Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Arts
Nature of the Program
The Mental Health and Addiction Studies Program is designed for students with a broad-based interest in the human condition and serving their communities. Graduates are qualified for entry-level occupations in addiction, mental health and family support services, and are also prepared for graduate studies in counseling, occupational therapy, public health or other health-related disciplines.
The core coursework explores the history, theories and concepts of mental health and mental illness, as well as investigation of the structures and service delivery mechanisms for prevention, intervention, and treatment of mental disorders, with a concentrated focus on addiction and recovery. Through selection of certain elective groups, students also have the opportunity to build deeper knowledge in disabilities, aging, wellness, and/or diversity.
Admissions for 2025-2026
- First-time students who meet university requirements are directly admitted to the Mental Health and Addiction Studies major
- Students transferring into the major from another institution must have a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0
- Students seeking admission from other majors within WVU must have a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0
Major Code: 5003
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations | ||
| F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
| Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
or ENGL 103 | Accelerated Academic Writing | |
| F2A/F2B - Science & Technology | 4-6 | |
| F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | |
| F4 - Society & Connections | 3 | |
| F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past | 3 | |
| F6 - The Arts & Creativity | 3 | |
| F7 - Global Studies & Diversity | 3 | |
| F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree) | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 31-37 | |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Requirements | 60 | |
| Mental Health and Addiction Studies Major Requirements | 60 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
| Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 | 24 | |
| CAHS 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
| General Electives | 34 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Mental Health and Addiction Studies Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum grade of C- is required in all CDFS and COUN courses. | ||
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEF 8) | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GEF 8) | 3 |
| CDFS 110 | Families Across the Life Span (GEF 4) | 3 |
| PSYC 281 | Introduction to Psychological Disorders (GEF 7) | 3 |
| CAHS 300 | Career Exploration in Applied Human Sciences | 3 |
| COUN 201 | Foundations of Mental Health Intervention | 3 |
| COUN 240 | Introduction to Addiction Studies | 3 |
| COUN 301 | Interpersonal Communication Skills | 3 |
| COUN 303 | Introduction to Helping Professions | 3 |
| COUN 320 | Prevention in Mental Health | 3 |
| COUN 330 | Addiction Screening & Assessment | 3 |
| COUN 340 | Counseling Techniques | 3 |
| COUN 350 | Families & Addiction | 3 |
| COUN 400 | Diversity and Human Relations | 3 |
| CDFS 416 | Trauma, Resiliency, and Children | 3 |
| COUN 485 | Capstone in Mental Health and Addiction Studies | 3 |
| Select any combination of four of the following courses: | 12 | |
| Disability-Related Courses: | ||
| Special Education in Contemporary Society | ||
| Disability and the Family | ||
| Lifespan Disability Policy | ||
| Disability and Society | ||
| Aging-Related Courses: | ||
| Introduction to Gerontology | ||
| Rural Gerontology | ||
| Public Policy of Aging | ||
| Aging, Women and Culture | ||
| Communication and Aging | ||
| Death and Dying | ||
| Wellness-Related Courses: | ||
| Enhancing Health and Well-being | ||
| Mindfulness for Health and Well-being | ||
| Nutrition/Activity/Health | ||
| Introduction to Exercise Psychology | ||
| Diversity-Related Courses: | ||
| Introduction to Africana Studies | ||
| African American Literature | ||
| African American Literature | ||
| Introduction: Native American Studies | ||
| Race and Ethnic Relations | ||
| Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies | ||
| Women in Appalachia | ||
| Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies | ||
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CAHS 191 | 2 | SOC 101 (GEF 8) | 3 |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | CDFS 110 (GEF 4) | 3 |
| PSYC 101 (GEF 8) | 3 | ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 |
| GEF 2 | 6 | GEF 8 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | GEF 3 | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| COUN 201 | 3 | PSYC 281 (GEF 7) | 3 |
| GEF 5 | 3 | COUN 240 | 3 |
| GEF 6 | 3 | COUN 301 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| COUN 303 | 3 | COUN 340 | 3 |
| COUN 330 | 3 | COUN 350 | 3 |
| Major Elective 1 | 3 | CAHS 300 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | Major Elective 2 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| COUN 400 | 3 | CDFS 416 | 3 |
| COUN 320 | 3 | COUN 485 | 3 |
| Major Elective 3 | 3 | Major Elective 4 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 2 | General Elective | 2 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Mental Health and Addiction Studies
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Describe the impact of mental health, mental disorders and recovery on individuals, families, and communities.
- Describe the vulnerabilities, resiliencies, protective factors, and prevention strategies for mental health across the lifespan.
- Describe the foundations of the services and structures of the modern behavioral health system.
- Explain the impact of trauma on development and integrate trauma-informed theory and concepts when addressing issues of mental health.
- Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal skills for engaging those with mental disorders.
- Identify challenges for individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and communities, and describe the unique needs and barriers to care for these individuals.
- Apply ethical principles and ethical decision-making models in mental health settings.