Rise to New Heights in Behavioral Health and Human Services
Work closely with people in need. This flexible, online Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Health and Human Services program goes beyond delivering direct services and focuses on improving accessibility, accountability, and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery. Behavioral health and human service workers help individuals and communities function as effectively as possible in the major domains of living.
Add an Emphasis in Pre-Counseling or Substance Use & Recovery
Students may add an emphasis to work toward meeting certain Colorado state standards for future practice.
Pre-Counseling emphasis courses will help you understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, demonstrate empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions for themselves and the people they will serve.
Substance Use & Recovery emphasis courses allow students to seek certification as an addiction counselor within Colorado. The undergraduate curriculum is designed to meet the core curriculum standards set forth by the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health and help students become certification eligible (Certified Addiction Technician and/or Certified Addiction Specialist).
Behavioral Health and Human Services, BA
College of Education
100% Online
Delivery Method
$452*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate In-state
$653*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate Out-of-state
Priority Application Deadline
Rolling Admissions
Application Deadline
120
Credit Hours
4 Years
Average Completion Time
Career-Relevant Courses
Hands-on coursework will give you valuable experience in the field.
Promote Personal Growth
Grow your own interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
Customize Your Degree
Add an emphasis in Pre-Counseling or Substance Use & Recovery to set you on your desired career path.
Transfer Your Credits
Shorten the time to graduation—have your previously earned college credits evaluated for transfer into UCCS.
Featured Courses
COUN 2950: Fieldwork in Human Services I
Students will engage in an approved Human Services site appropriate for their chosen emphasis area as an introduction to the Human Services field. Additionally, students will learn and practice interview skills, resume building, professional communication, and more.
COUN 3110: Interpersonal Communication, Interviewing, and Mediation Skills
Students in the human service professions will learn interpersonal skills, self-awareness, communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. This course will help students understand the power of effective communication and barriers impacting communication. Conflict, anger, resistance, control and power will be discussed. This course offers a "functional application" of the skills necessary to feel confident in stepping into a role as a Human Service Provider.
COUN 3410: Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning
This course will consider the differences between screening and assessment and use of assessment instruments. It includes biopsychosocial interview, assessing risk for self-harm, identifying cultural needs and supports, problem domains, determining stage of readiness for change and American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) concepts. This course was designed to offer the highest quality of education that is in alignment with state standards and expectations.
COUN 4900: The Science of Behavioral and Process Addictions
Many individuals experience addictive patterns of behavior, such as the overwhelming compulsion to engage in shopping, food, gambling, sex or exercise. This course will examine those Process Addictions and the power they have over many people.
From day one, this program provided me with relevant information and skills to ensure that I'd be able to thrive in whatever area of work I pursue. The coursework is not only deeply engaging and fun, but the faculty truly support and care about the success of their students. I'm beyond grateful for my time spent within the behavioral health program because it's provided me with endless opportunities to grow and explore my passions while meeting like-minded individuals seeking the same educational experience.
– Kenadie R., Student, BA in Behavioral Health & Human Services
Apply Now
Request more information and start the admissions process by filling out the form on this page. Our team will answer your questions about the program and help you prepare to complete the application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
All three programs are focused on preparing you for careers that serve people and communities, but the BA in Behavioral Health and Human Services at UCCS is different from psychology or social work programs because it takes a more technical approach to learning with an emphasis on application. Where psychology or social work might spend more time on theoretical principles, this program offers hands-on learning with opportunities to explore career paths in its fieldwork courses.
This is a functional degree that will help you go straight into fieldwork. Students who earn a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health and human services are also well-prepared with the skills and confidence to complete a graduate-level program. This program is designed to give students opportunities to explore areas of the industry before they commit to a long-term plan, so they will have a unique chance to test out different paths and gain valuable experience.
The BA in Behavioral Health and Human Services program is offered fully online, which means you will not be required to take courses at our campus and there are no on-campus components to this program. The program involves two fieldwork courses where you’ll engage in an approved human services site appropriate for your chosen emphasis area and learn and practice interview skills, resume building, professional communication, and more.
UCCS accepts applications throughout the year through a rolling admissions process. However, submitting your application by the preferred deadlines is advisable.
Our stated application deadlines are as follows, but we admit students up to a week before the semester starts. We have also started admitting students mid-semester before Session B begins.
- Fall Semester: August 1
- Spring Semester: November 1
- Summer Semester: May 1
Upcoming start dates are as follows:
- Fall 2025 – August 25, 2025
- Spring 2026 – January 20, 2026
- Summer 2026 – June 15, 2026
- Fall 2026 – August 24, 2026
- Spring 2027 – January 19, 2027
We’re here to help. We emphasize to all students that faculty members are here for them. As faculty seek to connect with you, feel free to use their flexible office hours or contact them if you need additional help.
A common barrier to success is time management, especially if you are working a full-time job. The online format offers more flexibility and the opportunity to develop better balance among your commitments, but having a plan for completing your studies each week can help you get on track to success early.
Online courses at the University of Colorado are taught by the same professors that teach in-person classes. This ensures that you are receiving the same education and learning experiences as on-campus students. The primary difference is with the delivery format. Your online courses will all be taught in Canvas, the Learning Management System (LMS). You will be responsible for logging in, accessing course content, and completing any requirements of the course.