Mental Health Associate AAS: 560

(TP/SS): 560

THIS PROGRAM IS SUSPENDED EFFECTIVE SUMMER 2020. STUDENTS MAY NOT ENROLL IN SUSPENDED PROGRAMS. STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM PRIOR TO SUMMER 2020 WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GRADUATE WITH THIS DEGREE AFTER SPRING 2023. MHLT COURSES WILL NO LONGER BE OFFERED AFTER SPRING 2021.

Students are encouraged to apply to the mental health associate program prior to the semester they begin their studies. Students who plan to major in mental health associate will be assigned the temporary major of pre-mental health associate, with POS code 560, until they are officially admitted to the mental health associate program. The Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration at Takoma Park will assign a matriculated code once students are admitted to the mental health associate program.

This curriculum is designed to educate a mental health generalist who is trained for a variety of related occupations, rather than for a specific job. Students study a core of general education subjects combined with specialized courses related to a wide spectrum of human services. Part of the curriculum consists of supervised field experiences in several different kinds of agencies and institutions in the field of human services such as those in county and state mental health departments, community mental health organizations and agencies, gerontology, hospice, drugs and alcohol rehabilitation, corrections, and school systems, and in culturally disadvantaged areas.

The mental health associate curriculum has three objectives: (1) to prepare the career student who wants a technical curriculum for immediate paid employment upon graduation, (2) to provide the transfer student with an excellent foundation, and flexible background so that study may continue in the field of mental health, social work, or psychology, or some allied field, such as substance abuse, or gerontology, and (3) to permit a student to continue with an education on a part-time basis, while being gainfully employed.

In addition to the scholastic standards required of all students at the College, students in the mental health associate curriculum are expected to achieve a grade of C or better in each mental health and psychology course. Completion of all requirements for this curriculum will lead to the award of the AAS.

General Education Course Selections

Click here to view the Foundation/Distribution Courses for selection to fulfill the General Education Course Requirements.

General Education Requirements

All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.

Foundation Courses

ENGL 102 - Critical Reading, Writing, and Research 3 semester hours (ENGF)
MATH 117 - Elements of Statistics 3 semester hours (MATF)

Distribution Courses

BIOL 101 - General Biology 4 semester hours (NSLD)
COMM 108 - Foundations of Human Communication 3 semester hours (HUMD)
PSYC 102 - General Psychology 3 semester hours
(BSSD)

General Education Elective

World Language Course 3 semester hours †

OR
ASLP 100 - ASL I 3 semester hours
World Language Electives 3 semester hours †

OR
ASLP 110 - ASL II 3 semester hours

Other Requirements

ECON 201 - Principles of Economics I 3 semester hours
OR
POLI 101 - American Government 3 semester hours
ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours *
PSYC 221 - Introduction to Abnormal Psychology 3 semester hours
SOCY 100 - Introduction to Sociology 3 semester hours (BSSD)
Natural Science Distribution without Lab 3 semester hours (NSND) ***

Program Requirements

MHLT 101 - Introduction to Mental Health I 3 semester hours
MHLT 102 - Introduction to Mental Health II 3 semester hours
MHLT 112 - Group Dynamics I 3 semester hours
MHLT 200 - Practicum I, Fieldwork in Mental Health/Human Services 6 semester hours ‡
MHLT 201 - Practicum II, Fieldwork in Mental Health/Human Services 6 semester hours ‡
MHLT 213 - Group Dynamics II 3 semester hours

Total Credit Hours: 61

* ENGL 101 /ENGL 101A , if needed for ENGL 102 or elective (recommended PHED activities or HLTH).

*** NUTR 101 is recommended.

†Students may choose any World Language course (Including American Sign Language). Students are to enroll in the introductory and intermediate courses of the language they choose.

‡ See program coordinator for help with course selection.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:

Evaluate the impact of the history of the mental health movement, as it relates to human service professionals, and policies.
Integrate the political impact (local, regional, national, and international) on current MHLT trends, competencies, and characteristics of MHLT/Human services workers, and current industry trends.
Apply learned ethical principles, multicultural principles, and professional decorum germane to the MHLT industry.
Personify professional decorum and attire consistent with MHLT/Human Service Workers.
Operate with the highest standards of ethical principles, multicultural sensitivity, and professional comportment that indicates a robust understanding of these critical principles.
Exhibit professionalism and accountability, teamwork, and working for the common good of the client.
Research, and develop supportable analysis in written assignments, using APA 6th edition format.
Apply knowledge of the MHLT field, theoretical orientations, and common practice.
Apply group work knowledge of the progression of the groups and effective theoretical orientation.
Integrate knowledge and understanding of group dynamics theory; exhibit an understanding of leadership skills; the application of current group methods; and apply non-verbal communication skills to fieldwork.
Apply non-verbal communication skills to fieldwork. assignments, and field placements.