coordinators carry out and coordinate the therapeutic intervention plan designed by a psychologist or psychiatrist for a given patient.
  • Mental Health Admissions Advisor:
    Mental health admissions advisors work for private and public mental health facilities in order to field calls by prospective patients and their families. They are then tasked with coordinating the admissions process for the patient. They need to know the categories for admission to a psychiatric facility and also need to know about insurance coverage issues in order to help the family or patient determine how to pay for the treatment.
  • Family Advocate:
    Family advocates can work in a variety of settings, such as in a foster care or child protective services agency, a Head Start program, or in some other social work setting. They provide care and support to families through education, informal group therapeutic interventions, and guidance.
  • Victim's Advocate:
    Victim's advocates tend to work for a district attorney's office in a county or municipality. Their role is to help gather information and resources for both the district attorney and the victims so that the latter are able to navigate the court system and seek relief from harm that has been committed against them. They also often accompany victims to court and explain the court process to the victim and their family.
  • Probation Officer:
    Probation officers work with other law enforcement professionals to ensure that people accused and/or convicted of crimes are kept from committing further crimes. They have regular meetings with people who have been placed on probation to ensure that they are meeting the guidelines of their probation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, candidates who have taken courses in criminal justice in addition to their bachelor's in psychology can be considered for employment as probation officers.
Options to Advance

The most obvious and best means of advancing in the mental health field is to at least earn a master's degree in mental health counseling or a related field. Most jobs in the field - such as mental health counselor, marriage and family counselor, school counselor, and drug and alcohol counselor positions - are not entry-level. All those who hold such positions have a master's degree as an absolute minimum. Most of these positions require post-graduate licensure, as well. This entails having your master's degree and completing clinical hours to achieve state licensure.

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