Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Counselor Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2025-2026 San Joaquin Delta College Catalog Program: Mental Health Specialist Certificate of Achievement

Mental Health Specialist Certificate of Achievement

Upon successful completion of the Mental Health Specialist certificate, the student will be prepared to work in an entry level position in one or more of the following: Provide patient care and counseling on the inpatient unit; provide case management for non-complex client case caseload; provide group and individual counseling for emotional, drug, or other mental health problems in an outpatient program. The student will take academic courses to prepare him/her for an entry level position within behavioral health facility. The students will receive training in case management skills for a routine case load, provide group and individual counseling for emotional, drug, alcohol, and co-occurring issues; Students will also develop skill in analyzing crisis situations accurately and learn to take appropriate actions, learn to treatment plans, and to express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and written.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the skills needed to obtain entry level position in counseling or related fields.
  2. Apply counseling skills and techniques.

Core Requirements

Complete 48 units

Course NameUnits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking Units: 3
ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing or ENGL C1000E Academic Reading and Writing Embedded Support Units: 4 Units: 3
H S 36 Medical Terminology and Speech Units: 3
PSYC C1000 Introduction to Psychology Units: 3
PSYC 2 Statistical Methods for Psychology & Social Science Units: 3
PSYC 3 Personal and Social Psychology Units: 3
PSYC 6 Lifespan Psychology Units: 3
PSYC 7 Abnormal Psychology Units: 3
PSYC 11 Assessment for Treatment Planning Units: 3
PSYC 13 Law, Ethics and Communicable Disease in Counseling Units: 3
PSYC 16 Introduction to Counseling Skills Units: 3
PSYC 17 Introduction to Counseling Theories (Individual, Group & Family) Units: 3
PSYC 30 Human Sexuality Units: 3
PSYC 40 Case Management and Treatment Planning Units: 3
PSYC /SOCIO 45A Beginning Field Practicum Units: 3
PSYC /SOCIO 45B Intermediate Field Practicum Units: 3

Minimum Units Required: 48

Complete all courses with a grade of “C” or better.

For more information:

Contact the Social Science, Education, and Public Service Transfer and Career Pathway (TrAC) 

Notes: