Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Understanding mental health issues

Are child and adolescent mental health issues of importance to you in your profession? Then consider this postgraduate certificate designed for a wide range of professionals!

Ideal learners

E/BD teachers (master's level)
School counselors, social workers, and psychologists
Licensed Professional Counselors
Licensed independent clinical social workers
Licensed marriage and family therapists
Licensed psychologists
Licensed professional counselors
Youth/children's ministry pastors
Pastoral care and counseling pastors

Focus of Study

You will study and gain experience in:

Children's and adolescent's mental health issues and needs.
Techniques such as art therapy, play therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, crisis intervention, and counseling microskills.
Skills to assess and evaluate mental health needs and determine appropriate intervention strategies.
Collaborative skills with parents, mental health professionals, education personnel, county social workers, and other professionals.
Ethical concerns regarding roles, boundaries, and competencies unique to working with this population and their families in various settings.
Your personal perspective on the integration of faith and working with children and adolescents.

Program Overview

Seven courses (18 semester credits) can be completed in approximately 13 months.
Meet one evening each week for four hours.
Be part of a learning community.

Priority Application Deadline

Priority consideration is given to applicants who complete the application process by the priority application deadline. Applications will still be considered after the priority application deadline, but will be reviewed on a space-available basis. Additional starts will be scheduled if demand is high.

Start Date	Priority Application Deadline
April of each year	April 1

Courses

For course sequence, request a program calendar. Credits are listed in parentheses.

PSYC600 • Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (3)

Survey of major clinical perspectives, psychological disorders, terminology, and issues important to the field of child and adolescent psychopathology with emphasis given to areas of special relevance to the educational setting. Provides learners with the background to be informed communicators with mental health professionals with whom they will collaborate in serving students having emotional/behavioral disorders. Improves learner’s proficiency at distinguishing between problems falling in the normal and clinical ranges.

PSYC604 • Child and Adolescent Assessment (3)

Introduction to the theory, psychometric properties, and application of psychological assessment focusing on personality and psychopathology of children and adolescents. Emphasis is on exposure to and beginning experience in administration, scoring, and interpretation of intelligence testing and objective and projective personality assessment instruments. Elements distinguishing screening from assessment, the multidisciplinary assessment, and the key warning signs of early onset of mental illness in youth are also covered.

PSYC605 • Program Portfolio (1)

Learners compile designated program course assignments into a portfolio. A narrative and reflections written by each learner throughout the program provide personal application and evaluation of knowledge and skills gained, and integration of faith. Communication and collaboration with parents and other professionals are required and incorporated into the portfolio. An oral presentation of the portfolio to the cohort group and faculty culminates the program.

PSYC606 • Counseling Microskills with Children and Adolescents (2)

Demonstration and practice of counseling skills with children and adolescents. Emphasis is on development of core helping skills unique to this population, including, but not limited to, crisis intervention and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Special attention is given to ethical issues unique to working with children and adolescents and how gender, class, and cultural diversity factors may influence the counseling process.

PSYC607 • Groups for Children and Adolescents (2)

Exploration of issues experienced by children and adolescents such as child abuse, divorce, blended families, domestic violence, chemical abuse, anger management, grief and loss, self-esteem, social skills, etc. Focus is on understanding the dynamics of experiencing these problems from a child’s point of view and providing therapy and support through small groups. Learners will apply skills while working with a small group of children and acquire artifacts for the program portfolio.

PSYC608 • Therapeutic Art (2)

Overview of art therapy theory, research, and practice. Primary focus will be an exploration of the benefits of using drawing and other forms of artwork with children and adolescents. Includes demonstration and practice of various art therapy techniques and discussion of possible applications in professional and nonprofessional settings.

PSYC609 • Therapeutic Play (3)

Focus is on techniques in expressive therapies, with an emphasis on play therapy. Examination of the continuum from client-centered to directive therapy and the exploration of application possibilities based on client needs and the setting. Common themes in children’s play are identified, and the dynamics of interpretation are considered and applied. Learners will apply skills and techniques in working with children and acquire artifacts for the Program Portfolio.

PSYC644 • Introduction to Family Systems (2)

Exploration of basic family dynamics (such as intimacy, communication, power, shame), with special emphasis given to examining those dynamics from the family systems and family development theoretical perspectives. Differences in family structures and patterns with opportunities for students to apply theoretical principles to real-life family situations.

Bethel University reserves the right to withdraw, modify, or add to the list of courses or the course descriptions listed above and to cancel any course 10 calendar days prior to the start date if minimum enrollment has not been met.

Integrate faith and learning

Consistent with the overall mission of Bethel University and its graduate programs, this certificate seeks to integrate the treatment of children and adolescents, the applicant's profession, and Christian faith. Faith integration will be emphasized in each class so that professionals will also be equipped and feel confident in conceptualizing and addressing children's unique spiritual development and needs as they arise.

At Bethel, students appreciate the freedom to explore learning from a Christian perspective. Within this framework, faith, ethics, and values are taken seriously. Spirited discussion, reflection on theory, and application of learning to real-world situations are essentials of the learning culture. Bethel encourages students to apply their learning to the whole person and exercise critical thinking skills that relate to all of life and work.

Bethel is committed to your success as an adult learner

You will be served in practical ways, including:

Admissions advisors who encourage students to reach their educational goals
A single registration for the entire program
An online textbook service
Being part of a cohort which supports and maximizes learning
Confirmed class schedule for the entire program
Financial aid and payment plans make your education doable
Resources and Services

Admission Requirements 2007-08

Applicants are admitted under the requirements of the most current catalog at the time they last enter Bethel.

The Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health program will consider applicants who:

Submit a completed Application for Admission form with the $25 nonrefundable application fee.
Have earned a master's-level licensure or degree from a regionally accredited institution in one of the following areas: Special Education (E/BD), Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Pastoral Care and Counseling, or other related degrees.
Submit official transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate course work.
Have earned a graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
Have completed a course in Developmental Psychology with a child development component from a regionally accredited institution. The course must have earned at least two semester credits and may have been taken at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
Submit a current resume.
Submit two Admission References.
Submit a written Statement of Purpose.
Submit Computer Documentation. Applicants are required to document access to a computer with the required hardware and software for use throughout the program (see application materials).
Submit a Student Immunization Record form.
Submit a Request for Transfer of Credit form, if applicable.
Submit a TOEFL examination score report (required of all international applicants and all applicants whose primary language is not English). Minimum score of 550 is required on the paper-based test; 213 on the computer-based test; or 80 on the internet-based test.
Indicate acceptance of the Bethel Community Expectations by signing the application form.
Interview with the Program Director, if requested.

International Applicants: Additional Admission Requirements

An international applicant is any candidate who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. permanent resident alien. International applicants must:

Submit official evaluations of foreign transcripts from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member organization (www.naces.org) or from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) (www.cgfns.org).

Submit a completed Certificate of Finances form and a copy of current bank statement(s) to show evidence of adequate funds to cover a minimum of one year’s full tuition and living expenses.
If an applicant is receiving funds from a sponsor(s), submit:

o Notarized Affidavits of Support (I-134).

o Letters of support from sponsors.

Submit a copy of I-94 (applicants currently in the U.S.).

Submit a copy of passport (applicants currently in the U.S.).

Submit a copy of current visa (applicants currently in the U.S.).

Submit documentation of health insurance.

If the applicant’s primary language is not English, have a required English language evaluation as part of the admission process.

U.S. Permanent Resident Alien Applicants: Additional Admission Requirement

U.S. permanent resident alien applicants must:

Present the applicant's green card.

Meeting minimal entrance requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission. Exceptions to minimum criteria may be made at the discretion of the admissions committee. See the Application Checklist for admission procedures.

How to get started

Make an individual appointment with an admissions advisor (651.635.8000 or 800.255.8706, ext. 8000) or attend an information session.
Have previous transcripts sent to Bethel for a FREE evaluation.
Partner with an advisor to complete the application process.

Application Forms

The application packet is available online, in a PDF format, or a print copy. Click on application.

Want more info?

Contact Bethel University's Graduate School.

Phone: 651.635.8000 or 800.255.8706, ext. 8000
Email: gs@bethel.edu