Mesa Community College (MCC) now offers courses in Applied Behavioral Health Sciences in response to Arizona’s critical mental health workforce shortfall, and the urgent needs of patients and communities in which the college serves, through its Allied Health Department.
The recently launched, two-semester program offers a new Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Applied Behavioral Health, in addition to an abundance of health sciences programs at MCC, that, “will enable students to launch meaningful careers that positively impact lives and benefit the communities in which they will serve,” said Michael Voss, MCC dean of instruction, Applied Sciences and Technology, Business and CIS (Computer Information Systems).
Courses build upon the nurse assisting program, equipping students with the techniques and skills needed to become behavioral health technicians and assistants and to care for patients with mental illnesses such as anxiety, mood, personality and psychotic disorders, and posttraumatic stress syndrome and behavioral issues. It is the first program of its kind within the Maricopa Community Colleges and in the state.
MCC added the program in response to a 2023 ranking by the nonprofit Mental Health America organization that lists Arizona at 49th in the nation for access to adult mental health care. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Statistics anticipates a 13 percent rise in psychiatric technician and aide jobs by 2033.
Class offerings in Fall 2026 include:
- Introduction to Behavioral Health and Social Services
- Professional Resiliency and Well-Being
- Trauma Informed Care and Recovery Treatment
- Cultural Competence in Behavioral Health
- Psychology and Culture
“Thanks to funding from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, students train in a highfidelity Behavioral Health Simulation Lab that mimics real-world care facilities,” said Carol Achs, MCC dean of instruction, Mathematics/Computer Science, Sciences and Exercise Science.
Spaces include a day room for group sessions, child-friendly care areas, secluded one-on-one observation areas, and zones to minimize self-harm tendencies.
Safety features include heavy, ligature-free furniture and magnet-release doors. In the Clinical Room, equipped with hospital-grade blood pressure monitors, beds, and lifelike mannequins, students learn to identify psychological and medical issues and determine and administer treatment.
“Here, students can not only develop essential clinical skills but also strengthen the empathy, communication, and teamwork that are vital in the behavioral health field,” Carol specified.
Scholarships are available for students committed to working in the behavioral health field after graduation. For more information, visit mesacc.edu