Child Behavioral Health (BA/BS)

The child behavioral health major provides students with knowledge and skills to improve the behavioral health and wellness of youth. Students will learn how to equitably deliver evidence-based interventions to promote wellness and prevent mental health problems from developing or worsening in children and adolescents. Training elements typically present in graduate degree programs have been brought into this innovative undergraduate major. Students will receive training in applied skills such as relaxation, problem-solving, and flexible thinking; gain 700 hours of applied practice in community settings supervised by clinical faculty; and learn how to effectively work as part of a behavioral health team.

The major is designed as a 2 + 2 program with the first two years focused on the completion of core education requirements, bachelor's degree requirements, and pre-major core curriculum. The latter two years involve specialized coursework and applied practical experiences completed at the Ballmer Institute at the University of Oregon Portland.

Students interested in pursuing the child behavioral health major should declare the pre-major in child behavioral health at time of admission to the university or, if not admitted to the pre-major (or the pre-major is not yet available), students can declare a professional objective of child behavioral health.

Admission to the CBH major occurs once per year in the spring term. Students who complete the prerequisite requirements; earn a 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses; maintain a 3.0 GPA overall; and have documented background check clearance are eligible for admission. Additional admission requirements may be added due to capacity constraints. Admission to the program is competitive and limited to 200 students annually.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of health equity and promotion in children and adolescents across identities, abilities, and family backgrounds/structures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of risk and protective factors that affect the behavioral health of children and adolescents, with an emphasis on persistently underserved communities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of prevention and intervention theory, and the ability to identify evidence-based practices and programs, particularly addressing the needs of historically underserved populations.
• Demonstrate foundational intervention skills with children, adolescents, and families from all communities, including culturally responsive and affirming delivery of services and evidence-based programs.
• Demonstrate professionalism across service settings, including understanding of professional ethics, and appropriate consultation with practitioners.

Child Behavioral Health Major Requirements

Students in the child behavioral health major must complete the pre-major core curriculum and the program requirements (listed below).

Pre-major Requirements

 Major Requirements

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

• Bachelor of Arts in Child Behavioral Health
• Bachelor of Science in Child Behavioral Health

Bachelor of Arts in Child Behavioral Health

Bachelor of Science in Child Behavioral Health