Mental and Social Health Services: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Mental and Social Health Services is a multidisciplinary field dedicated to advancing well-being through comprehensive support systems that address psychological, emotional, and societal factors influencing individual and community health. This program prepares learners to understand, analyze, and implement strategies that promote mental wellness and strengthen social resilience across diverse populations.
- Psychosocial Interventions: Evidence-based practices designed to improve mental health outcomes by addressing the interplay between psychological processes and social environments.
- Community Mental Health Systems: Study of organizational structures, policies, and delivery models that provide accessible mental health services at the community level.
- Crisis Response and Trauma Support: Training in identifying, managing, and supporting individuals experiencing acute psychological distress or trauma-related conditions.
- Social Determinants of Health: Exploration of how socioeconomic status, education, housing, and access to resources shape mental and emotional well-being.
- Case Management and Advocacy: Development of skills to coordinate care, navigate service systems, and advocate for equitable access to mental and social health resources.
- Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies: Focus on identifying risk factors early and implementing programs that reduce the incidence of mental health challenges before they escalate.
Mental and Social Health Services Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Mental and Social Health Services Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Mental and Social Health Services degrees, including . These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements.
Career salary data is not available for this program.
Top Universities for Mental and Social Health Services by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Mental and Social Health Services programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Mental and Social Health Services is found at Liberty University (714 graduates), Grand Canyon University (GCU) (335 graduates), Old Dominion University (ODU) (144 graduates), J Sargeant Reynolds Community College (138 graduates), and Palm Beach State College (PBSC) (114 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,523 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
714 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
335 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Bachelor's
|
144 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
138 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | reynolds.edu |
| Palm Beach State College (PBSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
114 | Lake Worth, Florida | Public | palmbeachstate.edu |
| Ashford University (UAGC) |
Bachelor's
|
93 | San Diego, California | Private | uagc.edu |
| Beaufort County Community College (BCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
80 | Washington, North Carolina | Public | beaufortccc.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
78 | Weyers Cave, Virginia | Public | brcc.edu |
| Lackawanna College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
74 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | lackawanna.edu |
| Forsyth Technical Community College (Forsyth Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
71 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Public | forsythtech.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Master's
|
70 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
66 | Asheville, North Carolina | Public | abtech.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMB) |
Master's
|
61 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umaryland.edu |
| Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
52 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fsw.edu |
| Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
47 | Roanoke, Virginia | Public | virginiawestern.edu |
| Isothermal Community College (ICC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
46 | Spindale, North Carolina | Public | isothermal.edu |
| Marian University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
44 | Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin | Private | marianuniversity.edu |
| Niagara University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
42 | Niagara University, New York | Private | niagara.edu |
| Carteret Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | Morehead City, North Carolina | Public | carteret.edu |
| Walden University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
40 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| Broward College (BC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
| Pamlico Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | Grantsboro, North Carolina | Public | pamlicocc.edu |
| Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Alberta, Virginia | Public | southside.edu |
| Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
36 | Arnold, Maryland | Public | aacc.edu |
| Brightpoint Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
32 | Chester, Virginia | Public | brightpoint.edu |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Hampton, Virginia | Public | vpcc.edu |
| Tidewater Community College (TCC) |
Associate's
|
30 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | tcc.edu |
| Gaston College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Dallas, North Carolina | Public | gaston.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
25 | Cedar Bluff, Virginia | Public | sw.edu |
| New River Community College (NRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Dublin, Virginia | Public | nr.edu |
| Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Melbourne, Florida | Public | easternflorida.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Flat Rock, North Carolina | Public | blueridge.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Other Award
|
23 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Southwestern Community College (SWCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Sylva, North Carolina | Public | southwesterncc.edu |
| Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Fairfield, Maine | Public | kvcc.me.edu |
| College of Southern Maryland (CSM) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | La Plata, Maryland | Public | csmd.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Sampson Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Clinton, North Carolina | Public | sampsoncc.edu |
| Pueblo Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Pueblo, Colorado | Public | pueblocc.edu |
| Indian River State College (IRSC) |
Associate's
|
19 | Fort Pierce, Florida | Public | irsc.edu |
| Mitchell Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Statesville, North Carolina | Public | mitchellcc.edu |
| Richmond Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Hamlet, North Carolina | Public | richmondcc.edu |
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| Nash Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Rocky Mount, North Carolina | Public | nashcc.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Other Award
|
17 | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| Germanna Community College (GCC) |
Other Award
|
17 | Locust Grove, Virginia | Public | germanna.edu |
| University of California (UCSF) |
Post-Master's
|
16 | San Francisco, California | Public | ucsf.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Other Award
|
16 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| NHTI-Concord's Community College (NHTI) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Concord, New Hampshire | Public | nhti.edu |
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
|
15 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
| Halifax Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Weldon, North Carolina | Public | halifaxcc.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Postbac Cert.
|
14 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Stetson University |
Master's
|
13 | DeLand, Florida | Private | stetson.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Morganton, North Carolina | Public | wpcc.edu |
| Seattle Central College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
11 | Seattle, Washington | Public | seattlecentral.edu |
| Mayland Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Spruce Pine, North Carolina | Public | mayland.edu |
| Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Abingdon, Virginia | Public | vhcc.edu |
| River Valley Community College (RVCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Claremont, New Hampshire | Public | rivervalley.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Post-Master's
|
9 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
| Fort Valley State University (FVSU) |
Master's
|
8 | Fort Valley, Georgia | Public | fvsu.edu |
| Northern Kentucky University (NKU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Public | nku.edu |
| Assumption University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
8 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | assumption.edu |
| Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Hickory, North Carolina | Public | cvcc.edu |
| Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Jamestown, North Carolina | Public | gtcc.edu |
| Mercer University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Master's
|
7 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Virginia Union University (VUU) |
Master's
|
7 | Richmond, Virginia | Private | vuu.edu |
| Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) |
Associate's
|
6 | New Port Richey, Florida | Public | phsc.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Thomas College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Waterville, Maine | Private | thomas.edu |
| Chesapeake College |
Associate's
|
6 | Wye Mills, Maryland | Public | chesapeake.edu |
| Edgecombe Community College (ECC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Tarboro, North Carolina | Public | edgecombe.edu |
| Randolph Community College (RCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Asheboro, North Carolina | Public | randolph.edu |
| Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | cptc.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Lenoir Community College (LCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Kinston, North Carolina | Public | lenoircc.edu |
| Piedmont Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Roxboro, North Carolina | Public | piedmontcc.edu |
| Wayne Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Goldsboro, North Carolina | Public | waynecc.edu |
| Grays Harbor College (GHC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Aberdeen, Washington | Public | ghc.edu |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) |
Associate's
|
5 | Kirkland, Washington | Public | lwtech.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAF) |
Associate's
|
4 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Public | uaf.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Berkshire Community College (BCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Pittsfield, Massachusetts | Public | berkshirecc.edu |
| Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Scottsbluff, Nebraska | Public | wncc.edu |
| College of the Albemarle (COA) |
Associate's
|
4 | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | Public | albemarle.edu |
| Montgomery Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
4 | Troy, North Carolina | Public | montgomery.edu |
| Wytheville Community College (WCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Wytheville, Virginia | Public | wcc.vccs.edu |
| White Mountains Community College (WMCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Berlin, New Hampshire | Public | wmcc.edu |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) |
Associate's
|
3 | Hudson, North Carolina | Public | cccti.edu |
| Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Henderson, North Carolina | Public | vgcc.edu |
| Carolina University (CU) |
Master's
|
3 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | carolinau.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Mental and Social Health Services programs
Which universities have the largest Mental and Social Health Services programs?
Currently 117 accredited institutions offer Mental and Social Health Services degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Liberty University (714 graduates), Grand Canyon University (GCU) (335 graduates), and Old Dominion University (ODU) (144 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Mental and Social Health Services growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 5,928 in 2010 to a peak of 3,816 in 2020, before declining slightly to 3,545 in 2023-24. This represents a 40% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
Related Health Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Health field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Health Professions Education and Humanities
Any instructional program in health professions education, ethics, and humanities not listed above.
Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Instructional content for this group of programs is defined in codes 51.3300 - 51.3399.
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of acupuncture, a Chinese system of health care and healing based on the...
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbology
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of Chinese herbal medicine, a system based on the use of nutrition, natural...
Naturopathic Medicine
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of naturopathic medicine, an holistic therapeutic approach combining medical knowledge with noninvasive natural,...
Ayurveda
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of Ayurveda, a holistic health care system based on the use of dietary,...