Mental Health and Pre-Social Work (MHS.AAS)

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mental Health & Pre-Social Work (MHS) is designed to prepare students for a future career in the Behavioral and Mental Health fields. Upon completion of the MHA program students are prepared for entry-level employment at variety of human service agencies including casework specialist, mental health technician, outreach specialist, substance abuse technician, youth specialist, and foster care specialist.

Students interested in pursuing an entry level career in social services or a bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) will complete the Pre-Social Work plan of study. The required coursework is designed to help students develop an understanding of human and social systems, and the ethics and values that guide human services practitioners, with an emphasis on social work.  Students learn through a combination of classroom work and fieldwork, spending 135 hours in human services agencies such as mental health centers, social service agencies, substance abuse counseling sites, and other facilities.

Students interested in behavioral health are also eligible and encouraged to take courses within the MHS program as electives. These electives are designed to introduce students to interviewing, assessment, and relevant theoretical frameworks used in behavioral health professions. 

MHS classes are designed to be taken in a certain sequence and as such students are encouraged to meet with an OCC counselor to create a personal plan of study. It is highly recommended that students intending to transfer into a bachelor degree program meet with an OCC counselor to develop a plan aligned with the transfer and articulation agreements of the respective bachelor degree program of interest.

A “C” (2.0) or better grade is required in MHS major courses for graduation.  In addition, a criminal background check will be required to participate in MHS 2600 Internship in Mental Health and Social Work. While the program understands some students’ history of criminal convictions may have inspired their interest in social work, some convictions may prevent individuals from completing internships at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s level, as well as from getting licensed in the State of Michigan. If any student has any questions or concerns, they may make an appointment with the Program Coordinator to discuss further. Here is a list of some reasons students may be denied registration in MHS 2600: 

1. A conviction of a felony or conviction of an attempt to commit a felony within fifteen years preceding the start of the course.
2. A conviction of a misdemeanor involving abuse, neglect, assault, battery, or criminal sexual conduct, or involving fraud or theft, within fifteen years preceding the start of the course.
3. A conviction of a misdemeanor within five years preceding the start of the course.

In order to obtain Social Work Technician licensing students must also meet all state requirements at State of Michigan Licensing and Regulations

Mental Health and Pre-Social Work program webpage

Full Time - Mental Health and Pre-Social Work program plan example

Part Time - Mental Health and Pre-Social Work program plan example

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
MHS 2000	Introduction to Social Work and Human Service Practice	3
MHS 2010	Ethics and Values in Mental Health	3
MHS 2100	Interviewing, Assessment, and Case Work Skills	3
MHS 2300	Interpersonal Theory and Practice	3
MHS 2400	Group Dynamics in Social Work and Mental Health Practice	3
MHS 2500	Family Systems Theory and Practice	3
MHS 2600	Mental Health and Social Work Internship	4
Required Supportive Courses
BIO 1511	Life Science	4
ENG 15101	Composition I	3-6
or ENG 1510E	Composition I Enhanced	4
or ENG 1510S	Composition I with Support	6
ENG 1520	Composition II	3
POL 1510	American Government	3
PSY 2510	Introduction to Psychology	3
PSY 2740	Human Development Across the Lifespan	3
SOC 2510	Sociology	3
SOC 2530	Racial and Ethnic Group Relations	3
SOC 2620	Sociology of Diversity	3
Total Credit Hours for Program-Related Courses		50-51
General Education Requirements
Communication / English (3-credits)
Satisfied
Fine Arts / Humanities (3-credits)		3
Complete 3 credits from Fine Arts/Humanities courses listed in the General Education Distribution List
Mathematics / Science (3-credits)		3
Satisfied
Social Science (3-credits)
Satisfied
Written Communication (3-credits)		3
Satisfied
Recommended Electives
MHS 1500	Introduction to Addictions	3
MHS 1510	Assessment, Intervention and Treatment Planning in Addiction	3
MHS 1520	Co-Occurring Disorders	3
MHS 1530	Diversity in Addiction	3
PSY 2810	Psychology of Adjustment	3
SOC 2550	Sociology of the Aging	3
SOC 2570	Marriage and Family in Modern Society	3
Additional elective credits needed to meet requirements for an Associate in Applied Science degree		7
Total Credit Hours		60