Designed in response to a statewide need for enhanced community-based services, UMA’s Mental Health and Human Services program provides students interested in the human services, mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation professions with the skills, knowledge and practices they need to thrive in one of the many helping professions.
UMA’s unique and innovative program offers the Bachelor’s and the Associate’s degree. Coursework in both degree programs includes general education classes in combination with mental health, substance abuse, human services and child and family courses. Each degree program culminates with an internship experience.
UMA’s Associate of Science in Mental Health and Human Services allows you to specialize in one or more of several vitally important areas: substance abuse services, mental health treatment, developmental disabilities, early childhood services, child and adolescent services, or gerontology. As a graduate, you can find rewarding employment in a convalescent, geriatric, rehabilitation, substance abuse treatment, developmental disabilities, or mental health facility.
Graduates of the Bachelor’s program can pursue successful professional careers involving crisis stabilization, case management, counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation, income maintenance, job coaching, and other services in a variety of agencies and institutions. The Bachelor’s degree also fulfills the state requirement for Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community certification.
SKILLS YOU WILL ACQUIRE
| Social Service | Vocational |
|---|---|
| Handling crises Managing case loads Representing others, advocacy Providing psychosocial rehabilitation Developing individual service plans (ISPs) |
Job coaching Providing supported employment assistance Providing educational support Teaching life and career skills Administering job assistance programs |
| Communication | Organizational |
| Conducting intake interviews Counseling Teaching parenting skills Writing Reports Interviewing |
Supervising positions Coordinating support services Maintaining records Preparing reports Identifying and solving problems Administering programs |
Careers You Can Seek
UMA’s Mental Health and Human Services graduates have applied their skills in several areas. The range of occupational areas is demonstrated in the list below.
| Health And Human Services | Government |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community Case Management Community Support Worker Crisis Counselor Substance Abuse Worker Disabilities Determination Administration Family Support Services Recreational Therapist Nursing Home Administration |
Early Childhood Services Caseworker Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Community Educator Foster-Home Supervision |
| Non-Profit Service Agencies | Education |
| Employment Specialist (Job Coach/Job Developer) Therapist Legal/Court Advocate ADA Consultant Shelter Manager (homeless or abused women) Social Club Director Volunteer Coordinator Representative Payee Program Director, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Other Qualified Mental Health Workers Child and Youth Care Worker |
Special Education Technician Group Facilitator School-Based Case Management Mental Health Case Management Activities Director Early Childhood Intervention Behavioral Specialist |
*Baccalaureate or Graduate level study is generally required for these occupations.
