Build Foundational Mental Health Competency
The Mental Health Foundations Electives provide essential knowledge and practical skills for recognizing and responding to mental health needs in clinical and community settings.
Designed for students in the M.S. in Sports Medicine, M.S. in Clinical Nutrition and Functional Medicine, and Doctor of Chiropractic programs, these electives consist of three 2-credit courses offered fully online. Coursework focuses on strengthening your understanding of mental health concerns and how to respond appropriately within your scope of practice.
Mental Health Foundations Courses
Taught by licensed mental health professionals, these electives deepen your understanding of mental health needs across clinical and community settings.
Identifying Mental Illness
Recognize the signs and symptoms of the most common mental and behavioral health diagnoses, including mood, anxiety, psychotic, substance use, and sleep disorders. This course also explores suicide risk, the impact of trauma, and how mental illnesses often co-occur with other medical illnesses and injuries.
(Elective available to students in M.S. in Sports Medicine, M.S. in Clinical Nutrition and Functional Medicine, and Doctor of Chiropractic programs during fall and spring terms.)
Mental Health Referrals
Learn how to identify appropriate referral options for people in need, understand the types of qualifications and scopes of practice within the mental health field, and confidently connect patients with the right level of support, including counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
(Elective available to students in M.S. in Sports Medicine and Doctor of Chiropractic programs during winter and summer terms.)
Mental Health Communication Skills
Develop trauma-informed communication strategies that foster empathy, encourage openness, and promote collaboration. This course equips health care, education, and social service professionals with skills to respect patient choice and strengthen engagement in care.
(Elective available to students in M.S. in Sports Medicine, M.S. in Clinical Nutrition and Functional Medicine, Doctor of Chiropractic programs during fall and spring terms.)
How to Register
Current students in the College of Graduate Studies may register for available courses during the open registration window each term. Course registration opens in week six of the term. For support with program planning, please contact your student success adviser or email [email protected].
Doctor of Chiropractic students should email the Office of the Registrar at [email protected] to request registration for their selected course.
Students in eligible programs may also request to audit these courses. To audit a course, please contact the Office of the Registrar at [email protected].