BA in Health Counseling and Psychology
Location: AU Seattle
Credits for Degree: 180 quarter credits
Standard Mode of Instruction: Classroom
Standard time to completion: 36 months
Program Overview
The B.A. in Health Counseling and Psychology at Antioch University Seattle is an applied degree completion program embedded within a liberal arts undergraduate framework. It is designed for those with an interest in working at the intersection of wellness and mental health. Students undertake foundational coursework in psychology, health sciences, mind-body integration, and counseling, as well as basic research skills and clinical fieldwork. Graduates emerge with an integrative understanding of–and commitment to promoting– physical health, mental health, and wellbeing. The program addresses biological, social and behavioral factors of health, as well as how culture, geography, race and experiences factor into physical wellness. Students completing the major will gain the following competencies:
- Develop an understanding and appreciation of the complex interplay between one’s physical well-being and a variety of biological, psychological, and social factors.
- Learn how psychological research methods, theories, and principles can be applied to create and enhance integrative approaches for promoting health and treating illness.
- Learn the nature of the stress response and its impact on the etiology and course of many health problems.
- Apply foundational counseling skills to assist individuals in coping with psychosocial stress while increasing wellbeing.
- Develop skills for designing wellness programs to improve personal health habits and lifestyles.
- Acquire an understanding of the perspective of the individual in dealing with symptoms and complex healthcare systems and settings.
- Understand the impact that chronic, disabling, or life-threatening illnesses have on patients and their families.
- Discover how psychological principles and counseling methods can be applied to help patients manage and cope with chronic illness and increase wellness and resiliency.
Upon completion of the B.A. in Health Counseling and Psychology, graduates will be prepared to work in roles such as wellness coordinator, case manager, care coordinator, behavioral health specialist or residential site coordinator. As part of the major, students can pursue an optional emphasis area- such as wellness, trauma, addictions, or LGBTQ issues in healthcare-with a minimum of 12 credits of focused coursework. Graduates can also use the degree to pathway into graduate degrees at AUS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Couples and Family Therapy, Art Therapy and/or Drama Therapy.
MA/Graduate Pathway (12 credits)
The MA pathway provides an accelerated route for qualified students in the Health Counseling and Psychology Major to transition into a graduate counseling program at Antioch University Seattle while completing their undergraduate coursework. Requires acceptance into an AUS MA Program in Applied Psychology, either the MA in Clinical Mental Health (CMHC) or the MA in Couple and Family Therapy (CFT). Students apply to the MA program when they are within approximately 4 quarters of finishing their BA and have completed at least the required core psychology and health psychology coursework, and have begun the counseling coursework and supervised field experience. If accepted into an MA program, the student launches into the first 12 credits of their graduate program while completing the BA in Health Counseling and Psychology.
Optional Emphasis Areas (12 quarter credits minimum)
Students may elect an ‘emphasis’ of in-depth study prior to graduation. These emphasis areas provide students with a specialized area of knowledge and skills. Emphasis areas are framed by the student, approved by the academic advisor, and must comprise at least 12 quarter credits that cohere around a central topic. Examples include (but are not limited to): wellness, trauma, addictions, and LGBTQ issues in healthcare.
Current Tuition and Fees
University Tuition and Fees
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