The College of Education’s new Bachelor of Arts major in Counseling and Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) advances training and introduces students to the world of counseling and the helping professions.

Program Overview

Counseling and Behavioral Health Services is an innovative, non-licensure major that is intended to leverage College of Education faculty expertise in counseling and human behavior to prepare students for entry level helping positions in nonprofit agencies, government agencies, community centers, clinics, and service navigation programs.

Students will complete a 39-semester-hour curriculum in the major, pairing a significant emphasis in counseling skills with courses in applied counseling, psychology, ethics, career development, and introductions to and theoretical foundations of human services fields.

Program Requirements

For a complete list of courses offered visit:

Fast Facts

  • Introduces students to the world of counseling and the helping professions
  • Prepares undergraduate students for entry level, non-licensure positions in the behavioral health workforce
  • Provides a strong foundation that can be applied toward counseling/mental health related graduate studies

“A distinctive aspect of this program is that it will offer a number of clinical and human service oriented specialties that will add unique value for the students.”  

Noel Estrada-Hernández, professor of Rehabilitation Counseling, DEO of the Department of Counselor Education, and co-developer of the CBHS program. 

Faculty

CBHS is comprised of faculty from the College of Education’s Counseling Psychology, School Psychology, and Counseling Education and Supervision programs. To see associated faculty, please: Visit Faculty Listing.

Admissions and Application

Admission Requirements

First-year undergraduate applicants to the Bachelor of Arts major in Counseling and Behavioral Health Services must meet the admission requirements of the College of Education (the same as those required for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences).  

Transfer undergraduate applicants to the Bachelor of Arts major in Counseling and Behavioral Health Services must meet the transfer admission requirements of the College of Education (same as the transfer admission requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences). 

Current University of Iowa undergraduate students may complete the Change of College Application to change or add the Counseling and Behavioral Health Services major. See the steps below: 

  1. Log into MyUI.
  2. Navigate to the Advising section.
  3. Select “Change of College Application.” 
  4. Select the college/program you are applying to from the drop-down menu.
  5. Select the session you would like the change to become effective.
  6. Provide answers to the supplemental questions.
  7. Submit the application. 

Current undergraduate students who are ineligible to register for courses in their current college or who have been dismissed from anoth

 

For information about the admission and application process, please contact [email protected].

Apply Now

Apply to the University of Iowa.

News

Woman stands in front of crew boats with an Iowa Rowing shirt on

Rower glides into new undergraduate counseling major

Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Student-athlete Brynn Storhoff says she is excited to be pursuing the new Counseling and Behavioral Health Services undergraduate major. The Decorah, Iowa native is passionate about improving the access and quality of mental health services for everyone in her home state.
students attending an undergraduate psychology course

In the news: DI documents success of new counseling and behavioral health services program

The Daily Iowan discusses the college's new Counseling and Behavioral Health Services degree, which is designed for undergraduate students who want to develop a foundation in helping processes and human behavior.
students attending an undergraduate psychology course

College of Education launches new undergraduate counseling major

Thursday, April 25, 2024
New Counseling and Behavioral Health Services degree designed for undergraduate students who want to develop a foundation in helping processes and human behavior.

Contact Us

Julie Koch, Program Coordinator
319-467-0490
[email protected]

Misty Brents, Sr. Academic Advisor
[email protected]