Behavioral Health AA, Statewide Program: 616

: 616

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, behavioral health is the study of “mental health and substance abuse, life stressors and crises, stress related physical symptoms, and health behaviors”. It is a dynamic and growing field that focuses on promoting positive health behaviors while reducing or eliminating health risk behaviors. The goal of this program is to foster resilience in an environment that supports students from diverse backgrounds and life experience. The program is designed to transfer to UMBC’s baccalaureate social work program at the Universities at Shady Grove campus. The program also serves to train students for entry-level positions as aides or technicians in various mental health disciplines.

General Education Course Selections

Click here to view the Foundation/Distribution Courses for selection to fulfill the General Education course requirements.

Suggested Course Sequence

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

General Education Requirements

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)
NUTR 101 - Introduction to Nutrition 3 semester hours (NSND)
SOCY 100 - Introduction to Sociology 3 semester hours (BSSD)
PSYC 102 - General Psychology 3 semester hours (BSSD)
World Language Elective 3-4 semester credits (HUMD) †
Arts Distribution 3 semester hours (ARTD)

Institutional Requirement Courses

COMM 108 - Foundations of Human Communication 3 semester hours (HUMD)
World Language Elective 3-4 semester credits (GEIR) †

Program Requirements

ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours *
OR
Health Elective 3 semester hours
POLI 101 - American Government 3 semester hours
OR
ECON 201 - Principles of Economics I 3 semester hours
PSYC 203 - Human Growth and Development During the Life Span 3 semester hours
OR
PSYC 215 - Child Psychology 3 semester hours
PSYC 221 - Introduction to Abnormal Psychology 3 semester hours
HLTH 200 - Health Issues in Human Sexuality 3 semester hours
OR
HLTH 131 - Drugs and Lifestyle Wellness 3 semester hours
OR
HLTH 170 - Introduction to Aging 3 semester hours
BEHE 100 - Introduction to Behavioral Health Promotion 3 semester hours
BEHE 200 - Group Dynamics 3 semester hours
BEHE 201 - Field Experience in Behavioral Health 5 semester hours
HLTH 225 - Introduction to Health Behaviors 3 semester hours

Total Credit Hours: 60

* ENGL 101 /ENGL 011 , if needed for ENGL 102 or HLTH elective.

† World Language Electives: Choose a General Education language (SPAN, FREN, and CHIN) offering a 101, 102, and 201 sequence.

For students transferring to UMBC: students are required to complete one semester of a language at a 200 level. Students may be able to complete this requirement as part of the associate’s degree if they test out of the 100 level class. If not, UMBC at Shady Grove will allow students to transfer up to six additional credits of language.

Program Outcomes

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

Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in behavioral health promotion including: the determinants of mental health; stress; coping; anxiety, mood and personality disorders; substance abuse; and treatment.
Identify and model examples of ethical and professional behavior.
Demonstrate an understanding of group processes and behaviors including: identity, formation, structure, power, influence, leadership, and performance.
Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.
Use critical thinking skills to solve problems relevant to the practice of behavioral health.