Behavioral Health Counseling

Major: Behavioral Health Counseling
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 181.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.1508
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 21-1011

About the Program

Students apply their knowledge and practice the skills learned during the program via community-based learning and using Drexel University's state of the art Center for Inter-professional Clinical Simulation and Practice. Students then select from a broad variety of electives based on their career interests. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice principles are incorporated across the rigorous curriculum. The 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.

Additional Information

For more information about this major, visit the Counseling and Family Therapy Department on the College of Nursing and Health Professions website.

Degree Requirements 

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COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101.

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 Program. 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.

 Sample Plans of Study  

4 year, no co-op

*

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101.

4 year, one co-op

*

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Drexel University has long been known for its cooperative 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 webpage 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 in Center City. A Clinical Learning Resource Center offers a simulation lab where students practices skills needed in their chosen behavioral health career. Sessions are video captured to allow students the opportunity to observe and critique their performance.

Behavioral Health Counseling Faculty