Online Mental & Behavioral Health Certificates: Program Reviews

Mental Health Counseling Licensure Prep Certificates (Post-Master’s)

These certificate programs are designed to prepare students for eligibility for state licensure in one or more of the following occupations:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

The question of license eligibility can be tricky, however, since requirements can vary widely from state to state. Before you enroll, therefore, it’s critical that you:

• Determine the specific type of licensure you’re interested in
• Confirm that the certificate program you’re considering will fulfill eligibility requirements in the state where you intend to practice

Examples of schools with this certificate type:

• Butler University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Lamar University
• Minnesota State University Moorhead
• University of Mary
• University of South Dakota

Grad Certificates for Current Clinicians and Professionals/Students in Related Fields

These certificate programs are designed for:

• Current degree holders with professional clinical licensure seeking to pick up needed CE credits by earning a mental or behavioral health continuing education (CE) certificate online.
• Current professionals in a range of fields (nursing, education, psychology, counseling, administration, etc.) interested in adding to their skills and advance their careers by earning a non-licensure certificate.

Many of these CE and non-licensure certificate programs can be completed 100% online with no campus visits or in-person clinical training requirements.

Most programs require a previously earned bachelor’s or master’s degree in education, mental health, or counseling-related field.

In some cases, credits earned in these mental and behavioral health certificate online programs can be applied toward a master’s degree in mental or behavioral health or a closely related major.

Schools offering this certificate type include:

• Arizona State University (non-licensure)
• Colorado State University (non-licensure)
• Columbia Southern University (CE)
• Grand Canyon University (non-licensure)
• New York University (CE)
• The Ohio State University (CE)
• Purdue University Global (non-licensure)
• Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (non-licensure)
• University of Michigan (CE)
• University of San Diego (CE)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison (CE)

Entry-Level Undergraduate Certificates

Entry-level undergraduate online certificate programs in mental and behavioral health are designed to prepare students with knowledge and skills to land their first jobs.

They also provide current nonclinical workers in a closely related field (physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, social work, speech pathology, etc.) a way to expand their mental and behavioral health skill sets to advance their careers.

In addition, many offer courses that can be transferred into associate and bachelor’s degree programs.

Schools offering this type of undergrad certificate include:

• Century College
• Harding University
• University of Alaska Anchorage
• University of North Dakota

Common Courses

Legal and Ethical Issues in Mental Health Counseling

Survey of legal and ethical issues related to mental and behavioral health counseling practice. Particular emphasis is placed on current state and national board rules and regulations and accepted standards of ethical behavior in working with patients and colleagues in a range of practice settings.

Other topics include proper record keeping, professional and personal evolution and improvement, and patient advocacy.

Psychopharmacology

Foundational course in psychopharmacology (medications commonly used in the treatment of mental disorders) for non-medical practitioners. Emphasis is placed on clinical and practical applications.

Specific topics include:

• Effectiveness and side effects of psychotropic medications and how to strike the proper balance between them
• How to effectively collaborate with prescribing providers
• Special challenges related to the use of medications in the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction

Psychopathology and Evidence-Based Interventions

Introductory course in the diagnosis of mental disorders and the integration of evidence-based therapeutic interventions in professional mental health practice. Topics include:

• Review of the DSM-5 and its benefits and limitations
• The collection and analysis of relevant information to accurately diagnose mental disorders in light of factors such as race, sexual identity, religion, and economic and social class

Addiction Counseling

Introduction to the fundamentals of addiction counseling for students with basic counseling skills. Students gain comprehensive knowledge related to:

• Major research and theories of addiction
• The causes and diagnosis of substance abuse disorders
• The impact of addiction on individuals, families and others
• The application of this knowledge when working with clients

Trauma-Informed Care and Crisis Management

This course provides students with a fundamental awareness, understanding, and knowledge of trauma and how it impacts the lives of individuals and group members. Topics include:

• The concept of trauma-informed care
• How these services differ from the standard service-delivery system
• The successful use of trauma-informed practices in addressing client needs

Specialization Options

In many cases, students can tailor their certificate studies to focus on a particular area within the broader mental and behavioral health field. This may be accomplished by:

• Enrolling in a program in a specialized subject
• Choosing a concentration or specialization track offered within the certificate program itself

Below are examples of several specialized areas of study available from online mental health certificate programs:

Addiction Counseling

The addiction counseling specialization provides students with a comprehensive understanding of:

• The brain science underlying addiction
• The diagnosis of substance abuse disorders
• Multidimensional assessment and levels of care
• The processes of recovery
• The effect of addiction on marital and family relations

Behavioral Health Counseling

Behavioral health is a subset of the larger mental health field that focuses on disorders resulting from an individual’s behavioral issues. Students opting for the behavioral health counseling specialization develop foundational skills to identify damaging behaviors and apply proper techniques for their elimination or modification.

Adult Mental Health

The adult mental health specialization is designed for clinicians (doctors, psychologists, nurses, social workers, etc.) interested in treating adult populations in the areas of mental health, physical health, and substance abuse.

Students learn relevant assessment, intervention, and treatment skills along with strategies for the application of those skills in the student’s particular practice setting.

Mental Health in Education

Designed for current and prospective teachers, the mental health in education track prepares students to recognize and meet the emotional and social health needs of their students. Specific topics include:

• The educator’s proper role and capacity to address student mental health issues
• The application of diverse strategies in the classroom
• The effective use of community mental health resources in support of student well-being

Pediatric Mental Health

Through the development of assessment, intervention, and consultation skills, the pediatric mental health specialization prepares clinicians to address a variety of behavioral health needs of children, adolescents, and families

What are the admissions requirements for an online certificate in mental and behavioral health?

As you would expect, admissions requirements vary both by certificate type and the specific schools offering them. Here are some of the most common application requirements for mental and behavioral health certificates online and how they typically differ by program type:

• Degree

Programs leading to licensure eligibility typically require a previously earned master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or closely related major. Some programs also require completion of specific coursework in counseling or a related subject, and/or an internship or practicum.

Non-licensure programs commonly require either a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Undergrad/entry-level certificate programs typically follow the same admissions requirements for all undergrad students, which includes a high school diploma or GED.

• GPA

Programs typically state a minimum cumulative GPA on previous coursework, though specific minimums vary by program.

• Entrance exam scores

Postgraduate programs, whether they lead to license eligibility or not, may require GRE test scores. Not all programs have this requirement, however, and others make submitting scores optional.

Undergrad programs tend to follow the school’s general admission requirements, which usually require ACT or SAT scores.

• Other common application requirements

Additional requirements for post-grad certificate programs may include a resume or CV, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement or essay. International students will likely be required to provide proof of English proficiency.

How long do mental and behavioral health certificate programs take to complete online?

One of the most attractive features of mental and behavioral health certificates is that, unlike full degrees, you can earn one in a relatively short amount of time.

Program lengths typically range from a single semester to a full year. Self-paced and part-time programs may allow more time.

Factors impacting program length include:

• Total number of credits required
• Whether or not the program prepares graduates for licensure

How much do online behavioral and mental health certificate programs cost?

Costs for online mental and behavioral health certificate programs vary, sometimes substantially, from program to program. Common factors impacting program costs include:

• Whether the program is offered by a public or private institution (private school programs tend to cost more)
• Specific type of certificate offered (undergrad vs. graduate, license prep, continuing ed, etc.)

With that in mind, here are the current tuition rates for three mental and behavioral health certificate online programs to give you an idea of what you might pay:

Arizona State University

Online Integrated Behavioral Health – Clinical (Graduate Certificate)

Total Credits: 15

$1,175/credit

Century College

Mental and Behavioral Health Worker Certificate (Undergraduate Certificate)

Total Credits: 17

$218/credit

University of Mary

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Graduate Certificate)

Total Credits: 17

$665/credit

Can I earn my behavioral and mental health certificate entirely online?

It depends on the specific program.

Students in some non-licensure programs (those consisting entirely of academic coursework) will be able to complete all coursework online. Other programs are offered in a hybrid format (mixture of online and on-campus classes.)

The same goes for academic coursework in licensure-eligibility programs. Keep in mind, however, that students in licensure-eligibility programs are also required to participate in substantial in-person field training experiences.

Is financial aid available for online mental health certificate programs?

In most cases, yes. Students in mental and behavioral health online programs seeking student loans, particularly those made by the federal government, will likely be eligible for such loans as long as their schools have proper institutional accreditation.

Other potential financial aid sources include:

• Scholarships and grants
• Assistantships and fellowships
• Work-study
• Employer tuition reimbursement programs
• VA benefits (military vets)

Contact your school’s financial aid office for details.

Online Mental Health Counseling Master’s Degrees

Mental health counselors assess and treat individuals, couples, families, and other groups for a variety of mental health issues and disorders. They work in a range of and settings, including schools, prisons, parole and probation agencies, and mental health facilities.

State licensure as a mental health counselor typically requires a master’s degree. CACREP-accredited online mental health counseling master’s programs are available from multiple colleges and universities throughout the U.S.

Online Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

A master’s degree in applied behavior analysis prepares graduates to become highly competent professionals providing therapy services that focus on altering and improving specific behaviors in patients of all ages and in a wide range of practice settings.

There are numerous online ABA master’s programs available, many with 100% online academic coursework. To meet eligibility requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam, however, these programs also include substantial in-person supervised fieldwork experiences.

Online Graduate Certificates in Applied Behavior Analysis

These certificates offer an affordable and convenient way for individuals who have or who are working on a master’s degree in a closely related field to meet the BCBA exam eligibility requirements and become a certified applied behavior analyst.

Many ABA certificate programs feature 100% online didactic coursework. All include in-person fieldwork experiences.