Online MS in Mental Health and Wellness: Family Dynamics Emphasis
Online MS in Mental Health and Wellness: Family Dynamics Emphasis
journey today.
The family is an interactive, ever-evolving system comprised of complex and dynamic relationships, roles and boundaries. The Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Family Dynamics degree at Grand Canyon University is an intensive survey of the family, its structures and its life cycle. By earning a mental health and wellness degree, you can blend your passion with a purpose for helping others. Learn how to help families identify, understand and resolve conflicts, work toward functional relationships and embrace healthy, balanced family roles.
This degree is offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences as an online program. Using GCU’s interactive digital learning platform, online students benefit from the diverse experiences and perspectives of their peers and experienced instructors.
As a student, you will closely examine multiple aspects of human nature, including behavioral, mental, spiritual, interpersonal and cognitive aspects. This MS in Mental Health and Wellness degree focuses on the roles in family dynamics, including the practical applications of theories to promote health and wellness within the family system.
Students are encouraged to expand upon their Christian worldview and develop a strong sense of servant leadership.
Courses in this mental health and wellness degree program can be completed online to allow you to pursue your education on a more flexible schedule.
GCU students are taught to be accomplished communicators who understand how to convey key information to a range of stakeholders. When you earn your degree, you will have a sharp understanding of core mental health and wellness concepts such as professional ethics and effective advocacy practices. There is an emphasis on both the roles in family dynamics and the role of faith and spirituality as they are applied to the professional field.
The MS in Mental Health and Wellness – family dynamics emphasis includes special focus on the following topics:
Ethics and cultural diversity
Family dynamics
Influences of parenting
Cognitive, moral and psychosocial development theories
The integration of mental health, wellness and healthcare
Develop Valuable Skills Needed for Roles in Family Dynamics
As you work through the courses, you will use a systematic lens to explore relationships, interactional patterns and communication among family members. Other core competencies include the following:
In addition, students will complete the Mental Health and Wellness Capstone at the end of the program. This course provides a thorough examination of the mental health and wellness fields.
This Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness degree is geared toward individuals who are currently working in or plan to work in an administrative position, in a leadership role, or in a mental health specialist position. This family dynamics online emphasis does not lead to counseling or psychology licensure.
An in-depth knowledge of family dynamics and mental health can serve you well as you pursue a career in the mental health field. Graduates may choose to pursue work in the following settings:
Social service agencies
Outpatient or inpatient care facilities
Schools and universities
Mental health facilities
Military settings, including VA facilities
Churches and religious institutions
Community health agencies
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are interested in the MS in Mental Health and Wellness, family dynamics focus, read our answers to these commonly asked questions.
Studies show that the mental health of children is connected, in many ways, to the mental health of their parents and caregivers.1 Parents with poor mental health often lack the emotional, social and developmental skills needed to raise mentally healthy children. As a mental health and wellness professional, you will provide support to parents and caregivers by connecting them with information, resources and public health programs so they can learn to better care for themselves and their dependents.
A Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness degree with a family dynamics emphasis builds upon your psychology or social work skills and allows you to pursue careers helping individuals, children and families overcome struggles due to poor mental health and lack of resources. This degree is designed for non-licensed positions, such as behavioral or mental health specialists, social or community service managers or case managers.
Mental health issues continue to grow among Americans. According to Mental Health America, over 1 in 10 youth in the U.S. are experiencing depression that is severely impairing their ability to function at school or work, at home, with family or in their social life.2 If you feel called to work in the mental health field, particularly in a support role for families who are impacted by mental health issues, then you should consider earning your mental health and wellness family dynamics online degree.
Explore Emphasis Options
Discover additional emphases that can help you find the right path for your academic and career aspirations.
Start Your Journey Today
If you decide that an MS in Mental Health and Wellness with a family dynamics emphasis program could be the right choice for you, apply for enrollment at GCU. Complete the form on this page to get started.
1 Wolicki, S.B., Bitsko, R.H., Cree, R.A. et al. (2021, April 19). Mental Health of Parents and Primary Caregivers by Sex and Associated Child Health Indicators. Retrieved on April 27, 2023.
2 The State of Mental Health in America. Mental Health America. Retrieved on April 27, 2023.