Interested in becoming a mental health professional?

Interested in becoming a mental health professional? If so, consider taking the following concentration of courses, which cover the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of psychological disorders:

• PSYC 455: Psychopathology (formerly called Abnormal Psychology): This course introduces students to the classification, diagnostic criteria, and associated features of mental disorders.

  • This class fulfills completion of the “social/cultural” core category within the Psychology major.

• PSYC 456: Clinical Assessment: This course provides an overview of common assessment techniques, methods, and skills used by mental health practitioners.

  • Prerequisite = PSYC 455.
  • The class would count as a “major unrestricted elective” in the Psychology major.

• PSYC 457: Clinical Interventions: This course introduces students to a broad range of evidence-based psychological intervention strategies used to treat psychological disorders.

  • Prerequisite = PSYC 455.

  • The class would count as a “major unrestricted elective” in the Psychology major.

• Why complete this concentration of classes?

  • These classes are ideal for students who are interested in pursuing careers in mental health fields such as clinical psychology, mental health counseling, or social work.

  • Build strong professional knowledge and gain hands on skills required for mental health professionals.

  • Strengthen preparation for graduate school and future professional work.

• Is this a separate “track” within the Psychology major? Are there different requirements for students interested in this concentration of classes?

  • No, students who wish to take these classes must complete the normal requirements necessary to graduate with a major in Psychology (see: Psychology BS | Minnesota State University, Mankato). The classes listed on this page simply represent a set of recommended classes for those students who wish to pursue graduate school or employment in the field of mental health, and many will count as “elective credits” toward completion of the major.

  • It should also be noted that this concentration will not be listed on your transcript.

• Below is a list of additional classes to consider taking if you are interested in a career in mental health - they are not a formal set of required courses. Except where noted, the classes listed below count as “major unrestricted electives” in the Psychology major.

  • PSYC 401 Clinical Sexuality (4 credits)
  • PSYC 419 Psychometric Theory (4 credits)
  • PSYC 420 Psychopharmacology (4 credits): This class fulfills completion of the “biological” core category within the Psychology major.
  • PSYC 476 Applied Behavioral Analysis (4 credits)
  • PSYC 478 Health Psychology (4 credits)

• Speak with your academic advisor or Dr. Jeff Buchanan if you have any questions.