Psychology
Major in Behavioral Health
About the BS in Behavioral Health
The Behavioral Health undergraduate program is anticipated to launch in Fall 2026 and will offer students a psychological foundation for understanding and addressing the complexities of behavioral health and overall well-being within individuals and communities. The program curriculum is structured around core psychology courses, behavioral health courses, experiential learning opportunities, and a capstone course. The degree will equip students with competencies to fill entry-level positions in behavioral health.
Why Behavioral Health?
Our Behavioral Health degree is for those who are seeking a direct undergraduate career pathway.
The Behavioral Health undergraduate program offers students a foundation for understanding and addressing the complexities of behavioral health and well-being within individuals and supports within communities. This behavioral health major is more applied and service-delivery oriented than the psychology major. There is some required foundational shared coursework with the psychology major. These psychology core courses must be taken first, prior to entering into the behavioral health coursework. The behavioral health sequence of coursework is unique from that offered within the psychology major and the specific set of behavioral health courses are designed to prepare the undergraduate students to apply for state certification as behavioral health support specialists and enter into related behavioral health careers.
How many credits is the Behavioral Health major?
The Behavioral Health major is 67 credits total. Students are required the complete the core courses listed below as well as a specific sequence of behavioral health coursework. Students must plan to take the behavioral health courses in order when offered. Currently this degree is only offered in Ellensburg.
It is very important to take all of the Required Core Psychology Courses (32 credits) in advance of enrolling in coursework for the Behavioral Health Courses (35 credits), as these courses are pre-requistes for the Behavioral Health coursework, which is sequenced and designed to be taken in one's final year at Central which may include a summer practicum.
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Required Core Courses: Credits (32)
- PSY 101 - General Psychology Credits: (5)
- PSY 300 - Research Methods in Psychology Credits: (5)
- PSY 362 - Introductory Statistics Credits: (5)
- PSY 313 - Developmental Psychology Credits: (4)
- PSY 453 - Theories of Personality Credits: (5)
- PSY 449 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: (4)
- PSY 478 - Behavioral Neuroscience Credits: (4)
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Behavioral Health Courses: Credits (35)
- PSY 402 - Intro to Behavioral Health Credits (4)
- PSY 405 - Behavioral Health Interventions I Credits (4)
- PSY 408 - Multicultural Competency, Law & Ethics Credits (4)
- PSY 410 - Behavioral Health Interventions II Credits (4)
- PSY 412 - Behavioral Health Practicum I Credits (4)
- PSY 482 - Telemental Health & Helping Skills Credits: (4)
- PSY 422 - Behavioral Health Practicum II Credits: (4)
- PSY 438 - Substance Use and Dependence Credits: (5)
- PSY 488 - Seminar in Behavioral Health Credits: (2)
Total Credits: 67
More Information
The department is preparing details of the application process with anticipation that will accept a cohort of students for Fall 2026 to move through the courses together with behavioral health courses scheduled for each quarter.
Please contact Cindy Myers, our Behavioral Health Program Coordinator, at Cynthia.Myers@cwu.edu for further inquiries about the program. Potential applicants can reach out for more information about our programs through the department at psychology@cwu.edu
Visit the CWU Academic Catalog for current information about admission requirements, course descriptions, learner outcomes, and credit information.
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