Community Mental Health Bachelor’s Degree, Cooperative BA

Virtual Information Sessions

Are you interested in pursuing a career in mental health? Learn more about NEC’s Community Mental Health Cooperative BA program and hear from Kathy Simon, Associate Faculty of the Practice in Psychology and Community Mental Health. Plus, you can ask any questions you have.

Tuesday, February 10, at 6:00 p.m. EST
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Thursday, March 5, at 6:00 p.m. EST
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Thursday, April 9, at 6:00 p.m. EST
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Tuesday, May 5, at 6:00 p.m. EST
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This degree is a four year on-campus degree designed as a co-op program in coordination with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and its 10 community mental health centers, so you work and Earn While You Learn.

Community Mental Health Bachelor’s Degree Program Overview

Make a difference in the lives of others while preparing for your own future. With a Community Mental Health bachelor’s degree from New England College, you will take part in a unique cooperative program that blends classroom learning with 30 credits of real, hands-on experience in a mental health setting. You will apply what you learn in real-world environments, earn college credit, and gain professional experience.

Through your studies, you will explore how to support the well-being of people across many communities, including older adults, individuals with developmental disabilities, refugees, and survivors of crime. These experiences prepare you to step directly into the human services and mental health field after graduation.

In this video, students share how classroom learning, mock sessions, and internships equip them to make a difference in mental health through therapy, social work, advocacy, and community organizations.

Earn While You Learn with Immersive Co-Ops

This program includes two paid co-ops where you’ll work directly with clients in the community. You may provide care, assist with daily activities, or even help lead group sessions. Each co-op is approximately 20 hours a week at $ 20 or more per hour. You’ll earn income, gain hands-on experience, and build a strong résumé before graduation.

Graduates also leave with a strong foundation for advanced study; the Bachelor’s in Community Mental Health program prepares you for graduate-level programs. NEC offers an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling for students seeking to pursue an advanced degree in the field of mental health.

Community Mental Health Program Highlights

Why Earn Your Bachelor’s in Community Mental Health?

As a community mental health major at NEC, you will explore human services systems, mental health disorders, and the counseling process. The program’s unique co-op model also provides an invaluable experiential learning component.

NEC partners with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services for its innovative community mental health co-op program. You will work directly with clients in this exclusive learning opportunity.

By blending classroom learning with real-world experience, the community mental health degree positions graduates for mental health careers or further education at the graduate level.

Community Mental Health Degree Learning Outcomes

Graduates from the Community Mental Health Cooperative BA program will be able to:

• Understand mental health concepts, theories, and research findings.
• Apply a scientific approach to issues in the mental health field.
• Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Contribute to socially responsible environments that uphold ethical values.
• Employ mental health knowledge, skills, and values in professional settings.

What Can You Do with a Community Mental Health Bachelor’s Degree?

Why Choose NEC?

New England College Announces Exclusive Partnership with DHHS to Strengthen Mental Health Workforce in New Hampshire

To help resolve the shortage of mental health professionals in the Granite State, New England College (NEC) announces its exclusive partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to educate and train future community mental health professionals. The organizations will work together to provide training for the College’s new cooperative bachelor’s degree in community mental health.

Recognition and Rankings

NEC Ranked Top College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in the state, as acknowledged by US News & World Report, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

NEC Ranked Leading College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in NH, as acknowledged by EduRank, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

NEC Ranked Top College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as one of the best ten colleges in NH, as acknowledged by Research.com, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

Application Requirements

This program offers a challenging curriculum that ensures you will be best prepared for placement in co-ops and for the human services field after graduation.

• High school/college GPA of at least 3.0 (or equivalent of a “B” average)
• Official high school or college transcript
• Two academic and/or professional letters of recommendation about preparedness in the classroom and in a mental health counselor role
• One group informational interview about the major and working in the community mental health field, led by a Community Mental Health faculty member
• The ability to work in the summer of your sophomore year and the winter of your senior year
• Remaining in good standing while in the program