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.
Admissions
Students must be admitted to West Virginia University to become students in the Bachelor of Arts in Mental Health and Addiction Studies Program.
- Direct admission to the MHAS program requires incoming freshmen students to have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.5.
- Students transferring into the major must have a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0
Admissions Requirements 2024-2025
The Admissions Requirements above will be the same for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
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 | 30 | |
Mental Health and Addiction Studies Program Requirements | 51 | |
Mental Health and Addiction Studies Major Requirements | 39 | |
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, and 6 | 21 | |
EDHS 191 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
General Electives | 8 | |
Total Hours | 30 |
Mental Health and Addiction Studies Program Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEF 8) | 3 |
SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GEF 8) | 3 |
WGST 170 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies (GEF 7) | 3 |
CDFS 110 | Families Across the Life Span (GEF 4) | 3 |
CDFS 112 | Introduction to Family Processes and Dynamics (GEF 8) | 3 |
CDFS 210 | Introduction to Parenting | 3 |
GERO 212 | Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
PSYC 241 | Introduction to Human Development | 3 |
PSYC 281 | Introduction to Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
DISB 385 | Disability and Society | 3 |
Restricted Electives | 21 | |
Diversity Elective | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
Introduction to Africana Studies | ||
African American Literature | ||
African American Literature | ||
The Many Latin Americas | ||
Race and Ethnic Relations | ||
Women in Appalachia | ||
Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies | ||
Disability Electives | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
COUN 491 | Professional Field Experience * | |
Special Education in Contemporary Society | ||
Disability and the Family | ||
Lifespan Disability Policy | ||
Aging Electives | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
Rural Gerontology | ||
Public Policy of Aging | ||
Aging, Women and Culture | ||
Communication and Aging | ||
Death and Dying | ||
Wellness Electives | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
Enhancing Health and Well-being | ||
Mindfulness for Health and Well-being | ||
Nutrition/Activity/Health | ||
Exercise Psychology | ||
Total Hours | 51 |
- *
COUN 491 is only offered in the summer term.
Mental Health and Addiction Studies Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A minimum grade of C- is required in all CDFS and COUN courses. | ||
COUN 201 | Foundations of Mental Health Intervention | 3 |
COUN 230 | Life Choices | 3 |
COUN 240 | Introduction to Addiction Studies | 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 |
COUN 455 | Ethics in Mental Health and Addiction Settings | 3 |
COUN 485 | Capstone in Mental Health and Addiction Studies | 3 |
CDFS 414 | Adolescent Problems and Disorders | 3 |
CDFS 416 | Trauma, Resiliency, and Children | 3 |
Total Hours | 39 |
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | PSYC 101 (GEF 8) | 3 |
GEF 3 | 3 | SOC 101 (GEF 8) | 3 |
EDHS 191 | 1 | ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 |
CDFS 110 (GEF 4) | 3 | WGST 170 (GEF 7) | 3 |
GEF 2 | 6 | GEF 5 | 3 |
16 | 15 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
COUN 201 | 3 | CDFS 210 | 3 |
COUN 230 | 3 | PSYC 241 | 3 |
CDFS 112 (GEF 8) | 3 | PSYC 281 | 3 |
GERO 212 | 3 | COUN 240 | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | GEF 6 | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
DISB 385 | 3 | COUN 320 | 3 |
COUN 303 | 3 | COUN 340 | 3 |
COUN 330 | 3 | COUN 350 | 3 |
General Elective | 3 | Select one of the following: | 3 |
General Elective | 3 | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | ||
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
COUN 400 | 3 | CDFS 416 | 3 |
CDFS 414 | 3 | COUN 455 | 3 |
Select two of the following: | 6 | COUN 485 | 3 |
Select two of the following: | 6 | ||
General Elective | 2 | ||
14 | 15 | ||
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