Build Your Future in Behavioral Health
Explore rewarding careers in behavioral health. Whether you’re a student, a working professional, or a community member interested in advocacy, North Carolina’s community colleges offer flexible training options to help you make an impact.
Start your journey today. Get connected to the right program.
Why Behavioral Health?
The demand for behavioral health professionals is growing rapidly in North Carolina and across the nation. From counseling and peer support to community advocacy and administrative roles, opportunities are expanding every day.
Not all roles require a clinical license — you can make a difference through non-clinical pathways, continuing education, or by advancing your current career.
Program Pathways
Continuing Education (CE): Short courses and CE credits to stay current in the field.
Certificates: Specialized training to gain practical skills quickly.
Associate Degrees: Comprehensive programs preparing you for entry-level careers or transfer opportunities.
Flexible Learning Options
NC’s community colleges make it possible to learn the way that works best for you:
- Online and In-Person Programs available statewide.
- Apprenticeships & Earn-While-You-Learn options to gain experience while completing your training.
Participating Colleges
Programs are currently available at these NC community colleges — with new colleges joining regularly.
FAQ's
Is this program strictly focused on traditional behavioral health tracks, or is it open to supporting a broader range of behavioral health programs and workforce development?
This program is designed to be flexible and open to supporting a wide range of behavioral health workforce development initiatives. While we have specific degree and certificate programs available, we're also interested in exploring creative solutions to address broader behavioral health workforce needs in partnership with local agencies and organizations. Our goal is to collaborate and find ways we can leverage the community college system to improve behavioral health outcomes.
What specific degree and certificate programs are available through this initiative?
Some of the key programs include:
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Social & Human Services
- Certificates in areas like Child Advocacy Studies and Alcohol & Drug Counseling
- Advanced Direct Support Professional (DSP) training
- And we're continuously working to develop new continuing education and workforce training options based on community needs.
How do the costs of these community college programs compare to 4-year university options?
The community college programs through the Behavioral Health Workforce Collaborative are significantly more affordable compared to 4-year university options.
Specifically, the first two years of the AAS degree in Social and Human Services at a community college cost around one-third of what those same two years would cost at a four-year university. This allows students to complete their initial education at a significantly lower cost before transferring to a four-year school to pursue a bachelor's degree, such as a BSW.
The affordability of the community college pathway is a significant benefit, as it helps students minimize student debt as they begin their careers in behavioral health. We encourage anyone interested to explore these more cost-effective options through the Collaborative.
Can students complete these programs while staying in their local communities, or do they need to relocate?
One of the key advantages of the programs offered through the Behavioral Health Workforce Collaborative is the ability for students to complete their education while staying in their local communities.
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Social and Human Services, for example, is available at 41 different community college campuses across North Carolina. This means students can take classes close to home and get the training they need to become a Qualified Professional in behavioral health, without having to relocate or move away from their families and support systems.
The flexibility to stay local is a major benefit of the community college pathway, compared to attending a 4-year university that may be located farther away. Students can get an affordable, high-quality education in behavioral health while remaining rooted in their home communities.
Get connected to a program today and start building your future.
