Gain the skills you need for a career in behavioral healthcare
The Behavioral Healthcare Support Specialist Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS-BHSS)
program prepares you for careers in mental health, recovery, and wellness, focusing
on practical skills. You will learn about population health, community wellness, and
trauma-informed care as well as responsibilities and ethics required of the BHSS role. With an emphasis on interprofessional collaboration, you will study mental health
disorders, evidence-based interventions, and counseling skills.
The program also develops case management and care coordination skills and addresses
health equity and social justice. Additional coursework includes behavioral health
assessment, screening, referral, goal-setting, telehealth, documentation, laws, and
ethics.
You will be eligible to apply for Behavioral Health Support Specialist certification
through the WA State Department of Health after you graduate.
Interested? Ask us about our Winter 2026 pilot cohort!
We are currently recruiting for a pilot cohort of students to start the program in
winter 2026. Email us at bhss@edmonds.edu for more information!
The BAS-BHSS degree is designed for those with professional-technical academic backgrounds
who strive for career advancement, stronger skills, knowledge, and pathways to higher
degree levels in behavioral health.
Our program is cohort based. This means you will start and complete the program with
the same group of students and have the opportunity to build a strong network.
The current maximum cohort size for BAS-BHSS is 25 students.
The program combines upper-division classes in BHSS and Integrated Healthcare Management
(IHCM).
BHSS classes meet every other Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Some classes are
held in a flexible format and others require in-person attendance.
Required IHCM courses will occur during the second year of the program and will be
offered in a flexible format one evening per week.
An annual schedule will help you plan ahead and be prepared to fit the program into
your life.
Upper-division classes are only required during fall, winter, and spring quarters.
Your remaining lower-division courses can be completed during the required quarters,
during summer, and/or in a third year.
While other bachelor's programs focus on theory, our program dives right into hands-on
training. Students are required to complete two supervised internships, totaling 300
hours.
With smaller class sizes you will get personalized attention and form strong relationships
with your faculty.
The BAS-BHSS program manager will be your assigned advisor and connect you with college
resources that will support your success throughout the program.
Tuition for the program is half the national average! This is based on tuition and fees for BAS degrees at Edmonds College compared to tuition
and fees for all four-year institutions, as calculated by the National Center for
Education Statistics.
What Do I Need Before Applying?
Our students come from varied educational backgrounds. The following prerequisites
are required for our program:
ENGL& 101 - English Composition (or equivalent) with a 2.0 grade or higher
15 credits of general education with a 1.0 grade or higher per course
27 credits of proficiency coursework with a 2.0 grade or higher per course:
SHS 113 - Law and Ethics for Addictions and Human Services
SHS 114 - Counseling and Interviewing Skills
SHS 116 - Cognitive and Behavioral Skills
SHS 117 - Crisis Intervention
SHS 185 - Human Growth and Development
SHS 218 - Survey of Mental Illness and
SHS 121 - Case Management and Community Resources or
SHS 228 - Case Management in Addiction Treatment
Students can apply to the program prior to completing all of their prerequisites as long as the required courses will be
complete by the end of the summer quarter the year they wish to start.
Washington State and educational employees may be eligible for a tuition waiver, as
outlined in RCW 28B.15.558 of the Washington State Legislature. If you hope to use
the tuition waiver for the BAS-BHSS program, please reach out to bhss@edmonds.edu for further discussion and details.
