Behavioral Health Counseling
About the Program
Bachelor of Science Degree: 180.0 quarter credits
The Behavioral Health Counseling program focuses on developing competencies needed to engage in clinical services and support for people experiencing mental illnesses and and substance use disorders. Students create a plan of study and select courses based on interests in careers such as psychiatric rehabilitation, prevention and treatment of substance use disorders, child and adolescent services, forensic behavioral health and related areas within systems of care for people with behavioral health problems.
During the freshman and sophomore years, students develop a foundation for clinical practice by studying humanities, social sciences, writing, biological sciences, math and research methods. Behavioral Health Counseling (BHC) courses build on this foundation by demonstrating that biological, psychological, and social perspectives are needed to deliver today's evidence-based practices—and to develop the next generation of innovative interventions. BHC courses offer a comprehensive selection of essential subjects and advanced practice electives that focus on establishing therapeutic relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and needs.
The Behavioral Health Counseling major also offers a co-op experience in a clinical setting that greatly enhances the student’s preparation for employment after graduation and for graduate study in professional counseling, social work or psychology. For students interested in certification as addictions counselors, all program courses are accredited by the Pennsylvania Certification Board. Students may also pursue certification in psychiatric rehabilitation.
For additional information about this major, visit the Behavioral Health Counseling Department on the College of Nursing and Health Profession's site.
Degree Requirements
| General Education Requirements | ||
| UNIV NH101 | The Drexel Experience | 2.0 |
| Computing Requirement | ||
| CS 161 | Introduction to Computing | 3.0 |
| English Sequence | ||
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| Life Science | ||
| BIO 100 | Applied Cells, Genetics & Physiology | 3.0 |
| or BIO 107 | Cells, Genetics & Physiology | |
| Mathematics Sequence | ||
| MATH 107 | Probability and Statistics for Liberal Arts | 3.0 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences Electives * | 39.0 | |
| Free Electives | 51.0 | |
| Required Behavioral Health Counseling Courses | ||
| BACS 100 | Life Span Human Development | 3.0 |
| BACS 200 | Foundation of Behavioral Health Care | 3.0 |
| BACS 220 | Counseling Theory and Practice | 3.0 |
| BACS 230 | Genetics and Mental Health | 3.0 |
| BACS 232 | Ethics and Professional Responsibility | 3.0 |
| BACS 234 | Introduction to Addictive Disorders | 3.0 |
| BACS 236 | Psychiatric Rehabilitation Principles and Practices | 3.0 |
| BACS 255 | Multicultural Counseling | 3.0 |
| BACS 301 | Group Counseling I | 3.0 |
| BACS 304 | Cognitive and Behavioral Counseling I | 3.0 |
| BACS 310 | Recovery and Relapse Prevention | 3.0 |
| BACS 312 | Case Management Methods | 3.0 |
| BACS 320 | Crisis and Brief Intervention | 3.0 |
| BACS 325 | Psychopharmacology for Counselors | 3.0 |
| BACS 401 | Assessment and Treatment Planning | 3.0 |
| BACS 405 | Family-Focused Interventions | 3.0 |
| BACS 490 | Senior Research Project | 3.0 |
| BACS 499 | Readings in Behavioral Health | 1.0 |
| Advanced Program Electives | ||
| Select from the following: ** | 18.0 | |
| Behavioral Health Informatics | ||
| Child Psychopathology | ||
| Preventing Substance Abuse | ||
| Advanced Counseling Intervention | ||
| Addictions Counseling with Special Populations | ||
| Problem Gambling Interventions | ||
| Cognitive and Behavioral Counseling II | ||
| Child and Adolescent Support | ||
| Forensic Behavior Health Service | ||
| Group Counseling II | ||
| Co-Occurring Disorders | ||
| Psychiatric Rehabilitation Competencies | ||
| Total Credits | 180.0 | |
| * | Students enrolled in the Saturday Scholars program may have slightly different general elective requirements. Saturday Scholars students should check with their Advisor for guidance. |
| ** | Students select a minimum of 18.0 credits, and up to 33.0 credits of advanced program electives (as needed). |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Center. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
Sample Plans of Study
BS Behavioral Health Counseling: 4-Year Co-op Concentration
(Scroll down for BS Behavioral Health Counseling: 4-Year Non-Co-op Concentration)
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| MATH 107 | Probability and Statistics for Liberal Arts | 3.0 |
| UNIV NH101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Three (3) Humanities/Social Science electives | 9.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| UNIV NH101 | The Drexel Experience | 2.0 |
| Two (2) Humanities/Social Science electives | 6.0 | |
| Free electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| BACS 200 | Foundation of Behavioral Health Care | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| Two (2) Humanities/Social Science electives | 6.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| BACS 100 | Life Span Human Development | 3.0 |
| BACS 220 | Counseling Theory and Practice | 3.0 |
| BACS 236 | Psychiatric Rehabilitation Principles and Practices | 3.0 |
| BIO 100 or 107 | Applied Cells, Genetics & Physiology Cells, Genetics & Physiology | 3.0 |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| BACS 230 | Genetics and Mental Health | 3.0 |
| BACS 232 | Ethics and Professional Responsibility | 3.0 |
| CS 161 | Introduction to Computing | 3.0 |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| BACS 234 | Introduction to Addictive Disorders | 3.0 |
| BACS 255 | Multicultural Counseling | 3.0 |
| BACS 325 | Psychopharmacology for Counselors | 3.0 |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 12.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| BACS 301 | Group Counseling I | 3.0 |
| BACS 304 | Cognitive and Behavioral Counseling I | 3.0 |
| BACS Advanced Program elective | 3.0 | |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| BACS 310 | Recovery and Relapse Prevention | 3.0 |
| BACS Advanced Program elective | 3.0 | |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| BACS 320 | Crisis and Brief Intervention | 3.0 |
| BACS Advanced Program elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 9.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 11 | ||
| BACS 405 | Family-Focused Interventions | 3.0 |
| BACS 490 | Senior Research Project | 3.0 |
| BACS Advanced Program elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 12 | ||
| BACS 312 | Case Management Methods | 3.0 |
| BACS 401 | Assessment and Treatment Planning | 3.0 |
| BACS 499 | Readings in Behavioral Health | 1.0 |
| BACS Advanced Program Electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 13.0 | |
| Total Credit: 181.0 | ||
BS Behavioral Health Counseling: 4-Year Non-Co-op Concentration
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| UNIV NH101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| MATH 107 | Probability and Statistics for Liberal Arts | 3.0 |
| Three (3) Humanities/Social Science electives | 9.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| UNIV NH101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Two (2) Humanities/Social Science electives | 6.0 | |
| Free electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| BACS 200 | Foundation of Behavioral Health Care | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| Two (2) Humanities/Social Science electives | 6.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| BACS 100 | Life Span Human Development | 3.0 |
| BACS 220 | Counseling Theory and Practice | 3.0 |
| BACS 236 | Psychiatric Rehabilitation Principles and Practices | 3.0 |
| BIO 101 or 107 | Applied Biological Diversity, Ecology & Evolution Cells, Genetics & Physiology | 3.0 |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| BACS 230 | Genetics and Mental Health | 3.0 |
| BACS 232 | Ethics and Professional Responsibility | 3.0 |
| CS 161 | Introduction to Computing | 3.0 |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| BACS 234 | Introduction to Addictive Disorders | 3.0 |
| BACS 255 | Multicultural Counseling | 3.0 |
| BACS 325 | Psychopharmacology for Counselors | 3.0 |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| BACS 301 | Group Counseling I | 3.0 |
| BACS 304 | Cognitive and Behavioral Counseling I | 3.0 |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| BACS Advanced Program elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| BACS 310 | Recovery and Relapse Prevention | 3.0 |
| BACS Advanced Program elective | 3.0 | |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 12.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| BACS 320 | Crisis and Brief Intervention | 3.0 |
| BACS Advanced Program elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 9.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 11 | ||
| BACS 405 | Family-Focused Interventions | 3.0 |
| BACS 490 | Senior Research Project | 3.0 |
| BACS Advanced Program elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 12 | ||
| BACS 312 | Case Management Methods | 3.0 |
| BACS 401 | Assessment and Treatment Planning | 3.0 |
| BACS 499 | Readings in Behavioral Health | 1.0 |
| BACS Advanced Program electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 13.0 | |
| Total Credit: 180.0 | ||
Co-op/Career Opportunities
Drexel University has long been known for its co-operative education program, through which students mix periods of full-time, career related employment with their studies. The Behavioral Health Counseling curriculum includes one co-op option that exposes students to the varied work environments of behavioral health professionals.Co-op provides students with an opportunity to assess their personal strengths and interests for a career in behavioral health by observing successful mental health and addictions professionals in action. Co-op students work for six months in paid or unpaid positions consistent with their interests, abilities, and aptitudes.
After Graduation
Graduates of the Behavioral Health Counseling program are widely acknowledged by regional employers as being among their best prepared new employees. This reputation helps graduates easily find preferred employment in a variety of behavioral health care settings. Many graduates elect to continue their education in graduate and doctoral programs at Drexel or leading universities across the nation. Within Drexel, students may select excellent graduate programs preparing them for licensure as behavioral health clinicians and/or administrative, research, and behavioral health policy-making positions.
Career Opportunities
Behavioral health counseling professionals are employed in a wide range of venues. Counselors are needed in social service agencies, schools, health care facilities, and inpatient and residential treatment settings. Counselors work with children, adolescents, adults, and elderly individuals who experience disability due to mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Graduates who choose to enter the behavioral health workforce find immediate employment in areas such as psychiatric rehabilitation; family and child support services; addictions counseling; case management and services coordination; forensic mental health services; individual and group counseling; and crisis intervention.
The behavioral health care field is tremendously diverse and encompasses far more career opportunities than are listed here. There are career choices to be made at all levels of service — from direct care to administration and policy making. In this regard, students will find tremendous benefit both in the listings and outreach offered by Drexel’s Steinbright Career Development Center and in the diverse professional career experience our faculty bring to our students.
Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on post-graduate opportunities.
Facilities
The College of Nursing and Health Professions is located at Drexel University's Health Sciences Campus located in Center City. A Clinical Learning Resource Center offers a simulation lab where students practices skills needed in their chosen behavioral health professions careers. Sessions are video captured to allow students the opportunity to observe and critique their performance.
Courses
BACS 100 Life Span Human Development 3.0 Credits
This course introduces students to the physical, cognitive and psychological aspects of human development from birth through advanced old age. Topics include: environmental influences, perception, gender roles and sexuality, spirituality, motivation, life styles, and psychiatric disorders.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 200 Foundation of Behavioral Health Care 3.0 Credits
This course introduces the students to the historical and current contexts of program components that comprise community-based behavioral health systems. Topics include: work-force roles; regulatory policies and program practices; federal, state, and county program organizations; advocacy issues; and managed care systems issues.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 210 Behavioral Disorders 3.0 Credits
Clinical characteristics and diagnostic features of major psychiatric disorders are reviewed within the contexts of community-based treatment approaches. Topics include: etiological models, differential symptoms, diagnostic/functional assessment and treatment interventions.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 220 Counseling Theory and Practice 3.0 Credits
Surveys major counseling theories with emphasis upon study and practice of basic counseling competencies. Topics include: relationship building, effective communication and helping skills, common stages in counseling process, and helping skills with special populations.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 230 Genetics and Mental Health 3.0 Credits
This course explores genetic concepts and principles as they pertain to human variation in behavioral and general health disorders. Students obtain a firm grounding in the basic science and the tools used by researchers to explore the contribution of the genes (and their essential counterpart, the environment) to behavior.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 232 Ethics and Professional Responsibility 3.0 Credits
This course discusses the philosophical, legal and moral responsibilities of professionals in behavioral health and human services setting with a strong emphasis on counseling relationships. A wide array of ethical issues are presented and discussed. Moral dilemmas comprised of competing moral obligations are examined.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 234 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3.0 Credits
This course introduces the nature of addictions and the impairment in individuals who suffer from addictions. It includes a review of theories on substance disorders and approaches to identification, prevention and treatment. Topics include: historical perspectives, diagnosis, types of addictive behaviors, treatment, and current research.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 236 Psychiatric Rehabilitation Principles and Practices 3.0 Credits
This is an introductory survey courses which acquaints the student with the principles and practices of Psychiatric (or Psychosocial) Rehabilitation. It provides the student with an understanding of the manner in which Psychiatric Rehabilitation approaches, understands and assists the person with serious and persistent mental illness.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 250 Behavioral Health Informatics 3.0 Credits
This course introduces students to the uses and importance of computer technologies in transforming behavioral health care practice. Course sections cover both the science and practice applications of emerging technologies from psychotherapies, to medication management, and to quality care management.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 255 Multicultural Counseling 3.0 Credits
This course provides didactic information for use in the development of awareness and skills necessary for effective therapeutic relationships with clients of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 301 Group Counseling I 3.0 Credits
This course is an introduction to the theoretical base and skills used in conducting group counseling. Included are theories of group work, facilitation techniques, types and styles of groups and models of group functioning. Students participate in a group as a group member and to act as a group co-leader in order to practice leadership skills.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 304 Cognitive and Behavioral Counseling I 3.0 Credits
This course familiarizes the student with key cognitive-behavioral models used in therapy today. Differences and similarities are explored. Students are exposed to the philosophical models and the related techniques stemming from these models. Skills on how to conceptualize and work with a client are taught.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 310 Recovery and Relapse Prevention 3.0 Credits
The goal of recovery and relapse preventions is the development personal strategies that will help the person restructure their life in a way that will prevent a return to active addiction. This course helps define the role of professional counselor in understanding the dynamic of recovery from a clinical perspective.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 312 Case Management Methods 3.0 Credits
This course is an in-depth explorations of the definitions and methodologies of case management services. The course is designed to provide students with the most up to date research and clinical applications of services management in the practice of addictions counseling.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 320 Crisis and Brief Intervention 3.0 Credits
This course introduces student to the fundamental concepts, theories, strategies, and skills needed to understand and conduct effective crisis and brief intervention counseling. Particular attention is given to several types of crises commonly encountered in working within settings serving people who have long-term disabling psychiatric disorders.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 325 Psychopharmacology for Counselors 3.0 Credits
This course focuses on the mechanisms of action of psychiatric medications, and uses and limitations of psychopharmacology in the overall management of serious mental illness. The student will learn to work collaboratively with the consumer, and others, and the importance of integrating the use of medications with psychiatric rehabilitation approaches.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 350 Child Psychopathology 3.0 Credits
This course provides an understanding of childhood-onset behavioral, emotional, developmental, and learning disorders. Review of theories on the development of child psychopathology and approaches to identification, prevention and treatment of disorders. Students learn about assessment and ethical treatment of children.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 360 Preventing Substance Abuse 3.0 Credits
This course provides a comprehensive overview of prevention theories and prevention programming applications as regards substance use disorders. Course topics include: theories and models basic to prevention, science-based prevention strategies and model programs, strategic planning and outcome evaluation.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 367 Advanced Counseling Intervention 3.0 Credits
This course introduces students to current best practices when counseling clients with behavioral health disorders. Students are provided with training in the advanced counseling skills of Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy as well as introduced to experimental approaches to counseling this population.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: BACS 220 [Min Grade: C]
BACS 368 Addictions Counseling with Special Populations 3.0 Credits
This course involves the student in examinations of challenges for addictions counselors in working with frequently underserved populations represented by adolescents and elderly persons. Effective approaches to assessing and treating both youthful and older adult individuals with addiction disorders are explored and defined.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 370 Problem Gambling Interventions 3.0 Credits
This course covers basic areas of treatment knowledge and counseling skills necessary to effectively diagnose and assess the pathological gambler and define the necessary components for effective counseling interventions with problem gamblers.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 390 Special Topics in Mental Health 3.0 Credits
This course covers topics of particular interest to students in health sciences. In different terms, a variety of topics will be presented to the students. May be repeated twice for credit.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 2 times for 6 credits
BACS 401 Assessment and Treatment Planning 3.0 Credits
The focus of this course is learning the systematic, multi-disciplinary approach for gathering, interpreting, applying and recording data regarding clients in addictions and other behavioral health treatment settings. The most current screening, assessment, treatment planning and documentation approaches are covered.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 404 Cognitive and Behavioral Counseling II 3.0 Credits
This course extends BACS 304 by deepening the exploration of cognitive-behavioral therapy theory and methods. More emphasis and developing skills in conceptualization and treatment. Some focus on how clients can manage anger better and how therapists can take care of themselves appropriately.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: BACS 304 [Min Grade: C]
BACS 405 Family-Focused Interventions 3.0 Credits
This course gives students the knowledge, skills and attitudes to: identify and overcome the barriers that prevent family members from being full partners in the mental health treatment of their family member; define family from a culturally competent perspective; and provide mental health intervention in full partnership with families.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 410 Child and Adolescent Support 3.0 Credits
This course is based on the principles of Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP). The course gives students the knowledge, skills important to implementing a comprehensive care system for families and their children endorsed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 411 Forensic Behavior Health Service 3.0 Credits
The intersection between law and behavioral health services in the focus of this course. Topics include: the criminal justice system, criminal thinking, community and ethical barriers, biopsychosocial models that are specific to the forensic client and the growing base of knowledge about community corrections.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 412 Group Counseling II 3.0 Credits
This is an advanced course in the facilitation of group processes, with an emphasis on group counseling. The course provide skills in group facilitation including application of theory, tracking process and initiating interventions, working with special populations, incident management, treatment planning processes, and recording progress.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 414 Co-Occurring Disorders 3.0 Credits
This course introduces an integrated treatment approach for working with individuals who have both mental illness and substance use disorders. Topics include: assessment and treatment planning, strategies for coordinating dual interventions.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 420 Psychiatric Rehabilitation Competencies 3.0 Credits
The purpose of this advanced course is to help students develop the competencies necessary to implement the principles and practices of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. This is accomplished by engaging the student in an in-depth analysis of the tools and processes used to bring about outcomes related to community integration and the life quality.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 490 Senior Research Project 3.0 Credits
The students, with faculty supervision, plan and execute a term project that will integrate the academic and practical knowledge the students have acquired in their curriculum. The students develop objectives relevant to the project, critique the literature, present a plan for implementation, and complete the term project. May be repeated twice for credit.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 2 times for 6 credits
BACS 499 Readings in Behavioral Health 1.0-6.0 Credit
This course is designed to allow upper-class students to pursue specialized interest in specific topics in behavioral health science. May be repeated three times for credit.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 3 times for 9 credits
