The Associate of Applied Science degree in Behavioral Health prepares students for entry-level careers in behavioral health and human services and provides a foundation for continued education.
Choose from two emphases:
Yes. PPSC offers a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Behavioral Health with two emphases:
Students must have a conferred AA, AS, AAS, or AGS degree to enter the BAS. The associate degree does not have to be in Behavioral Health, but additional prerequisite coursework may be required before entering the cohort.
Your program should reflect both your career goals and current level of education.
If you're unsure, a Health Sciences advisor can help you choose the pathway that best fits your goals.
Behavioral Health degrees begin with general education, foundational, and prerequisite coursework, followed by the Behavioral Health cohort. Some remaining general education and elective courses may be completed alongside the cohort.
The cohort is the professional portion of the degree where BEH, CSL, and PTE courses follow a prescribed sequence. This allows students to build skills progressively and prepares them for simulations, clinical experiences, and the behavioral health workforce.
Yes. Before entering the cohort, students have flexibility in the order they complete general education, elective, and prerequisite courses and may attend full or part time.
Once students enter the Behavioral Health cohort, BEH, CSL, and PTE cohort courses follow a prescribed sequence.
No. Students should not plan to complete the entire degree online. Some courses may be offered online, but the program includes applied learning that may require in-person coursework, simulations, clinical experiences, or other hands-on activities.
The Center for Healthcare Education and Simulation (CHES) is the primary location for Behavioral Health courses and simulations. Some courses may be offered online or at other PPSC locations.
Yes. Depending on the course, students may participate in simulations, clinical experiences, service learning, and other applied-learning experiences.
These experiences allow students to practice skills such as active listening, de-escalation, crisis intervention, risk assessment, trauma-informed care, documentation, and professional boundaries.
No. When you reach the clinical portion of your program, the clinical coordination team at CHES will work with you to arrange your clinical experience. Students should not arrange clinical placements independently.
Students develop skills in communication, active listening, crisis intervention, de-escalation, trauma-informed care, cultural awareness, ethical decision-making, professional boundaries, assessment, documentation, and working effectively with individuals and groups.
Visit the PPSC Behavioral Health webpage to review current degree requirements, course descriptions, program options, and recommended course sequences.
Visit the PPSC Behavioral Health Program Options page to review the recommended course sequence for your degree and emphasis.
Once you enter the cohort, BEH, CSL, and PTE cohort courses should be taken in the prescribed sequence.
Follow your recommended degree plan and course sequence when selecting classes.
For help planning, scheduling, and registering in Navigate, visit the PPSC Registration Process and Video Tutorials.
Complete all required prerequisites and other designated pre-cohort requirements for your degree pathway.
Students pursuing an AAS or BAS in Behavioral Health must also complete the required background check and drug screening. Some general education and elective courses may be taken alongside cohort courses to help students maintain full-time enrollment.
Students pursuing an AAS or BAS in Behavioral Health must complete the program-approved background check and drug screening before enrolling in BEH 1001 and before entering the cohort.
A few important things to know:
Possibly. Submit official transcripts to PPSC for evaluation. How credits apply depends on your previous coursework and current degree requirements.
Yes. You may take classes part time. Cohort courses follow a planned sequence, so students taking fewer courses can pick up with the next courses in the sequence when they are offered.
Part-time enrollment may extend the time needed to complete the degree.
Because cohort courses build upon one another, this may delay your progression. Contact a Health Sciences advisor to determine how to adjust your course sequence.
Not necessarily. Courses are scheduled according to cohort progression and program needs. Following your recommended course sequence and registering early can help you stay on track.
Possibly. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) may be available for previous education, industry credentials, professional licensure, or documented experience. Eligibility varies by student and program.
Courses may be canceled because of low enrollment or other scheduling circumstances. Registering early is important because enrollment can affect whether a course has enough students to run.
If a cohort course is canceled, contact a Health Sciences advisor to adjust your course plan and stay on track.
Yes! PPSC partners with AdvanceEDU to provide additional support for Behavioral Health students.
Students who qualify and enroll with AdvanceEDU may receive one-on-one success coaching, academic and career support, help navigating financial resources, and connections to career-related opportunities.
AdvanceEDU is an additional support resource and does not replace your PPSC Health Sciences advisor. Visit AdvanceEDU to learn more about eligibility and available services.
Your Health Sciences advisor should be your first point of contact for degree planning, registration, prerequisites, course selection, and program progression.
Health Sciences advisors are specifically trained by the Behavioral Health Director on Behavioral Health requirements and cohort sequencing.
Schedule with your assigned team through Navigate, visit the Advising front desk, or call 719-502-2000 for help scheduling an appointment.
Contact the Behavioral Health Director when your situation requires an exception, individual review, or case-by-case decision that cannot be resolved through standard advising.
Stephanie Krawzyk, Behavioral Health Director
Office: 719-502-2363
Cell: 719-619-6672
Email: stephanie.krawzyk@pikespeak.edu
Behavioral Health is about helping people navigate mental health, substance use, trauma, crisis, and other challenges that affect their overall well-being. It is a hands-on field for people who want to work directly with individuals and make a difference in their lives.
Behavioral Health, Psychology, and Social Work overlap, but they are not the same:
If you want a hands-on career helping people through mental health, substance use, crisis, trauma, or other life challenges, Behavioral Health may be a great fit.
Behavioral Health graduates can work in mental health and substance use treatment programs, healthcare organizations, residential programs, recovery centers, community agencies, and human service organizations.
Mental Health & Social Work AAS
Addiction Recovery AAS
Mental Health & Wellness BAS
Addiction Recovery BAS
*Job titles and requirements vary by employer, and some positions may require additional credentials or experience.
Yes! One of the benefits of the Behavioral Health programs is that students may qualify for entry-level positions and earn certificates along the way while continuing toward their degree.
Yes. The BAS can provide a strong foundation for graduate programs in counseling, psychology, social work, behavioral health, or related fields.
Graduate programs have different admission and prerequisite requirements, so research programs early if graduate school is part of your long-term plan. Completing the BAS does not guarantee admission or that all prerequisites for a specific graduate program have been met.
According to the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Psychiatric Aide, Community Health Worker, and Health Navigator positions average approximately $42,000–$46,000 per year, while Certified Addiction Technicians (CAT) average approximately $31,500 per year.
Actual salaries vary by position, employer, experience, credentials, and location.
A criminal record may prevent you from entering or continuing in the Behavioral Health program and may limit future clinical placement, employment, certification, or licensure opportunities.
All AAS and BAS students must successfully complete the required background check and drug screening. PPSC Human Resources determines eligibility based on background check results, and students who do not meet drug screening requirements cannot continue until program requirements are met.
Students with concerns about either requirement are strongly encouraged to consider this before pursuing a Behavioral Health degree.
PPSC offers several certificates that can be completed on their own or earned while working toward a Behavioral Health degree:
Visit the PPSC Behavioral Health Program Options page to learn more about each certificate and how it may fit into your degree pathway.
Earning a PPSC certificate or degree does not automatically award professional certification or licensure.
Yes! A stackable credential allows you to earn a certificate while continuing toward a larger degree.
Certificate coursework may also count toward your AAS or BAS, allowing you to build your résumé, demonstrate specific skills, and potentially enter the workforce while continuing your education.
Certificates may also be completed on their own without pursuing a degree.
Completing the required courses does not automatically award the certificate. Students must apply for graduation each time they complete a certificate.
Yes. The PPSC Addiction Recovery Assistant Certificate may prepare students for entry-level positions in addiction treatment and recovery settings.
The Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) is a separate Colorado professional credential. Students pursuing the CAT must meet additional state certification requirements.
Depending on your education and career goals, you may pursue credentials such as:
Requirements vary and may include additional education, supervised experience, examinations, and other state requirements. Students should review current requirements with the appropriate credentialing or licensing agency.
Yes, but professional certification and licensing requirements vary by state.
PPSC cannot guarantee that its Behavioral Health programs meet certification or licensing requirements outside Colorado. Students planning to pursue a regulated credential in another state should review that state's requirements before enrolling or seeking certification or licensure.