{"id":45900,"date":"2019-12-17T20:16:58","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T20:16:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/academics.otc.edu\/sur\/?page_id=45900"},"modified":"2022-05-20T16:18:34","modified_gmt":"2022-05-20T16:18:34","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/academics.otc.edu\/bhs\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Behavioral Health Support FAQs<\/h1>\n

Consult our BHS FAQs for answers about admission, acceptance and schedules.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_toggle title=”How long does it take to complete the A.A.S. Behavioral Health Support program?” el_id=”1446673619277-03d42e22-d585″]<\/p>\n

How long does it take to complete?<\/h4>\n

Students in the Behavioral Health Support program are part of a cohort.\u00a0 After completing all pre-admission courses and being accepted into the program, students will complete in approximately a year and a half.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What facilities may a graduate of the A.A.S. Behavioral Health Support program be employed?” el_id=”1446673632090-c3144ad8-8a30″]<\/p>\n

Employment<\/h4>\n

Employment options include case management, Community Support Specialist or In Home Specialist through our Department of Mental Health facility partners.\u00a0 Students may work in substance use, intensive treatment, school based or mental health focused departments.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Where can I work with this degree?”]The BHS program is affiliated with the state’s Department of Mental Health locations.\u00a0 In this area, that is Burrell Behavioral Health, Compass, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health Center and Clark Center.\u00a0 Students are able to participate in practicum hours at additional not-for-profit locations if they prefer and if space is available.<\/p>\n

If a student is considering working out of the state of Missouri, the student would have to have an undergraduate degree.\u00a0 The student could complete the program and work while they get their undergraduate education.\u00a0 This would help them in the long run because a lot of facilities are looking for people with experience.\u00a0 That way they would have both.<\/p>\n

The links for the DMH may be found below:<\/p>\n

Burrell Behavioral Health<\/a>
\nClark Community Mental Health Center<\/a>
\nCompass Health Network<\/a>
\nSoutheast Missouri Behavioral Health<\/a>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What is the employment outlook and expected starting salary range anticipated upon completing the program?” el_id=”1446673631651-2df033ff-2db7″]<\/p>\n

What is the employment outlook?<\/h4>\n

Polls of potential local employers revealed that the anticipated beginning salary range for a new graduate of the A.A.S. Behavioral Health Support program is $35000 – $41000. Research organizations rate employment possibilities in these fields as excellent.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”As a student in the A.A.S. Behavioral Health Support program, what would my typical course schedule look like?” el_id=”1458767222745-d2710ab0-b32d”]<\/p>\n

What is a typical course schedule?<\/h4>\n

A student in the A.A.S. in Behavioral Health Support program will complete the General Education courses at dates\/times that are convenient for their schedule. Students work these courses around the completion of the BHS course requirements.<\/p>\n

Students will complete BHS courses during daytime hours one day a week. Practicums take place in semesters three, four and five of the program.\u00a0 Each student will spend 10-12 hours a week at a community facility, in addition to classroom hours.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What is the difference between an Associate of Arts in Behavioral Science and an Associate of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support?” el_id=”1467031940418-9a383d23-6955″]<\/p>\n

What is the difference of Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science?<\/h4>\n

OTC currently offers an Associate of Arts in Behavioral Science. This degree prepares students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions. Once there, they can pursue bachelor\u2019s degrees in psychology, criminology, social work or similar fields of study.<\/p>\n

The program intends the\u00a0new A.A.S. in Behavioral Health Support<\/strong>\u00a0to specifically prepare students who plan to immediately enter the workforce in clinical settings.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Included in BHS 291, BHS 292 and BHS 293 are \u201cField Practicums.\u201d What are Field Practicums?” el_id=”1467031942608-591a4e75-eda3″]<\/p>\n

What are Field practicums?<\/h4>\n

During these three courses, the program assigns students various mental health community agencies. There, students will apply the concepts learned in the classroom to the job description and responsibilities of the behavioral health support role.<\/p>\n