Program Description
The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Behavioral Healthcare degree builds on an existing two year degree adding upper division coursework to complete a four-year degree. Applicants are accepted year round. Some courses are offered in a hyflex format and students have the option to attend in person or online. This program starts in fall quarter and can be completed online.
This degree is designed to provide program graduates with the practical knowledge and skills necessary to enter the behavioral health workforce. The curriculum of the BAS in Behavioral Healthcare degree includes a combination of core courses, specialized courses, and practical experiences. These courses provide students with a strong understanding of human behavior, mental health disorders, and the principles of counseling. After completing the first year of the program, each student completes two five-credit practicums in the behavioral health field.
Program Code: SAABHBAS
Career Opportunities and Earnings
Graduates can pursue roles such as case managers, behavioral health technicians, community outreach specialists and a variety of other roles. These positions involve working directly with individuals facing mental health challenges, providing support, guidance, and implementing treatment plans. Furthermore, opportunities exist in non-profit organizations, government agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community health centers. Graduates can choose to continue their education and pursue advanced degrees to expand their career prospects, such as becoming licensed therapists, counselors, or pursuing administrative roles within behavioral health organizations. The demand for professionals in behavioral health continues to grow, making it an exciting and fulfilling field for graduates to make a positive impact on individuals' lives and contribute to the betterment of society.
For current employment and wage estimates, please visit and search for the relevant occupational term: bls.gov/oes
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of Peninsula College BAS Behavioral Healthcare program students will successfully satisfy the following program outcomes:
- Demonstrate clear, concise, and effective written, electronic, and verbal communication skills with clients, families, and interdisciplinary team members to enhance personal centered care and health outcomes.
- Demonstrate the ability to function effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in coordinating services and resources to meet the needs of diverse populations.
- Effectively analyze, evaluate, and conduct behavioral health research and use to benefit the consumer and family members. Including an abiding hope for recovery for every person.
- Identify the structures, functions, and organizations which comprise the local healthcare system with a particular focus on behavioral healthcare organizations.
- Complete both brief screenings and biopsychosocial assessments to include co-occurring disorders and develop and monitor client-centered treatment plans in the context of family, community, and cultural identities.
- Analyze behavioral health concepts such as current trends, theories, approaches, and best practices for the individual consumer and their families.
- Recognize institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for individuals and families within behavioral health systems.
- Demonstrate the ability to adhere to professional, ethical standards, including confidentiality and sensitivity when working with diverse populations within the behavioral health field.
- Demonstrate proper use of technologies and processes used to collect and analyze data and easily disseminate to appropriate parties.
Special Features
- Students in the BAS program have the advantage of a low faculty to student ratio.
- The BAS program does not currently have a waiting list.
- The BAS Behavioral Healthcare program curriculum is designed to prepare students for completing master's degrees in similar fields.
Program Prerequisites
Students entering this program should have basic knowledge of a computer and touch-typing skills. It is recommended that online students complete HUMDV 101. Writing classes are embedded in the program. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and the use of email are tools BAS students will use throughout the program. Those who are not familiar with or comfortable using those programs should locate online, self-study resources or consider enrolling in courses offered by the college. Students may need to complete prerequisite coursework prior to full admittance to the program.
- 5 credits of MATH& 107 or higher with a GPA of 2.0 or higher
- 5 credits of ENGL& 101 with a GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Completion of a two-year degree, or equivalent junior level standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.0 or higher
Approximate Additional Costs
- Request official transcripts from outside colleges (estimated): $20
- Books, supplies and miscellaneous fees: $2400
- Laptop computer: $1000
- Personal health insurance (recommended): $39- $190 per quarter
- Travel/Transportation: varies
Current tuition and fee information is published on the College website at pencol.edu or by calling the Student Services Office at (360) 417-6340.
Financial aid is available to all students who qualify. To learn more about these opportunities, visit pencol.edu/financial.
Application Process
Applications for admission are accepted year‐round. Once accepted into the program, students may start taking courses in fall quarter. To learn more about the application process, visit pencol.edu/applying-program/bas-application-form.
First Quarter (Fall)
This course offers students the opportunity to learn about various aspects of common behavioral health disorders. Students will develop the ability to identify behavioral health issues including anxiety, depression, bipolar, psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, childhood disorders and other disorders within the DSM-5-TR. This course will examine the relationship between knowledge and skills necessary to conduct systematic and culturally sensitive assessments, intervention and treatment recommendations. Reviewing evidence-based interventions, students survey the range of effective and promising treatments for common mental health disorders. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
This course reviews and prepares students to practice within the systems which provide prevention, intervention, and treatment for mental health issues in clinical mental health settings. This course surveys behavioral healthcare systems, with emphases on local, outpatient, and publicly-funded care. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Business writing course required for students seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree. Production of business documents, including reports, proposals, letters, memos, essays, emails, and performance evaluations. Group projects and oral presentations. Review of business writing style, paragraphing, grammar, and document formatting. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Second Quarter (Winter)
The discipline of Management Information Systems (MIS) bridges the gap between computer science disciplines and business disciplines such as marketing, strategic management, and finance among others. The term Management Information Systems encompasses a multitude of definitions depending on the source. The definition applied in this course is that MIS consists of technologies and processes that are used to collect and analyze data, convert it into information, on which a decision can be made, and then disseminate the information to the appropriate people an organization. This course will focus on such topics as information technology (IT) infrastructure, Enterprise Applications, databases as decision support systems, and others. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
This course examines how cultural, biological, and social diversity affect thought and behavior. It presents current theories and practices for working with diverse populations in the behavioral health field and fosters the understanding and application of cultural diversity, cultural competency, self-awareness, social justice, and advocacy. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
This course provides a broad understanding of ethics, legal standards, and professional responsibilities in behavioral health with an emphasis on counseling ethics. Students explore behavioral health professionals' responsibilities to themselves, clients, colleagues, and society. Facilitates an understanding of ethical standards and ethical decision-making, professional boundaries, confidentiality, and federal and state laws pertaining to specific populations and situations in the behavioral health field. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Third Quarter (Spring)
Overview of case management within the context of human services delivery. Students develop observation, problems-solving, recording and relationship building skills through the exploration of the case management process which includes client engagement and assessment, interview techniques and collection of client information. Students learn how to plan and develop a case file, refer clients for services, monitor the services coordination process and terminate a case. They also explore professional responsibility and cultural diversity in the context of case management practice. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
This course provides a comprehensive survey of the major contemporary theories of counseling, as well as their implications for practice. Core topics such as historical background, key concepts, the counseling process, counseling techniques and procedures, multicultural perspectives, and evaluation are examined for each theory. Students are given the opportunity to conceptualize selected case studies, decide on appropriate counseling interventions, and practice a variety of techniques that are commonly used in counseling practice. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Fourth Quarter (Fall)
Students will learn to identify a client's presenting problem and demonstrate how to arrive at the client's goal. Learning to effectively explore the clients' unique circumstances and partner with client to develop a client driven and person-centered course of action; Screening clients, intake processes, assessments, achieving client-identified goals, and synthesis of assessment and its impact on the "Golden Thread" model. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
This course explores the relationship between neurology and behavioral health, examining the biological basis of various behavioral health disorders. Students will gain an understanding of the neurological mechanisms, etiology, clinical presentation, and treatment options for these disorders. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Through supervised clinical experience, the student begins hands-on training in a behavioral health/human services field, focusing on: intake interviewing, case management, assessment of client/consumer needs, intervention strategies, individual and group counseling, outreach activities, recording procedures, appropriate use of community referral and networking resources, staff relations, and inter-agency communication. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 2 - 5
Fifth Quarter (Winter)
Sixth Quarter (Spring)
This course offers an overview of the various types of trauma and the impact they have on individuals, couples, families, and communities. Students who complete the course will gain the knowledge, skills and dispositions required by behavioral health professionals to utilize trauma-informed intervention and treatment principles and successfully assist in a time of crisis. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5