Mental Health Concentration
The mental health concentration offers multiple pathways to prepare students for careers in the mental health field. Each pathway exposes students to theoretical, policy, and practice-based content, equipping them with the skills to intervene with individuals, families, and groups using empirically supported assessment and intervention strategies.
Throughout the curriculum, students engage with the latest evidence-based and promising practices in mental health policy and practice. Upon graduation, they will possess the fundamental skills needed to enter the mental health field.
Students will gain proficiency in psychosocial assessment and differential diagnosis, develop engagement strategies for working with diverse populations and communities, and learn evidence-based intervention strategies suitable for a range of diagnostic categories and populations. Brown School alumni are well-prepared for careers in various settings, including clinical practice, community mental health centers, hospitals, forensic settings, private practice, policy development, and research.
Three pathways into the mental health field:
Clinical Social Work: for students who plan to work with adolescents or adults experiencing mental health conditions through a direct practice lens.
Theory: S20-5081 Contemporary Theories & Issues in Behavioral Health
Policy: S48-5012 Behavioral Health Policies and Services
Practice Methods:
- S30-5801 Principles and Practices of Differential Diagnosis
- S30-5850 Principles of Clinical Interventions in Behavioral Health
- S30-9453 Principles, Practices, & Services in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Child Behavioral Health: for students who plan to work with children experiencing mental health conditions through a direct practice lens.
Theory: S20-1011- Theory and Empirical Practice with Children, Youth, and Families
Policy: S48-5012– Behavioral Health Policies & Services
Practice Methods:
- S30-5810: Principles and Practices in Differential Diagnosis
- S30-7201: Social Work Practice Across Systems Serving Children, Youth and Families
- S30-7206: Contemporary Family Therapy
Clinical Social Work in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: for students who plan to work with adolescents or adults experiencing substance use disorders; graduates are able to earn certification for the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP).
Theory: S20-5081-Contemporary Theories & Issues in Behavioral Health
Policy: S40-6101- Substance Use Policy
Practice Methods:
- S30-5810: Principles and Practices of Differential Diagnosis
- S30-5811: Harm Reduction Community Practice
- S30-9453: Principles, Practice, & Services Substance Use Disorder Treatment
*Foundation and concentration practicum plus 1 elective practicum credit at approved substance abuse disorder setting
As an accredited CSWE program, the Brown School’s MSW program meets the criteria for eligibility for clinical licensing regulations in Missouri. The MSW program also may meet the criteria for eligibility for clinical licensing in other states. However, state licensing requirements vary and may require specific coursework or practicum experiences prior to meeting eligibility requirements for specific types of social work licensing. Additionally, individual states add or remove specific requirements frequently as policies change. Consequently, the Brown School has made no determination as to whether our program meets the licensing or certification requirements with respect to any states other than Missouri. Therefore, we recommend every student visit the state licensing board website of each state under consideration of working professionally. The Association for Social Work Boards has compiled summary reports of state licensing requirements, continuing education requirements, supervision policies, and other important licensing information. Please note- although the ASWB makes every effort to provide updated criteria annually, it is best to check with the individual state to determine if requirements have changed. This is particularly important for Brown School students who choose a concentration in Social & Economic Development, which does not include clinically oriented courses, and for those who individualize their coursework.
