Academic Program Proposal

Date Proposal Activated	Institution and Proposal	Degree Awarded	Academic Program Name	Objection Deadline	MHEC Final Action	Final Decision Date
	Cecil College Proposal	Associate of Science (A.S.)	Public Health to include an AoC in Behavioral Health Counseling	2/12/2023	Approved	2/28/2023
Public Health to include an AoC in Behavioral Health Counseling Program Description
The Behavioral Health Counseling Concentration will prepare students to apply to the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists for a certificate as a behavioral health counseling trainee. In addition, graduates may choose to transfer to a public or community health degree program at a four-year institution. Because of a shortage of public health workers in Cecil County, including mental health professionals, <br>this program was developed in consultation with the Cecil County Health Department to prepare generalists who can continue their studies at the bachelor’s level and beyond. By <br>introducing students to this new field, this program directly supports Cecil College’s mission to provide a supportive learning environment to students as they build the skills <br>and knowledge to achieve academic success, prepare to transfer, and enter the workforce.