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Mental Health and Addiction StudiesMajor

Interested in a helping profession? You may find your fit in this major, which will prepare you to enter the workforce or graduate school.

Overview

What is Mental Health and Addiction Studies at WVU like?

Description

The Mental Health and Addiction Studies major provides a broad knowledge base in mental health prevention, intervention and community impacts, with an in-depth focus on addiction treatment and recovery. Students in the major also take a variety of elective courses in diversity, aging, disabilities and wellness.

With its well-rounded curriculum, the major prepares students for fulfilling careers that lead to individual, family and community transformation.

Mental Health and Addiction Studies program highlights:

Living-Learning Communities
Research/Academic Opportunities

At a Glance

Admission Requirements
Careers and Employers
Cost and Aid
Courses and Plan of Study
Fast Facts
Related Majors and Minors
Related Pathways

College/School:
College of Education and Human Services
Department:
Department of Counseling and Learning Sciences
Degree Designation:
BA
Program:
Mental Health and Addiction Studies

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Mental Health and Addiction Studies at WVU unique?

Financial Support
Go First

College of Education and Human Services scholarships are open to all first-year students.
Graduates may qualify for NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program.
This major is the first of its kind in West Virginia and one of just a few undergraduate programs in the field nationwide.

Research and Academic Opportunities

In addition to our list of complementary minors, students interested in social justice and serving diverse populations might choose one of these minors:

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Mental health and addictions professionals are in greater demand than ever before. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in these fields is expected to grow 22%, a much faster rate than most other occupations.

The Mental Health and Addiction Studies major qualifies graduates for entry-level jobs in addiction, mental health and family support services. Graduates may also pursue graduate studies in counseling, social work, public health or other health-related disciplines.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Mental Health and Addiction Studies major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Bright Outlook
Green Occupation
Requires a Graduate Degree

Child, Family and School Social Workers

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers. Possible job titles for this career include: Case Manager.

$43,250 Median Salary

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Mental Health Counselors

Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging. Possible job titles for this career include: Clinician.

$42,840 Median Salary

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. Possible job titles for this career include: Case Manager.

$42,700 Median Salary

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Psychiatric Aides

Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies. Possible job titles for this career include: Mental Health Aide (MHA).

$31,570 Median Salary

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Social and Human Service Assistants

Assist in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care. Possible job titles for this career include: Caseworker.

$31,810 Median Salary

Learn More

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Courses

What are the courses like in Mental Health and Addiction Studies at WVU?

CDFS 416:
Trauma, Resiliency, and Children

Overview of core issues of trauma and its impact on children and families, with an emphasis on growth, learning, and adult relationships. Students apply critical inquiry to explore the broader impact of trauma on society, including individual productivity and financial costs, and develop public awareness and learning material.

COUN 240:
Introduction to Addiction Studies

Overview of core concepts related to substance use and substance use disorders. Topics include the history of drug use/addiction, effects on societal members, pharmacology of common psychoactive drugs, theories of addiction, treatment approaches, mutual support, recovery and relapse.

COUN 320:
Prevention in Mental Health

Overview of core concepts related to the prevention of mental illness and addiction. Topics include the evolution of prevention practices, risk and preventive factors, psychosocial and environmental determinants, selecting and evaluating evidence-based models, and health equity.

Cost and Aid

How much does Mental Health and Addiction Studies at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2021-22 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit	$409
Per Semester	$4,908
Fall and Spring Semesters	$9,816

Non-Resident
Per Credit	$1,115
Per Semester	$13,380
Fall and Spring Semesters	$26,760

International
Per Credit	$1,115
Per Semester	$13,680
Fall and Spring Semesters	$27,360

Scholarship Chart

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Visit the Scholarship Chart

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Mental Health and Addiction Studies at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Mental Health and Addiction Studies major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2022-23 academic year. They also must meet the following admission requirement. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

For direct admission to the Mental Health and Addiction Studies program:

GPA: 2.50

If you don't meet the admission requirements for WVU's Mental Health and Addiction Studies major, check out some related programs.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

Psychology
Psychology is the science of behavior. This major allows you to increase your intrapersonal and interpersonal understanding and develop problem-solving, project management and information literacy skills.

Learn More
Public Health
Founded on the principle of social justice, the concept of public health ensures that all citizens have the opportunity for good health. It is the art and science of protecting and improving population health through education, service and prevention.

Learn More
Social Work
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Social workers help people function the best they can in their environment and circumstance. They provide direct services to people in their homes or places of work and help people to help themselves.

Learn More

What minors could I consider?

Criminology
Minor
Disability Studies
Minor
Gerontology
Minor
Health Promotion
Minor
Law and Legal Studies
Minor

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Behavioral and Social Sciences
Studying human behavior and interactions will help you understand and change society – and pursue careers that help people improve their lives.

Learn More

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

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Request Information

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