MS in Behavioral Health Psychology

Prepare for a career in counseling or further your research skills in Carroll’s Master of Science in Behavioral Health Psychology program. The need for culturally compassionate behavioral health practitioners has never been greater, nor has the call to reduce disparities in mental health care across society. Our program provides clinicians and scholars with the counseling and clinical psychology knowledge and skills required of today’s behavioral health professionals.

Graduates of Carroll’s MS in Behavior Health Psychology are well prepared to work in a variety of healthcare settings with community and clinical populations as a Licensed Professional Counselor–IT in the state of Wisconsin, to conduct applied behavioral health research, or as competitive applicants for psychology Ph.D. programs.

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Behavioral Health Versus Mental Health

Behavioral and mental health are closely related and are often used interchangeably. At Carroll, we believe behavioral health encompasses mental, spiritual and relational health and acknowledge the role our behavior has on all three. As a graduate of our program, you will appreciate the part cultural and societal factors play in illness and health. You will help clients reach their goals by working with the interplay between past experiences, emotions and other constructs that interact with current and future behavior. At the same time, you will be prepared to advocate for societal-level initiatives and policies that support communities' behavioral health.

Specialize in One of Four Concentrations

At Carroll, you can specialize in one of several concentrations relevant to today’s behavioral health professional.

Your elective coursework, practicum, internship placements and thesis or comprehensive projects are all tied to your chosen area of specialization. That means you can develop expertise in your preferred area – an opportunity rarely found in programs that prepare clinicians for licensure at the Master’s level.

Clinical Placements

All students will accrue a minimum of 1300 clinical hours in the program. We will work with you to secure placements aligned with your chosen concentration areas. In addition, there are opportunities to secure placements closer to home for those who travel a considerable distance for weekend classes.

Carroll offers students a variety of placement options. As a practicum student, you build foundational clinical and counseling skills while working alongside seasoned professions in a placement aligned with your selected concentration and career goals. While completing your 2-semester internship, you will gain independence in your clinical work as you prepare for your post-graduate career.

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About the Program

Four Themes Guide our Behavioral Health Psychology Program

Evidence-based Treatment
You will learn to critically evaluate and apply evidence-based assessment and interventions with a variety of clients. While all training programs preparing professional counselors include a course on counseling theories and techniques, at Carroll, you will take an additional course taught by practicing clinical faculty on evidenced-based interventions that have strong scientific support. Here you will critically evaluate the research, practice the techniques, and be prepared to further develop your skills via practicals and internships.

You’ll also gain competence in critically evaluating science, and be prepared to use the latest research to inform your clinical practice. Each and every class emphasizes scientific competencies where you will gain comfort in seeking out research related to your work with clients. You’ll gain the skills to evaluate the research and its applicability to your own work. Psychological science is dynamic. As a graduate of our program, you’ll be equipped to ensure your clinical practice evolves with the science.

As an applied research graduate, you’ll be prepared to conduct psychological research. Through advanced coursework, contributions to research teams at Carroll and with external partners, and your thesis project, you’ll be well positioned to pursue a behavioral health research career or pursue your Ph.D.

Decreasing Behavioral Healthcare Disparities
Guided by the biopsychosocial-spiritual model, Carroll’s program views behavior through a wholistic lens, and is determined to ensure behavioral healthcare is inclusive and accessible. Our program of study will prepare you to be a compassionate, self-reflecting clinician, sensitive to the developmental, biological, psychosocial and spiritual contributions to the behavioral health outcomes of diverse populations. While you will formally take a “Multicultural Psychology” course, developing cultural compassion is emphasized in every course in our program. From your statistics course to your history of psychology course, you’ll be challenged to consider the disparate impact on behavioral health experienced by diverse populations. You will use this understanding to conceptualize clients, prepare treatment plans, evaluate psychological research, and advocate for social justice at all levels of society.

Experiential Learning
Apply your knowledge and skills in research laboratories, classroom labs and practical settings under the supervision of seasoned professionals. You will team with Carroll faculty and community partners to advance your skills in research, practical and internship settings, assessing and responding to unique clinical needs in varied populations.

Convenient
The Master of Science in Behavioral Health Psychology program is taught in a flexible, hybrid format, with a mix of in-person and online coursework. Course content is largely provided online, allowing you to absorb didactic materials on your schedule. Twice monthly, you'll spend Friday evening and Saturday on Carroll’s campus, honing your skills through the application of material with students and faculty.

For those seeking the terminal degree preparing you for licensing at the Master's level, the 60-63-credit program can be completed in as few as 22-24 months of full-time study. Students pursuing the 50-55 credit Applied Research track can complete the program in 20 months if committing to full-time study. We also welcome students who choose a slower-paced progression through part-time study.

Accreditation

Carroll’s MS in Behavioral Health Psychology is currently pursuing the two-year accreditation process required by the Masters in Psychology and Counselor Accreditation Program (MPCAP). Carroll’s program conforms to the 2016 CACREP Standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and meets Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor–IT. After passing the state licensing exam and completing the post-graduation supervised practice hours, graduates are prepared for full licensing as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin.