BA in Health Counseling & Psychology
Be the change the world needs. Be part of the integrated healthcare revolution.
Start working in health counseling or psychology sooner and with more practical experience by getting a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Counseling and Psychology (BA HCP). The program will prepare you to meet the growing need for integrated healthcare and mental health workers. Our evidence-based, wellness-focused, applied education includes integration of theory with solid experience in the field to get you ready for new opportunities.
This degree is offered by Antioch University's Seattle Campus.
Program Overview
The Antioch University Seattle (AUS) Bachelor of Arts in Health Counseling and Psychology is an applied completion program for those with an interest in working at the intersection of wellness and mental health. It is an integrated perspective, connecting biological, psychological and social processes as they relate to developing and maintaining overall wellness. It also addresses how culture, geography, race, and experiences can factor into physical and psychological wellness.
Additional Information
Many aspects of this BA completion program prepare graduates for employment and career advancement: assignments that integrate classroom learning with application in the world; learning to articulate what one knows, values, is passionate about and committed to changing in the world; internships and senior/capstone projects. Upon completion of the BA in Health Counseling and Psychology degree, graduates will be prepared to work in this fast-growing applied sector as a:
- Wellness Coordinator
- Case Manager
- Care Coordinator
- Behavioral Health Specialist
- Residential Site Coordinator
Be the change you want to see.
- Integrate psychology and counseling skills with health and wellness
- Understand how behavior and health interact
- Learn about healthy coping and resiliency
- Decrease risk factors linked to preventable morbidity and death
- Help increase patients’ motivation for positive change
MA Pathways Programs accelerate your progress towards your goals. The MA Pathways programs save you time and money. If accepted into one of our MA programs, you may start classes while completing your BA degree. The first 12 credits of your MA program are also counted as the last 12 credits of your BA degree. We offer MA degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) or Couple and Family Therapy (CFT). Both of these degrees can be combined with Art Therapy or Drama Therapy. Obtaining your MA degree expands your options in the fields of mental health and health counseling psychology.
The length of time it will take a student to complete this degree depends upon the number of credits transferred into the program, the use of prior learning credits and testing credits, and the number of credit hours taken each term. Antioch University operates on the quarter system. The classes are small, held once a week, and meet on a weeknight and a weekend day. Classes are offered in in-person, hybrid, and online modalities.
A minimum of 180 quarter credits (maximum of 120 lower division, plus a minimum of 60 upper division) is required, with a minimum of 45 residency credits at AUS. As this is a degree completion program, a minimum of 36 transfer credits is required. A minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter credits must be completed with Antioch University. Credits are fulfilled as required by the following program elements:
- General Education/Liberal Arts Requirements
- Shared Learning Outcomes
Core Psychology Coursework
- Developmental Perspectives
- Abnormal Psychology
- Either a Positive Psychology/Resiliency or Somatic Psychology course
- Research Methods
Health Psychology Coursework
- Health Psychology and Promotion
- Either Biological Systems and Human Health or Neuropsychology
- Either Creative Arts Healing or Applied Mindfulness
Counseling Coursework & Supervised Field Experiences
- Counseling Role
- Ethics in Professional Settings
- Psychology Field Experience
Major Electives: Students select from a broad array of electives such as Palliative Care and Bereavement, Addictions and Attachment, Trauma and the Expressive Arts, Somatic Awareness, and Resiliency and Strength-Based Approaches. Optional Emphasis Areas: An optional emphasis area can be proposed if the student has at least 12 credits that show special focus and depth of learning in a particular area.
Graduates of the BA in Health Counseling and Psychology program can expect to demonstrate the Shared Learning Outcomes common to all AU undergraduate programs:
- Demonstration of increased self-awareness through critical reflection (Self-awareness)
- Application of critical thinking and creative problem solving (Critical Thinking)
- Articulation and understanding of multiple and diverse perspectives, within a global context (Diverse Perspectives)
- Analysis of social justice issues (Social Justice)
- Application of abstract knowledge to practical experience and concrete issues (Applied Learning)
- Demonstration of effective communication (Communication)
If accepted into either our MA program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) or Couple and Family Therapy (CFT), you may start classes while completing your BA degree, graduating 12 credits sooner. This saves additional time and costs, and gets you in the field sooner. You can also exit at the end of the BA program into a new career and reapply later to complete a Master’s degree. Obtaining your MA degree expands your options in the fields of mental health and health counseling psychology.
Faculty Spotlights
Sara Beth Lohre
Affiliate Faculty
Elizabeth Burke
Senior Lecturer & Adjunct Faculty
Sharyn Merrigan, MEd
Adjunct Faculty
Colleen Hilton
Adjunct Faculty
Admissions
How to Apply
Antioch University Seattle offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Counseling and Psychology through a degree completion program. All applicants to the BA program must have completed at least 36 quarter or 24 semester units to be eligible for admission. A combined minimum of one full-time year of college credit is required; however, AUS will transfer up to the equivalent of three full-time years (80 semester units/120 quarter units).
- Complete the online admissions application.
- Submit official transcripts from ALL colleges/universities you have attended to the Admissions Office. Transcript evaluations are required for all coursework completed outside of the U.S. or Canada (except Quebec). See Transcript Evaluation section on International Students webpage for details.
- Submit a short essay (two-three pages; approximately 500 words) that addresses the following questions:
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- Why are you interested in the Health Counseling and Psychology program at this time, and how do you see this program as best meeting your educational and career needs?
- In what ways has your academic and personal experience prepared you for this area of study and what do you see as your potential strengths and areas of growth?
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- International Students have additional admission requirements. See International Students page for details.
Application Deadlines
| Quarter | Application Deadline* | Start Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March 15 | March 31 |
| Summer | June 15 | July 1 |
| Fall | September 15 | September 30 |
| Winter | December 15 | January 2 |
| *Complete applications received after the Deadline date may be considered if space is still available in that quarter or will be reviewed for the next available term. | ||
Cost
| Credits | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $550 |
| full-time students typically enroll in 12 credits per quarter. | |
Financial Aid
A majority of AUS students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at AUS. LEARN MORE
Transfer Credits and Prior Learning
Transfer Credits
Prospective students with at least 36 quarter credits (equivalent to 24 semester credits) of college credits from an accredited institution can apply to complete their degree in one of Antioch’s Bachelor’s degrees. Our undergraduate programs accept a maximum of 120 quarter credits/80 semester credit lower-division credits that can be transferred toward your degree program. Antioch will accept 135 quarter credits (90 semester credits) of lower-division and upper-division learning that can be transferred toward your degree. The formal evaluation of previously earned transfer credits starts during the admission process. For more information regarding the specifics of transfer credits, please talk with your admissions counselor.
*Note: See specific articulation agreements for any exceptions to these parameters
Prior Learning Credits
Undergraduate students can earn up to 45 university quarter credits (30 semester credits) for demonstrating college-level learning gained outside of school, such as through work experience, professional training, military training, or personal experience. Demonstration of prior learning involves showing evidence of the student’s knowledge of the topic and situating that knowledge within an academic context. Earning academic credit for prior learning activities may accelerate a student’s time to degree completion and significantly reduce tuition costs. Antioch offers a workshop and course to support students interested in earning credit through prior learning.
Free Unofficial Transcript Evaluation
Want to know how long it’ll take to finish your degree at Antioch? Upload your unofficial transcripts for a free evaluation, and our advisors will contact you. No strings attached.
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