Mental Health, Social Service, and Addiction Counseling - FAQ

An academic advisor can help plan out which classes you can take prior to starting the program. Although not required before starting the program, it is highly recommended that students take the following elective courses: PSY201, SOC204, SOC204, CJA230 or CJA231, Foreign Language Elective and any college level Lab Science Elective. General education classes within the program you may take prior to beginning fall term include MTH058/MTH065, WR121Z and WR122Z, HE202, HE208 and 1 credit of HE/PE.

All program classes will start in the fall. Program classes are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The answer to this question may be very individual. If you have a job and a family, the workload will be heavier than if you are not working and/or have fewer responsibilities. This is a full-time program whereby students take 15‐18 credits per quarter.

A good way to estimate how much time you will spend studying would be to take the number of credits per week and multiply that by two hours of homework per credit.

Plenty of schools will provide a pathway for you to transfer from MHCC. In fact, 89% of our graduates transfer to a university afterward to get a Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling.

Take a look at these local and regional options:

• Portland State University
• Clark College
• Washington State University - Vancouver
• Oregon Tech
• Western Oregon University
• Warner Pacific University

If you would like to complete the MHSSAC program as a part-time student (6-9 credits per term) instead of as a full-time student (15 credits per term), you can schedule an appointment with Karen Green, and we can create a customized education plan for you.

• Most classes that are specific to the Mental Health, Social Services, and Addiction Counseling program are only offered once per year, which is why you must start the program in fall term.

If you have a criminal history, we strongly encourage potential applicants to contact our program advisor Karen Green, 503-491-7133, [email protected] for more information. If you have had a prior DUI or MIP charges you will need to disclose all of those charges in writing prior to being placed in an internship.

In addition, many but not all of our internship sites require a DHS/ CPS background check. You will not be qualified to work with vulnerable populations if you have had any prior involvement with these state agencies.

Prior person to person assault charges will disqualify you from being placed within many of our agency partners and might ultimately prove to be a significant barrier to employment in the Mental Health field.