Degree Highlights
- Complete our 100% online program in just five semesters.
- Increase your skills and knowledge as a mental health professional without the need for licensure.
- Align your courses with community mental health agencies, treatment centers, career planning, and pastoral care.
- Train in areas such as QP, Intake Specialist, and Behavioral Specialist roles for mental health workers.
- Receive a rigorous education with a Christ-centered foundation.
For over 30 years, Montreat College’s School of Adult and Graduate Studies has empowered students to acquire essential skills, complete their degrees, and advance their careers. Montreat offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs both in the classroom and online.
How soon can I start?
With six start dates a year for most programs you have the flexibility to start when makes the most sense for you. Chances are we have classes starting in the near future, providing you the opportunity to move forward with your academic goals. Please see the admissions page for specific enrollment and start dates.
What are the admissions requirements?
Applicants must submit the following for admissions consideration:
- Montreat College Application for Admission
- Official, final transcripts of all college courses taken (All final transcripts must include graduation information)
- Minimum 2.75 GPA over last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work
Apply for admission today!
What are the program requirements?
The program requirements can be found in the academic catalog.
Start your success story at Montreat.
Why Earn a Master of Arts in Mental Health and Wellness?
Montreat’s Master of Arts in Mental Health and Wellness program provides awareness, knowledge, and skills in ethical and cultural considerations, counseling theory and skills, career and assessment tools, scoring and interpretation, and community mental health administration. This program can lead to careers in community service, non-profit agencies, and mental health agencies at various levels.
Growth Potential
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Job Market Growth
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Average annual salary
U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS) Estimates
Career Opportunities
Cost-conscious
commitment
Financing college can be intimidating, which is why we’ve developed programs and opportunities to help you.
Why Montreat?
At Montreat College, we understand the unique challenges adult learners face. That's why we've created a program that empowers you to balance work, family, and education without compromising your career ambitions.
Flexible scheduling
Our classes are conveniently scheduled, so you can earn your degree while still meeting your daily commitments.
Supportive community
Join a close-knit community of experienced faculty who are dedicated to your success. As an AGS student, you're part of the Montreat family.
Affordable tuition
We are committed to making a Christ-centered education as affordable as possible, so you can achieve your educational goals. That’s why Montreat College tuition is nearly 25% lower than the national average for private colleges and universities.
Relevant programs
Montreat College offers a wide range of degree programs and certificates in fields such as Business Administration, Education, Counseling, and more. Our programs are designed to align with industry trends and provide you with the skills employers are seeking.
Featured
Faculty
“At Montreat, you will learn effectively but also be trained to become a part of the next up-and-coming generation of counselors who go into the field to do impactful work for clients all over the world.”
Dr. Anna Lee Brown
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete the Master of Arts in Mental Health and Wellness program?
The Master of Arts in Mental Health and Wellness program requires completion of 30 credit hours and can be completed in 5 semesters.
How much does the Master of Arts in Mental Health and Wellness degree program cost?
Montreat College programs are competitively priced, and we offer multiple forms of financial aid to help you achieve your educational goals. Please see the current AGS Tuition and Fees page here. Also, please keep in mind that there are multiple college and government financial aid programs available to help mitigate the cost of your education. You can learn more about your financial aid options.
What are the length of online courses?
The courses for this graduate program are eight-week sessions. There are 2 sessions in a semester. To be considered a full-time graduate student, a student must take 6 credit hours per semester. The student must take 1 course (3 credit hours) the first eight-week session and 1 course (3 credit hours) the second eight-week session. Semesters in this program are Spring, Summer, and Fall.
What jobs can you pursue with a Mental Health and Wellness degree?
After completing this degree, career paths would include, QP, Clinician level I, II, and II, Intake Specialist, Behavioral Tech, Behavioral Specialist, Group Leader, Campus Counselors, Leadership team, ministry leader, and Peer Support Specialist Coordinator.
Additional training and certification may lead to other career paths including Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Medical and Health Services Manager, Emergency Food and Emotional Support AmeriCorps Associate, Community and Social Services Specialist, and Social and Human Services Assistants.
What is the job market like for people with a Mental Health and Wellness degree?
The nationwide job growth for this occupational area over the next 10 years is high and projected to be 16.21%. North Carolina ranks seventh of the top 10 states with the most job postings over the last 12 months. Between 2014 and 2018, total conferrals nationally were 275 which was a 1,209% increase over the previous four years.
What courses will I study?
COUN 5211 Professional Orientation to Counseling
This course will be an introductory exploration of the history of counseling as a profession as well as current trends in the practice of clinical mental health counseling. Students will begin to explore the various settings in which counseling can take place and the specialties within the profession, in addition to professional counseling licensure and credentialing. Additional topics covered in this course in an introductory way include counselor self-care, consultation, professional counseling organizations, advocacy, ethics, and multicultural competency.
COUN 5212 Ethics and Ethical Practice in Counseling
This course will examine ethical standards and ethical decision making for the practice of counseling. Applicable codes of ethics will be examined and case studies will be used to challenge students to think critically about ethics and ethical decision-making. Ethical issues in individual, group, family, and couples counseling will be covered, as well as multicultural considerations. The course will also address confidentiality, informed consent, boundaries, multiple relationships, supervision, and consultation within an ethical framework.
COUN 5221 Counseling Skills
This course will provide students an opportunity to continue to develop counseling microskills as well as foundational skills in interviewing in the helping professions. Students will videotape role-played sessions and participate in peer review as well as review with course instructor.
COUN 5214 Counseling across the Lifespan
This course will provide an overview of human development across the lifespan, from birth until death and explore critical considerations for counseling individuals across these stages of development.
COUN 5215 Multicultural Counseling
This course will provide students an opportunity to begin to develop skills for multicultural competency when providing counseling services to clients of diverse backgrounds. Multicultural competencies will be reviewed and students will explore their own identity as a cultural being.
COUN 5241 Career Counseling
This course will provide an introductory exploration of career development across the lifespan, career-counseling theories, assessments relevant to career counseling, and occupational information sources. The course will allow students opportunity to role-play, consider case studies, and create a career intervention for a chosen population.
COUN 5216 Assessment in Counseling
This course will provide an overview of assessment methods and tools used in counseling, including intakes as well as standardized assessments. Ethical standards for the use of assessments in counseling will be reviewed. Students will experience taking an assessment as well as provide a critical review of assessments.
COUN 5251 Crisis Intervention/Crisis Counseling
This course will provide students with an overview of counseling skills for working in crisis and trauma situations as well as crisis intervention theory. Students will review case studies and create a crisis resource for a client population or counseling setting of interest. This course will also provide an overview of the nature of substance use, abuse, and dependency. Education, prevention, treatment, and recovery will be addressed.
COUN 5223 Group Counseling
This course will provide an overview of theory and principles of effective group work provide students an opportunity to develop skills in using group techniques, and plan activities for groups. Students will participate in a group experience during this course. Ethical standards for group counseling will be reviewed. Prerequisites: 5211, 5212, 5214, 5215, 5221
MMHW 5291 Community mental health topics and administration
This course will provide an overview of community mental health, legal considerations, administration and billing and program evaluation. During the course students will learn de-escalation techniques, CPR and First Aid, and the daily responsibilities required to work in community mental health.