Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Mental health program manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a mental health program manager. Mental health program managers usually study psychology, social work, or nursing. 51% of mental health program managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 38% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 414 real mental health program manager resumes to see exactly what mental health program manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for mental health program managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online mental health program manager courses to help get the education required to be a mental health program manager.
There are certain mental health program manager certifications that you should consider. These mental health program manager certifications include Mental Health and National Certified Counselor (NCC).
What education do you need to become a mental health program manager?
What degree do you need to be a mental health program manager?
- Bachelor's, 51%
- Master's, 38%
- Associate, 7%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a mental health program manager?
- Psychology, 22%
- Social Work, 17%
- Nursing, 7%
- Business, 7%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for mental health program managers
| Mental health program manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 9.68% |
| San Diego State University | 8.06% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 6.45% |
| Tulane University | 6.45% |
| University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point | 6.45% |
Best majors for mental health program managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 22.4% |
| 2 | Social Work | 17.3% |
| 3 | Nursing | 7.1% |
| 4 | Business | 6.8% |
| 5 | Human Services | 6.4% |
Best colleges for mental health program managers
The best colleges for mental health program managers are Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.
A mental health program manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for mental health program managers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become mental health program managers.
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
3. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
8. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Enrollment
31,321
10. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
20 best online courses for mental health program managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders
This Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders course is designed to have you think critically about the health effects of cannabis (i.e., marijuana) in the context of several mental health and neurocognitive disorders. You'll be able to identify key features of several anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD), major depression, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's...
2. The Critical Role of IT Support Staff in Healthcare
This is a very exciting time to be exploring a career in Health IT Support! In this introductory course, you’ll learn about various roles in IT support that are common in healthcare. IT support staff play critical roles in many different healthcare venues. In addition to helping clinics, hospitals, and emergency rooms, you may end up providing support in a skilled nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, virtual care setting, or even a patient’s home! On any given day, you may interact...
3. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
4. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
5. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff
Now that you've been introduced to the world of Health IT and the important role played by electronic health records (EHRs), we'll focus on other technologies that play a role in maintaining ongoing operations in healthcare. Telemedicine, patient portals, barcode scanners, printers, and medical devices are just some of the technologies that impact providers and patients. As an IT support specialist, you’ll be asked to troubleshoot issues with a wide variety of tools. You'll see a scenario with...
6. Health Informatics
This Specialization is intended for health professionals, administrators, health IT staff, vendors, startups, and patients who need or want to participate in the health IT/informatics process. Throughout the five courses of this Specialization, you will learn about the social and technical context of health informatics problems, how to successfully implement health informatics interventions, how to design a health informatics solution for decision support, and how to answer a health informatics...
7. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
8. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide
How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...
9. Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners
In the U.S., social policy accounts for two-thirds of government spending. Knowing how policies are constructed, what values underlie them, and how they succeed or fail makes everyone more effective at work or in their civic role. This specialization includes an HONORS track in which learners will complete a professional social policy analysis.\n\nTeachers, health care workers, police, and social workers interact with policy daily, but all of us should care about the impact and effectiveness of...
10. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
11. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course
Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...
12. Cognitive Psychology for Positive Mental Health and Wellness
Optimise your mental health and reduce stress by mastering the key concepts of Cognitive Behavioural Psychology (CBP)...
13. Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain
10 Alternatives to Medication to Improve Mental Health - Research backed treatments for Depression and Anxiety...
14. Mental Health First Aid Skills -
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...
15. Mindfulness for Mental Health, Personal Growth & Inner Peace
The essential guide to cultivating positive mental health, practicing mindfulness, and advancing your personal growth...
16. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
17. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
18. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
19. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach
Health Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Health Coaching Specialists in Holistic Wellness Health Coaching...
20. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
Top 10 most affordable universities for mental health program managers
The most affordable schools for mental health program managers are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for mental health program managers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for mental health program managers.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for mental health program managers
The hardest universities for mental health program managers to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for mental health program managers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for mental health program managers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for mental health program managers
The easiest schools for mental health program managers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, d'youville college, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mental health program manager without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for mental health program managers.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
7. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
10. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
Average mental health program manager salary by education level
| Mental health program manager education level | Mental health program manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $89,724 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $79,144 |
| Doctorate Degree | $105,505 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $71,545 |
Mental health program manager education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
Search for mental health program manager jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025