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What you will earn

  • Montana State University will award you a graduate certificate in Mental Health Support upon successful completion of 12 credits in this program.
  • This is not a mental health license-granting program. If you want to use the courses as part of your degree program, please reach out to the director.

Overview

The graduate online certificate in mental health support will provide mental health training for career professionals to better support those who work in environments that intersect with human services. This certificate requires 12 credits of online coursework. Coursework is focused on development and helping theories, multicultural and diversity/inclusion education and support, helping skills and attending behavior, crisis management and trauma, reducing stigma around mental health, consultation, career, and leadership theory. This certificate program is offered summers only to accommodate faculty schedules as well as to increase accessibility to those working in K-12 as well as the university setting.

Students must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field with a GPA of 3.0 to apply. However, we highly encourage motivated students with a GPA less than 3.0 to contact us to discuss the application process.

The MSU Mental Health Support certificate program provides individual academic advisement and tailors a program of study based on individual student academic backgrounds. 

As a reminder, university credits can be used for most Montana licensure renewals. Please see the Office of Public Instruction’s Educator Licensure website for specifics regarding university credits.

For more information about the program:

Contact Dr. Ed Dunbar, program director, at edward.dunbar@montana.edu for more information.

Curriculum

HDCO 540: Mental Health, Identity Development, and Understanding

The goal of this course is to provide students with the foundational concepts of mental health and professional issues that can be present due to identities, values, and experiences. This course lays the groundwork for creating and maintaining an inclusive environment while better understanding lifespan development, identity and multicultural awareness and humility, as well as ethical considerations for helping others with mental health concerns.

HDCO 541: Introduction to Mental Health Practice

This course will be an introduction to resources, concepts, and referral processes involved in the practice of community mental health support. Students can expect to have a good understanding of the concepts around mental health being part of whole health, crisis response, mental health referral processes, and how bias can play a role in responding to individuals who may be experiencing mental health concerns.

HDCO 542: Communication and Helping Skills

This course will provide students with foundational concepts about basic communications skills for non-licensed helping professionals. This course is focused on having intentional and productive difficult conversations, recognizing concerns, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care. 

AC 508: Counseling Theories in an Addictions Setting

This course provides students with knowledge and skills for conducting interviews and having intentional and difficult conversations in various settings. The course will include basic addictions interviewing and build on HDCO542 with more communication skills inclusive of motivational interviewing techniques, and models to prepare students to work within human services and serve their communities.

 

Apply to the Graduate School

Curriculum

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