Substance use and mental health problems affect half the population over their lifetimes, yet access to mental health care treatment remains limited, even for those with insurance. The U.S. experiences over 100,000 overdose deaths each year, and behavioral health issues such as alcohol use, opioid use, suicide and gun violence contribute to millions of early deaths every year. The behavioral health policy concentration trains future leaders in the field to take on these challenges directly.
Students in this concentration gain detailed insight into the U.S. behavioral health care system, including prevention, treatment and harm reduction strategies known to save lives. They engage in rigorous coursework and pursue career-building opportunities through internships, fellowships, and in-house research projects, putting them in an immediate position to take their careers to the next level. Graduates of the behavioral health concentration regularly land jobs in nonprofit and for-profit organizations, research organizations, and consulting firms as technical expert leads, advisory services analysts, and research analysts. Some also continue on to pursue a PhD.
