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Bachelor of Applied Science, Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)

Start your journey toward a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Health today! See below for next steps. 

Pikes Peak State College's Bachelor of Applied Science will help you open new doors in your career. This degree will give you opportunities to earn higher wages, have more career choices, and chances to specialize in areas that are meaningful to you. Moving yourself up the career ladder will also allow you to attain leadership roles and create a long-term career plan for your continued success. With a BAS in Behavioral Health, you can easily transfer to any graduate school for counseling, social work, psychology, and more!

You must have an associate degree before entering this BAS program. All AAS and BAS students will be subject to a background check and drug screen in order to comply with the clinical and internship requirements of behavioral health industry partners. 

Depending on the type of associate degree you have, there are a few options for getting started in this program.

BAS Requirements

To enter the Behavioral Health BAS program, students must have a conferred Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), or Associate of General Studies (AGS) degree. Your associate's degree does not need to be in behavioral health.

After admission, students begin completing the general education coursework required for their selected program emphasis. Students also begin completing the required foundational and prerequisite coursework in preparation for the BAS cohort.

A cohort is a group of students who begin the advanced BAS coursework together and complete the program in the same prescribed sequence. This structured approach helps students build relationships with classmates, progress through the curriculum together, and stay on track for graduation.

To support full-time enrollment and degree progression, designated general education and elective coursework may be completed before or during the cohort. 

Completion of all required foundational and prerequisite coursework is expected prior to entering the BAS cohort. Exceptions may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Behavioral Health.

Program Requirements

Students pursuing a Behavioral Health Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Behavioral Health Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree must successfully complete a program-approved background check and drug screen through Castle Branch (approximately $120-130.00) prior to enrolling in BEH 1001 – Mental Health Crisis and Intervention: Preparedness and Empathy.

The background check and drug screening requirement applies only to students pursuing Behavioral Health AAS and BAS degrees. Students pursuing Behavioral Health certificate programs or students enrolled in other academic programs that require BEH 1001 are exempt from this requirement.

Successful completion of BEH 1001, along with all required foundational and prerequisite coursework, is required prior to entering the BAS cohort.

Behavioral Health Info Sessions are held virtually every third Thursday of the month at 12pm. 

Check for virtual event dates and sign up to attend

Submit your admission application to Pikes Peak State College.

If you do not have an AAS from the Behavioral Health Department at PPSC, you must submit your unofficial transcripts to two locations:

  1. Email transcripts to BehavioralHealth@pikespeak.edu with your last name and “BAS application transcripts” in the subject line.
  2. Order and submit your official transcripts from all previous college classes to our Records Department.

📽️ Video: How to Order and Submit Your Transcripts

Attend a virtual or in-person behavioral health orientation in the spring or the fall. To find the next available orientation date, visit the Behavioral Health Orientation course in D2L.

To access D2L, go to myPikesPeak Portal and locate the myCourses (D2L) card on the home page. Once in D2L, you will see the orientation as an option. 

All behavioral health students pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree will be subject to background check and drug screening. To complete this process, you must: 

  • Log into and establish a student account on Castle Branch 
  • Click the red button to "place an order" 
  • Select Pikes Peak State College 
  • Select Behavioral Health 
  • Choose "I am a new student placing an order for the first time" 
  • Create an account with your student email address (note: do not use a personal email address as this will cause delays in this process) 
  • Select and purchase both a background check and drug screen and follow the instructions.  
  • The cost for both of these items is $115.98 (student responsibility) 
students working together in class

Getting Started in the BAS Program

The Behavioral Health BAS offers two areas of emphasis:
  • Mental Health and Wellness
  • Addiction Recovery
Each emphasis includes a unique sequence of general education, foundational, prerequisite, and cohort coursework designed to prepare students for careers in behavioral health.

Before entering the BAS cohort, students must:
  • Complete a program-approved background check and drug screen (see Step 6 for details)
  • Complete BEH 1001 – Mental Health Crisis and Intervention: Preparedness and Empathy
  • Complete all required foundational and prerequisite coursework prior to cohort entry

Mental Health and Wellness Emphasis

Addiction Recovery Emphasis

Mental Health and Wellness Emphasis

Behavioral Health Info Sessions are held virtually every third Thursday of the month at 12pm. 

Check for virtual event dates and sign up to attend

General Education Coursework

Depending on your previous college coursework, you may need to complete the following general education courses before or during the BAS cohort.

  • BIO 1005 or BIO 1006 – Science of Biology with Lab or Basic Anatomy & Physiology (4 credits)
  • PSY 2000 – Research Methodology (4 credits)
  • PSY 2221 – Social Psychology (3 credits)

Foundational and Prerequisite Coursework

The following foundational and prerequisite coursework prepares students for success in the BAS cohort. Completion of all foundational and prerequisite coursework is expected prior to entering the BAS cohort. Exceptions may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Behavioral Health.

  • PTE 1010 – Introduction to Behavioral Health Care and Wellness (3 credits)
  • BEH 1001 – Mental Health Crisis and Intervention: Preparedness and Empathy (3 credits)
  • BEH 1030 – Behavioral Health Case Management and Clinical Documentation (1 credit)
  • BEH 2030 – Applied Therapeutic Communication Skills (3 credits)
  • CSL 2068 – Addiction Counseling Skills (1.5 credits)

The Mental Health & Wellness BAS cohort is completed in three consecutive semesters (approximately one academic year). Students complete the following courses in the prescribed sequence.

Semester 1 – Advanced Behavioral Health Systems & Trauma-Informed Practice
Students begin the cohort by building advanced behavioral health knowledge, leadership skills, and trauma-informed practice.
• BEH 3001 – Treatment of Mental Health Disorders within Existing Systems (3) 
• BEH 3030 – Behavioral Health Program & Case Management (2) 
• BEH 4020 – Understanding Trauma and PTSD (3) 
• PSY 2112 – Introduction to Addictive Behavior (2) 
• CSL 2050 – Motivational Interviewing I (1.5) 
• Elective Coursework (3) 
Total Semester Credits: 14.5

Semester 2 – Advanced Counseling & Applied Practice
Students continue developing advanced counseling skills while applying behavioral health concepts through practicum experiences.
• BEH 3088 – Behavioral Health Practicum (3) 
• BEH 4030 – Whole Person Care (3) 
• CSL 3050 – Advanced Motivational Interviewing (2) 
• PSY 2551 – Child Abuse and Neglect (3) 
• Elective Coursework (3) 
Total Semester Credits: 14

Semester 3 – Leadership, Internship & Workforce Transition
The final semester emphasizes leadership, professional practice, and internship experiences that prepare students to transition into the behavioral health workforce or graduate education.
• BEH 4080 – Mental Health Internship (5) 
• BEH 4040 – Leadership and Management in Behavioral Healthcare (3) 
• PSY 2107 or PSY 2105 – Human Sexuality or Psychology of Gender (3) 
• Elective Coursework (1) 
Total Semester Credits: 12

Once prerequisite and bridge core classes are completed, you will be fully integrated into the BAS program. Congratulations on your new journey and welcome to the program!

  • Complete a Behavioral Health Orientation
    • Attend a virtual or in-person behavioral health orientation in the spring or the fall. To find the next available orientation date, visit the Behavioral Health Orientation course in D2L.
    • To access D2L, go to myPikesPeak Portal and locate the myCourses (D2L) card on the home page. Once in D2L, you will see the orientation as an option.

All behavioral health students pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree will be subject to background check and drug screening. To complete this process, you must: 

  • Log into and establish a student account on Castle Branch  
  • Click the red button to "place an order" 
  • Select Pikes Peak State College 
  • Select Behavioral Health 
  • Choose "I am a new student placing an order for the first time" 
  • Create an account with your student email address (note: do not use a personal email address as this will cause delays in this process) 
  • Select and purchase both a background check and drug screen and follow the instructions.  
  • The cost for both of these items is $115.98 (student responsibility) 

Addiction Recovery Emphasis

Behavioral Health Info Sessions are held virtually every third Thursday of the month at 12pm. 

Check for virtual event dates and sign up to attend

General Education Coursework

Depending on your previous college coursework, you may need to complete the following general education courses before or during the BAS cohort.

  • BIO 1005 or BIO 1006 – Science of Biology with Lab or Basic Anatomy & Physiology (4 credits)
  • CRJ 1010 – Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
  • PSY 2000 – Research Methodology (4 credits)
  • PSY 2107 or PSY 2105 – Human Sexuality or Psychology of Gender (3 credits)
  • PSY 2221 – Social Psychology (3 credits)

 Foundational and Prerequisite Coursework

The following foundational and prerequisite coursework prepares students for success in the BAS cohort. Completion of all foundational and prerequisite coursework is expected prior to entering the BAS cohort. Exceptions may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Behavioral Health.

  • PTE 1010 – Introduction to Behavioral Health Care and Wellness (3 credits)
  • BEH 1001 – Mental Health Crisis and Intervention: Preparedness and Empathy (3 credits)
  • BEH 1030 – Behavioral Health Case Management and Clinical Documentation (1 credit)
  • BEH 2030 – Applied Therapeutic Communication Skills (3 credits)
  • CSL 2068 – Addiction Counseling Skills (1.5 credits)

 

Additional Addiction Recovery Credentialing Opportunities

The Addiction Recovery emphasis supports additional stackable workforce credentials and Colorado addiction counseling educational pathways. Students interested in pursuing credentials such as the Addiction Recovery Assistant, Certified Addiction Technician (CAT), or Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) educational pathways may complete optional coursework designed to support these credentialing opportunities. Health Science advisors can help students identify the coursework that best aligns with their educational and career goals.

The Addiction Recovery BAS cohort is completed in three consecutive semesters (approximately one academic year). Students complete the following courses in the prescribed sequence.

Semester 1 – Advanced Treatment, Trauma & Leadership

Students begin the cohort by developing advanced knowledge of addiction treatment, trauma-informed care, leadership, and counseling techniques.

  • BEH 3001 – Treatment of Mental Health Disorders within Existing Systems (3 credits)
  • CSL 3028 – Treating Diverse Populations (2 credits)
  • CSL 3030 – Advanced Models in Addiction Treatment (1 credit)
  • BEH 4020 – Understanding Trauma and PTSD (3 credits)
  • BEH 4040 – Leadership and Management in Behavioral Healthcare (3 credits)
  • CSL 2050 – Motivational Interviewing I (1.5 credits)

Total Semester Credits: 13.5

 Semester 2 – Advanced Counseling & Applied Practice

Students continue developing advanced counseling skills while applying addiction recovery concepts through supervised practicum experiences.

  • CSL 3050 – Advanced Motivational Interviewing (2 credits)
  • BEH 4030 – Whole Person Care (3 credits)
  • BEH 3088 – Behavioral Health Practicum (3 credits)
  • Elective Coursework (4 credits)

Total Semester Credits: 12

 Semester 3 – Internship & Clinical Supervision

The final semester emphasizes professional practice through internship, clinical supervision, and workforce preparation.

  • BEH 4081 – Addiction Recovery Internship (5 credits)
  • CSL 4020 – Clinical Supervision I (2 credits)
  • CSL 4021 – Clinical Supervision II (2 credits)
  • Elective Coursework (3 credits)

Total semester credits: 12 hours

Once prerequisite and bridge core classes are completed, you will be fully integrated into the BAS program. Congratulations on your new journey and welcome to the program!

  • Complete a Behavioral Health Orientation
    • Attend a virtual or in-person behavioral health orientation in the spring or the fall. To find the next available orientation date, visit the Behavioral Health Orientation course in D2L.
    • To access D2L, go to myPikesPeak Portal and locate the myCourses (D2L) card on the home page. Once in D2L, you will see the orientation as an option.

All behavioral health students pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree will be subject to background check and drug screening. To complete this process, you must: 

  • Log into and establish a student account on Castle Branch  
  • Click the red button to "place an order" 
  • Select Pikes Peak State College 
  • Select Behavioral Health 
  • Choose "I am a new student placing an order for the first time" 
  • Create an account with your student email address (note: do not use a personal email address as this will cause delays in this process) 
  • Select and purchase both a background check and drug screen and follow the instructions.  
  • The cost for both of these items is $115.98 (student responsibility)