7 Behavioral Health Jobs Herzing Can Help You Prepare For

America is facing a mental and behavioral health care crisis. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than one in five adults in the United States live with some form of mental illness. Meanwhile, the U.S. Health Resource Services Administration reports that 154 million Americans live in a designated mental health professional shortage area, and estimates that more than 7,600 practitioners are needed to meet demand.

Herzing University offers diploma and degree programs in behavioral health designed to prepare a new generation of professionals for service. Depending on the program you choose, you can prepare for a career in health and human services, psychology, social work or psychiatric mental health nursing. 

This guide offers an overview of eight behavioral health roles you can start preparing for by studying with Herzing, including information about national workforce trends, duties, and more.

Health and Human Services Jobs

When people think of behavioral health careers, they don’t often think of health and human services (HHS) jobs. However, HHS professionals play important roles in keeping community health organizations running so that people can access services they need. 

Herzing’s Health and Human Services programs are designed to prepare you to do everything from provide administrative support for programs to working directly with families, the elderly, individuals with substance use disorders or mental illness, former inmates, immigrants and more.

1. Community Health Worker

• Typical duties: Community health workers promote wellness by helping people adopt healthy behaviors. They conduct outreach through home visits, provide culturally appropriate health and informational resources, oversee case management, advocate for housing and food security, and offer coaching and social support — including for mental health and substance use recovery.
• Median national salary: $51,030 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2024).*
• Projected job growth: 11% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average growth rate for all occupations (BLS).
• Education required: Typically a high school diploma or equivalent, but some employers may prefer candidates with postsecondary education.
• Herzing programs that can prepare you: We offer a 16-month associate degree in health and human services that can build a foundation for this role.

2. Social and Human Service Assistant

• Typical duties: Social and human service assistants coordinate client services across fields such as psychology, rehabilitation and social work. They help determine what kind of aid a client needs, research applicable programs, assist with paperwork and follow up to make sure clients are getting the support they need.
• Median national salary: $45,120 per year (BLS, May 2024).
• Projected job growth: 6% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the average for all occupations (BLS).
• Education required: High school diploma or equivalent, though some employers may prefer an associate or bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field.
• Herzing programs that can prepare you: Herzing’s eight-month Diploma in Health and Human Services is designed to prepare you for social and human service assistant roles quickly. Plus, credit from the diploma may transfer to our associate or bachelor’s programs. 

3. Social and Community Service Manager

• Typical duties: Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being. They work with community stakeholders to identify what’s needed, oversee program operations, analyze data on program effectiveness, manage outreach, write proposals for funding and supervise staff who deliver services.
• Median national salary: $78,240 per year (BLS, May 2024).
• Projected job growth: 6% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the average for all occupations (BLS).
• Education required: Typically a bachelor’s degree plus work experience in a related occupation; some positions also require a master’s degree.
• Herzing programs that can prepare you: Herzing offers a 32-month Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services (for entry-level management roles) and a 12-month Master of Science in Health and Human Services Leadership (for executive-level roles). Qualifying students in the bachelor’s program can complete up to three master’s-level courses for dual credit.

Psychology Jobs

A bachelor’s degree in psychology gives you a broad foundation in human behavior — a versatile credential that can prepare you for entry-level roles in education, community programs and social services or serve as the first step toward a graduate degree in psychology or a related field. Herzing’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology is 100% online and designed to be completed at your pace.

4. Health Education Specialist

• Typical duties: Health education specialists develop programs that teach people about behaviors and conditions affecting well-being. They assess the health needs of individuals and communities, develop materials and events, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, help people find services and provide training for community health workers and other providers.
• Median national salary: $63,000 per year (BLS, May 2024).
• Projected job growth: 4% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the average for all occupations (BLS).
• Education required: Typically a bachelor’s degree; common majors include health education, health promotion, social science, business and healthcare-related fields. Some employers may require or prefer certification.
• Herzing programs that can prepare you: Our 32-month, fully online Bachelor of Science in Psychology includes 25 credits of behavioral health courses that can prepare you for health education specialist roles.

5. Substance Abuse Counselor

• Typical duties: Substance abuse counselors help clients with addiction disorders build skills to recover or modify behavior through group or individual counseling. These counselors will conduct sessions, document progress and provide advice and education to clients’ family members. They will also work alongside other professionals involved in their clients’ care, including psychiatrists, physicians, and social workers to help coordinate the care they provide. Finally, substance abuse counselors can refer clients to additional resources.
• Median national salary: $59,190 per year (BLS, May 2024).
• Projected job growth: 17% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the average for all occupations (BLS).
• Education required: Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor roles typically require at least a bachelor’s degree (BLS). Additional certification or licensure may be required depending on where you live or the type of organization you plan to work for.
• Herzing programs that can prepare you: Herzing’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology includes behavioral health coursework that covers counseling skills and addiction treatment. If you’re interested in pursuing this pathway, make sure you research whether additional certification or licensure is required where you live.

Social Work Jobs

Social work careers range from entry-level support roles to licensed clinical practice. Herzing’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) prepares you for nonclinical support positions in the field. It can also serve as a pathway into a Master of Social Work (MSW), which prepares graduates for licensure and clinical roles.

6. Social Worker

• Typical duties: Social workers help individuals, groups and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Social workers fall into two groups: non-clinical and clinical. Non-clinical social workers identify people in need, assess goals, connect clients with community resources, respond to crises and maintain case records. Clinical social workers are licensed to diagnose and treat mental, behavioral and emotional disorders, and may provide individual, group, family and couples therapy.
• Median national salary: $61,330 per year (BLS, May 2024).
• Projected job growth: 6% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the average for all occupations (BLS).
• Education required: A BSW is the most common requirement for entry-level nonclinical positions. Clinical social workers need an MSW, supervised clinical experience and a state license (BLS).
• Herzing programs that can prepare you: Our CSWE-accredited¹ online MSW program is designed to prepare you for clinical practice. You’ll complete 900 total field practicum hours (with an opportunity for paid and employment-based experiences). You’ll also have the opportunity to tailor your degree, with a choice of electives from three areas of practice: Children, Families and Aging Services, Medical Social Work and Mental Health.

Mental Health Nursing Jobs

If you’re a nurse (or aspire to become one), you can make a difference in mental health by pursuing certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).  Herzing offers several PMHNP program options designed for nurses at different points in their careers.

7. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

• Typical duties: Advanced practice psychiatric nurses provide primary mental health care. They may assess patients’ mental and physical status, diagnose psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions, document patient histories and treatment plans, educate patients and families about mental health and medications, write prescriptions for medication (as allowed by state regulations), monitor medication usage and conduct individual, group or family psychotherapy.
• Median national salary: The BLS reports that nurse practitioners in all specialties earn a median salary of $129,210 per year (May 2024).
• Projected job growth: Nurse practitioner roles are among the fastest-growing in the nation. The BLS projects 40% growth for all NP specialties from 2024–2034. (BLS)
• Education required: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a PMHNP specialty, plus board certification.
• Herzing programs that can prepare you: Herzing offers multiple PMHNP program pathways, including an MSN specialty, a DNP specialty and a post master’s certificate program. If you’re a registered nurse (RN) without a bachelor’s, you can complete an RN to MSN pathway. If you’re not a nurse yet, but you hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, you can pursue an MSN – Direct Entry to gain initial licensure as a nurse, then move on to the PMHNP post-master’s certificate. Herzing’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).²

All paths lead to the Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH)

No matter which career pathway you choose, all roads can eventually lead to earning a Doctor of Behavioral Health. 

The DBH offers a clinical and a management specialization, offering unique doctoral-level pathways for clinical practitioners (LCSW, NP) and administrative leaders who have earned master’s degrees in HHS or business administration (MBA).

The DBH can position you for hospital administration, health care management, clinical managerial positions, and a host of potential career opportunities in leadership.

You can earn your DBH from Herzing, advance your skills, and become a leader in healthcare.

Find the Right Behavioral Health Program for You

You have a career goal, and we want to help you reach it. Whether you’re starting out in health and human services, building a foundation in psychology, pursuing social work or training to become a psychiatric mental health NP, Herzing offers behavioral health programs designed for you. Get in touch to learn more about our programs and how we can help you take the step toward a meaningful career.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What behavioral health programs does Herzing University offer?

You can prepare for a career in behavioral health at Herzing through four program areas: health and human services, psychology, social work and psychiatric mental health nursing. In health and human services, you can choose a diploma, associate, bachelor's or master's program. 

In psychology, you can earn a bachelor’s degree. In social work, Herzing offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW).¹ And in mental health nursing, you have multiple pathways to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). 

All career pathways in behavioral health can potentially culminate in the Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH), the terminal degree in the field. 

2. How do Herzing's Health and Human Services programs prepare students?

Herzing's HHS programs are designed to prepare you to work behind the scenes or on the front lines of community health. You'll develop skills to provide administrative support for programs or work directly with clients. 

3. What can I expect from Herzing's psychology and social work programs?

If you're drawn to the science of human behavior, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology online with Herzing in 32 months — at your pace, and with 25 credits of behavioral health coursework woven into the program. It's a versatile foundation, designed to prepare you for entry-level roles in community programs, education or social services, or as a step toward graduate study.

If social work is your path, Herzing offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) — both online.¹ The BSW includes practicum courses and can qualify you for admission to the advanced standing MSW, which you can finish in as few as 12 months. In the MSW, you'll complete 900 total field practicum hours, with the opportunity for paid and employment-based experiences, and you'll be able to tailor your degree by choosing electives from three areas of practice: Children, Families and Aging Services; Medical Social Work; and Mental Health.

4. What are Herzing's psychiatric mental health nursing program options?

If you're a nurse — or you're working toward becoming one — you can prepare for certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at Herzing through a pathway designed for your starting point. You can pursue an MSN with a PMHNP specialty, a DNP with a PMHNP specialty or a post master’s PMHNP certificate. 

If you're a registered nurse (RN) without a bachelor's degree, you can begin with the RN to MSN pathway. If you hold a bachelor's degree in another field but haven't become a nurse yet, the MSN-DE (Direct Entry) helps you gain initial licensure as a nurse. Then you can move on to the post master’s PMHNP certificate.

5. What scholarships and grants does Herzing offer for behavioral health students?

Herzing awarded more than $19M in scholarships and grants to qualified students in 2024. Our financial aid team can help you determine which opportunities you may be eligible for. 

6. What tuition benefits does Herzing offer for military-connected behavioral health students?

Herzing is proud to serve military-connected students. Qualifying students can use VA chapter and federal benefits, including GI Bill® benefits.3 Other opportunities may include:

• HU Active-Duty Military Appreciation Grant 
• HU Military and First Responder's Appreciation Grant 
• Enrollment fee waiver for all military-connected applicants

Herzing's dedicated military student advisors can help you understand what benefits and support may be available to you.