Mental Health and Addiction Studies, BA
If you’re drawn to helping people through life’s toughest moments, the Mental Health and Addiction Studies program can help turn that passion into a career. You’ll learn how mental health and addiction affect individuals, families, and communities, and how to help people build resilience, access resources, and move toward recovery.
In this program, you’ll examine the systems that shape mental health care, the science behind prevention and treatment, and the role of trauma and adversity across the lifespan. You’ll also build hands-on experience working with diverse populations and gain communication and decision-making skills that are essential in the helping professions.
Graduates are prepared to enter the workforce in mental health and addiction services or continue on to graduate study in counseling, public health, social work, or other health-related fields.
Your Degree Plan
The Mental Health and Addiction Studies major brings together coursework from counseling, psychology, sociology, and child development and family studies. You’ll also study topics that prepare you to work with diverse populations, including aging, disabilities, wellness, and cultural differences.
Through your core classes, you’ll examine the history and development of mental health systems, learn how services are structured and delivered, and explore how trauma, addiction, and recovery affect individuals and communities. The curriculum helps you build a foundation in ethical decision-making, recognize barriers to care, and communicate effectively in professional settings.
Introduction to Addiction Studies
COUN 240
Overview of core concepts related to substance use and substance use disorders. Topics include the history of drug use/addiction, effects on societal members, pharmacology of common psychoactive drugs, theories of addiction, treatment approaches, mutual support, recovery, and relapse.
Prevention in Mental Health
COUN 320
Overview of core concepts related to the prevention of mental illness and addiction. Topics include the evolution of prevention practices, risk and preventive factors, psychosocial and environmental determinants, selecting and evaluating evidence-based models, and health equity.
Trauma, Resiliency, and Children
CDFS 416
Overview of core issues of trauma and its impact on children and families, with an emphasis on growth, learning, and adult relationships. Students apply critical inquiry to explore the broader impact of trauma on society, including individual productivity and financial costs, and develop public awareness and learning material.
Honors
Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.
The WVU Difference
What sets this program apart?
- This major is the first of its kind in West Virginia and one of just a few undergraduate programs in the field nationwide.
- The College of Applied Human Sciences awards nearly $500,000 in scholarships to students each year.
Graduates may qualify for NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program.
Learn by Doing
Get involved outside the classroom.
Complementary minors include:
Students interested in social justice and serving diverse populations might choose 1 of these minors:
Careers and Outcomes
How does this degree prepare students for a career?
Psychiatric Aides
Median Salary: $41,590
Possible Job Titles: Mental Health Worker (MHW), Psychiatric Aide, Residential Care Tech (Residential Care Technician), Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW)
Mental Health Counselors
Has a Bright Outlook
May Require Graduate Degree
Median Salary: $59,190
Possible Job Titles: Clinician, Counselor, Mental Health Specialist, Mental Health Therapist
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Median Salary: $58,570
Possible Job Titles: Case Manager, Family Protection Specialist, Family Service Worker, School Social Worker
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Has a Bright Outlook
May Require Graduate Degree
Median Salary: $60,060
Possible Job Titles: Case Manager, Mental Health Therapist, Social Worker Therapist
Social and Human Service Assistants
Has a Bright Outlook
Median Salary: $45,120
Possible Job Titles: Advocate, Clinical Assistant, Social Work Associate, Social Worker Assistant
Adult Day Care Worker
Suggested minors for students seeking this career:
Child Advocate
Suggested minors for students seeking this career:
Family Support Worker
Suggested minors for students seeking this career:
Group Home Worker
Suggested minors for students seeking this career:
Probation or Parole Officer
Suggested minors for students seeking this career:
Rehabilitation Case Worker
Suggested minors for students seeking this career:
Social Service Liaison
Suggested minors for students seeking this career:
Drug Court Case Manager
Suggested minors for students seeking this career:
Related Professional Organizations
Sober Living House Counselor
Suggested minors for students seeking this career:
Related Professional Organizations
Meet Your Community
The Mental Health and Addiction Studies family will inspire you.
Frankie Tack
Professional Highlights
- Service-Learning Instruction Award, WVU, 2022
- Distinguished Service Award, West Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, 2021
- Laddie R. Bell Distinguished Service Award, WVU College of Education and Human Services, 2020
"Coming from a suburb of Philadelphia, I knew that I could get a job as a drug and alcohol counselor in the major (mental health and addiction studies), and I knew that was what I wanted to do. I like working in the field that I’m studying. I don’t find myself getting overwhelmed because what I learn in class, I then put into practice in my day-to-day life."
Marissa Mangione
"I have never had a professor in this program who wasn’t supportive. On top of that, the program includes a lot of practical, hands-on experiences. We do self-care journals, meditation exercises, and activities that don’t just teach us about mental health, but also help us grow as individuals. It’s been really impactful."
Mary Taylor Shaak
"The faculty makes this program as wonderful as it is. Every professor is motivated to help you succeed. Another great part of my experience at WVU is the number of programs that exist to help students from different backgrounds succeed. Programs such as Collegiate Recovery provide a welcoming environment for any student wanting to get involved in the recovery community or someone who needs some extra support."
Katie Merrill
Mental Health and Addiction Studies
"The faculty and staff that make up this program are truly some of the best people I have ever met. The support I have received from them is more than I have with any other courses I’ve taken at WVU. They notice and they care about their students, and for that I am forever grateful for this program."
Olivia Wix
Mental Health and Addiction Studies, 2025
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Mental Health and Addiction Studies , first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.
Tuition and Aid
How much does Mental Health and Addiction Studies at WVU cost? And how can you save?
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.
Ways to Save
Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.
Financial Aid
The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Mental Health and Addiction Studies, BA is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Ohio Tuition Reciprocity
As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Mental Health and Addiction Studies can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.
Start at Another WVU Campus
You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.
Transfer Articulation Agreements
To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.
Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.
Request Info
Want to know more about Mental Health and Addiction Studies at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.
Visit
Experiencing campus is the best way to see if WVU is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.