Certificate in Faith Based Mental Health Counseling, Behavioral Health

Total program length

18 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Six to nine months

General education

Not required

Professional application courses

3 credit hours

Academic unit

HBIU Training Institute

Total credits

18

Duration

1 years

• Analyze psychological principles that inform behavioral health support within diverse community settings.
• Apply ethical decision-making models to complex scenarios involving individuals and faith-based organizations.
• Evaluate the impact of community support systems on individual well-being and social stability.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to promote holistic approaches to mental health and wellness.
• Integrate biblical stewardship and servant leadership principles into professional practice and organizational service.
• Design a comprehensive project that addresses a critical behavioral health issue through an informed, faith-centered lens.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• PSY101
• Principles of Human Behavior
• 2
• None
• SOC120
• Sociology of Community Health
• 2
• None
• COU200
• Foundations of Ethical Service
• 2
• None
• PHI150
• Foundations of Professional Ethics
• 3
• None
• PSY101 — Principles of Human Behavior: This course explores fundamental psychological theories and their application to understanding individual and group behavior. Students examine the intersections of development, motivation, and social interaction. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC120 — Sociology of Community Health: This course analyzes the social structures and environmental factors that influence behavioral health at the community level. Emphasis is placed on the role of nonprofit engagement in improving population wellness. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU200 — Foundations of Ethical Service: This course examines ethical decision-making frameworks for those serving in behavioral health and community support environments. It emphasizes the importance of integrity, stewardship, and professional boundaries. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHI150 — Foundations of Professional Ethics: This course examines fundamental moral theories and their application to professional conduct within clinical and community service settings. Students evaluate ethical decision-making frameworks and regulatory standards governing mental health and social services. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• COU310
• Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
• 2
• PSY101
• MGT320
• Servant Leadership in Nonprofit Settings
• 2
• COU200
• RES350
• Community Needs Assessment
• 3
• SOC120
• CAP400
• Capstone: Integrative Project
• 2
• RES350
• COU310 — Introduction to Interpersonal Communication: This course develops core communication competencies essential for supportive interactions within behavioral health settings. Focus is placed on active listening, empathy, and professional rapport building. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT320 — Servant Leadership in Nonprofit Settings: This course investigates the theory and practice of servant leadership in the context of organizational management and community service. Students learn how to lead with a focus on stewardship and collective mission success. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES350 — Community Needs Assessment: This course provides methodologies for researching, identifying, and evaluating behavioral health needs in local communities. Students learn to use data-informed approaches to propose viable support solutions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP400 — Capstone: Integrative Project: This culminating project requires students to design a comprehensive initiative addressing a specific behavioral health need within a community setting. The project integrates ethical reasoning, research, and servant leadership into a final report and proposal. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, with preference given to candidates who have completed some postsecondary coursework. Admission is contingent upon the submission of an application, official academic transcripts, and a statement of intent detailing the applicant's commitment to community service, ethical leadership, and alignment with the institution’s faith-based values. Culminating Project The Capstone Project serves as the final, integrative experience for the certificate, requiring students to demonstrate both academic mastery and internal spiritual formation. Students are tasked with designing and presenting a comprehensive initiative that addresses a specific need in a community behavioral health setting. This project allows for the synthesis of course knowledge with a Christian worldview, requiring the application of ethical reasoning, servant leadership, and stewardship in every deliverable. The project deliverables consist of a formal research paper and a project proposal that details implementation strategies for a community-based organization. Through this process, students demonstrate their ability to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical, faith-informed character development, proving their readiness to serve as agents of integrity and compassion in their respective professional and community spheres.

• Graduation from the certificate program requires the completion of 18 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students must successfully pass all required courses, including the final Capstone Project, while demonstrating evidence of professional and spiritual growth throughout the duration of the program.
• Beyond academic requirements, students are encouraged to engage in ongoing spiritual formation and community service activities that align with the institution's mission. The program seeks to ensure that graduates possess not only the necessary technical and intellectual competencies but also the moral fiber, ethical integrity, and servant-hearted commitment necessary to effectively contribute to the missions of faith-based and nonprofit organizations.
• Career Opportunities
• Behavioral Health Support Specialist
• Community Outreach Coordinator
• Nonprofit Program Assistant
• Case Management Liaison
• Youth and Family Support Aide
• Faith-Based Community Liaison
• Volunteer Services Manager
• Important Notices
• The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
• HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
• HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
• Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
• The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
• Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
• Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
• This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
• Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
• Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
• Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
• Credential abbreviation | Certificate in Faith Based Mental Health Counseling
• Total program length | 18 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Six to nine months
• General education | Not required
• Foundational faith based mental health counseling courses | 12 credit hours
• Professional application courses | 3 credit hours
• Final applied project | 3 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PSY101 | Principles of Human Behavior | 2 | None
• SOC120 | Sociology of Community Health | 2 | None
• COU200 | Foundations of Ethical Service | 2 | None
• PHI150 | Foundations of Professional Ethics | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU310 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 2 | PSY101
• MGT320 | Servant Leadership in Nonprofit Settings | 2 | COU200
• RES350 | Community Needs Assessment | 3 | SOC120
• CAP400 | Capstone: Integrative Project | 2 | RES350