Breadcrumb
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) – Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health Concentration
Is a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) right for me?
UCM’s BAS degree is designed for students who have completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) at the community college level. If you do not have an AAS degree but are interested in behavioral health, consider exploring UCM’s related programs.
Are you a human services worker, psychiatric technician, occupational therapy assistant or practical nurse ready to expand your impact in community mental health? If you hold an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and want to deepen your skills in mental health, trauma support and human services, the University of Central Missouri’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Health is designed for you.
Offered through an interdisciplinary partnership between Criminal Justice and Criminology, Human Development and Family Science and Psychological Science, this program allows you to maximize your transfer credits to complete your bachelor’s degree faster. You will build a well-rounded foundation in behavioral sciences, crisis intervention and client advocacy to prepare for leadership in helping professions.
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) - Behavioral Health, BAS at a Glance
Degree Type: Bachelor of Applied Science (AAS Required) | Credit Hours: 120 Hours
Degree Can be Taken: Online
Admission Requirements: Completion of an Associate of Applied Science Degree
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Alan Strathman Erica Spurgeon |
What you’ll learn in the Behavioral Health program
UCM’s BAS in Behavioral Health blends psychological principles, family science frameworks and criminal justice perspectives. You will develop practical competencies for understanding human behavior, supporting individuals through trauma and navigating community health systems.
Through our interdisciplinary coursework, you will study:
- Behavioral and Psychological Dynamics: Gain insight into human development, psychological theories and behavioral patterns to better support clients facing mental health and addiction challenges.
- Community Mental Health and Prevention: Learn effective crisis intervention techniques, prevention strategies and advocacy methods for diverse populations.
- Family and Systems Frameworks: Understand how social, economic and familial environments impact individual well-being and community health.
- Interdisciplinary Helping Skills: Combine perspectives from psychology, human services and victim advocacy to deliver holistic support in community and institutional settings.
Behavioral Health (BS05): 15 Semester Hours
Select 6 Hours from the Following:
Unique learning opportunities in Behavioral Health
- Built-in Mental Health Certificate: Stand out in the job market with an embedded Mental Health Certificate. Complete a focused cluster of targeted courses to gain specialized mental health credentials alongside your degree.
- Real-World Internship Experiences: Gain invaluable hands-on experience through customizable internships across criminal justice, family services or psychological healthcare environments.
- Faculty-Mentored Independent Research: Work directly with Ph.D.-level faculty on independent study projects, allowing you to explore specialized topics in behavioral health, addiction or victim advocacy.
- Interdisciplinary Academic Synergy: Benefit from combined resources, expertise and career networks across three prominent UCM departments: Psychological Science, Human Development and Family Science and Criminal Justice and Criminology.
Fast facts about Behavioral Health, BAS
- Interdisciplinary Excellence: Powered by three collaborative academic units (Psychological Science, Human Development and Family Science and Criminal Justice & Criminology).
- Nationally Recognized Transfer Support: Named to the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll, UCM makes it easy to apply your AAS technical credits toward a bachelor’s degree.
- Targeted Mental Health Credential: Opportunity to complete a stand-alone Mental Health Certificate while fulfilling your degree requirements.
- Active Student Community: Connect with peers and professionals through student groups like the UCM Psychology Club.
Talk to an Admissions Representative
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Behavioral Health, BAS
As a UCM student, you’ll have a dedicated financial aid advisor as part of your six-person student support team to help you navigate grants, loans and scholarship options. The University of Central Missouri offers general university awards and financial aid packages to make your education affordable.
Additionally, Behavioral Health students can utilize the UCM Scholarship Finder to search for dedicated awards across the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies and the College of Health, Science, and Technology.
The next steps to earning a BAS in Behavioral Health are yours:
① Request information about UCM’s Behavioral Health, BAS.
Career opportunities and outcomes for Behavioral Health, BAS
As public health systems place greater emphasis on mental health, addiction treatment and holistic wellness, trained behavioral health professionals are in high demand.
A BAS in Behavioral Health from UCM prepares you for entry-level and supervisory roles across community mental health centers, non-profit organizations, social services and victim advocacy programs.
Possible bachelor's degree jobs and career paths include:
- Case manager
- Behavioral health technician
- Prevention specialist
- Program coordinator
- Peer support specialist
- Victim services coordinator
- Community health educator
- Youth and family advocate
Apply to the Behavioral Health, BAS Program
The UCM Career and Life Design Center
The UCM Career and Life Design Center is here for undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni from all majors, identities and interests. We are a hub for career exploration and career readiness. We offer resources and support for:
- exploring career options
- life design (explore and build career and life journeys, designing next steps)
- job and internship searching
- document reviews (resumes, cover letters, personal statements, etc.)
- interviews (coaching and mock interviewing)
- Professional Clothing Studio
- preparation for graduate school (application materials, exploring programs)
- and more!
Related Options
Frequently Asked Questions
You will gain an interdisciplinary foundation in mental health support, human development, crisis intervention and community advocacy. The curriculum combines courses from psychological science, family science and criminal justice to give you a complete understanding of behavioral health systems.
This program is ideal for individuals holding an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in a health or human services discipline — such as practical nursing, occupational therapy or emergency medical services — who want to advance into community mental health, case management or social services.
