Mental Health Certificate (MHC)
Program Course Descriptions

Emphasis is on developing skills of writing, reading, analytical thinking, and research. Students are introduced to thought provoking ideas in readings from a variety of disciplines and learn to organize material, analyze ideas, and produce clear writing. Fulfills open and liberal arts electives.

Provides the instruments to explore and evaluate personal values, motives, feelings, needs, attitudes, interests and personality traits especially as they pertain to awarenesses which will help a Human Services worker; and explores personal and societal prejudices, stereotyping behaviors, and biases.

Explores the process of socalization and the relationship between the mental health delivery system and current social issues. Examines social issues from the functionalist, conflict and interactionist perspectives. Introduces students to the role local, state and federal governments play in responding to social issues and how students can become civically engaged in affecting public policy decisions and priorities. Fulfills open and liberal arts electives. (Formerly MEH205)

The field of mental health work will be examined, including the skills and abilities that a mental health worker needs to develop; the types of people needing help and where; basic theories of mental health and mental illness. Investigates the mental health field from a historical perspective and discusses current issues in this field. Upon completion of this course, students will know the basic areas of knowledge and practical applications this program encompasses.

Systematic study of behavior including the development of psychology as a science, the biological basis of behavior, learning and memory, motivation, sensation and perception, personality development, cognitive processes, maturation and development, and adjustment. Fulfills open, liberal arts, social science, and behavioral science electives.

Designed to help develop individual and group interaction skills based on historical and contemporary models applicable in the field of Human Services work. Utilizing audio and video taping; role play; and active classroom participation in exercises designed to demonstrate competence in appropriate listening skills, problem solving, and decision making strategies.

Examines key life events leading to increased insight, change, adaptation, growth, stress and/or crisis in the life of an individual. Concentration on interpersonal relationships, social cohesion and conflict. Coping behaviors, models and counseling approaches to stress and crisis intervention will be studied and practiced in class situations.

Through professionally supervised work with people in human service agencies and on-campus faculty guided seminars, students should be able to: critically examine their own values and personal attitudes toward the people they serve; communicate effectively with their fellow workers and the people they serve; utilize the skills they have learned by providing the appropriate support for the people they serve. (120 hours of field placement per semester and 2 hours of seminar per week.)