BHSS Program Frequently Asked Questions

The following list includes general examples; future career options are not limited to this list.

• Behavioral Health Support Specialist
• Case Manager
• Mental Health Specialist
• Clinical Support Specialist
• Mental Health Care Coordinator
• Behavior Specialist
• Other positions in social services that require bachelor degrees

Admission into the BAS-BHSS program is by application only and has its own admission process in addition to the general Edmonds College admissions process. At this time, the BHSS program begins every fall quarter. Please see the application process for more information on admission guidelines.

At this time, BHSS is not approved for international students utilizing F-1 visas. We are actively seeking program approvals that may change this in the future, so please check back for updates.

The BHSS program follows a cohort model, which means all students begin at the same time and take the same sequence of classes together. Each cohort can have a maximum of 25 students.

Yes, the following courses are prerequisites for the program. If you have these courses completed by the end of the summer term the year you apply, you are eligible for the program.

• ENGL& 101 - English Composition (2.0+ grade)
• 15 credits of general education (passing grade)
• 27 credits of proficiency (2.0+ grade 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

Please contact the BHSS Program Manager for a preliminary review of your transcripts and to design your pathway to the program.

If you begin the program with an approved, completed Associate of Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) degree from Edmonds College,  you will complete the program in two years. This assumes you are enrolled full-time with 15 credits per quarter.

If you are still completing your AAS-T or are transferring from another school, it may require more time. If you are still working on an AAS-T at Edmonds should review 'Option 2' of our Pathways to BHSS. Their pathway typically takes three years to complete. You should contact the program for a more specific estimate if you are a transfer student.

BHSS classes are only offered once per year. To keep you on track for timely graduation, plan your courses carefully and aim to successfully complete everything required each term. The BHSS Program Manager will work with you on a case-by-case basis to customize an academic plan. 

The BHSS program will have a mix of flexible learning courses and in-person meetings. You can choose whether to attend your flexible course in person or virtually. You will take both BHSS and Integrated Healthcare Management (IHCM) courses to meet you upper-division requirements.

BHSS courses will be held every other Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. IHCM courses will be completed in the second year of the program and will be held one evening a week between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The schedule for both will be available to you annually for planning purposes.

Please note: these class times are for the upper division BHSS/IHCM courses of the program only. Lower division course times will vary based on the options you choose. The number of general education and/or proficiency credits you need in addition to your upper-division classes will vary student to student.

Yes! We have two entry points for you depending on you prior coursework. View our Pathways to BHSS for more details.

If you are applying for fall 2026, this means you must have your prerequisites successfully completed by the end of summer 2026.

Tuition for upper division (300-400 level) BHSS and IHCM courses will cost more than the regular lower division tuition. Please visit the Edmonds College Tuition webpage for specific tuition amounts. Tuition is subject to change each year. Total tuition will vary based on how many upper-division and lower-division credits are taken in the same quarter.

Tuition breaks are given when you are enrolled in more than 10 credits per quarter. Please visit the BAS-BHSS Tuition and Fees page for more details.

The U.S. Department of Education has approved this program for Federal Student Aid. You are encouraged to fill out a FAFSA before the due date for fall quarter. Please see Financial Aid for more details, including state-based aid opportunities for students who are not eligible for FAFSA. 

VA Education Benefits are not yet approved for use with our program. We are actively working to gain approval, so check back soon for an update.

Worker Retraining funds are also approved for this program.

The Washington State Opportunity Baccalaureate Scholarship may be utilized for our program. Their application period typically starts in January and ends in February.

There are annual scholarships available from the Edmonds College Foundation. The application period for these scholarships typically begins in February and ends in April.

Yes! Edmonds College was granted accreditation at the baccalaureate level by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) in January 2019. This includes the accreditation of the BAS in Behavioral Health Support Specialist degree program.

Graduates of the BAS-BHSS program are eligible to apply to related graduate school programs. Potential degrees can include, but are not limited to:

• Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
• Master of Arts in Child & Adolescent Psychology
• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling
• Master of Science in Research Psychology
• Master of Social Work