Behavioral Health program expansion to address a critical gap in Arizona’s mental health workforce shortage
- Jude McGee
- Oct 30
- 3 min read
By Tori Smith and Jude McGee
According to a report by the University of Arizona, Arizona only meets 10% of its mental health needs when it comes to the number of qualified professionals in the state. Accessible college opportunities and career paths are essential to close the gap. South Mountain Community College (SMCC) aims to tackle the mental health problem in Arizona through an expansion of its Behavioral Sciences bachelor’s degree program.
Dean of Academic Innovation Dr. Travis May said that this program expansion is more than just important – it’s essential.
“At SMCC, over 1,200 students are already enrolled, and more than 2,400 have expressed interest,” he said. “Without expansion, we risk turning away passionate students eager to contribute to a vital field.”
SMCC has a 100% acceptance rate and no application fees. Students can earn a Bachelor's or Associate's Degree in Behavioral Health, which is key to a career in mental health services.
With support from the Burton Family Foundation, SMCC is making strategic investments to enable continued growth in the program, including additional staffing to guide students through enrollment, course planning, and graduation; expanded course offerings that will allow SMCC to offer additional upper-division courses each year; and staffing to concentrate on recruiting and maintaining clinical partnerships, ensuring high-quality placements, and meeting state licensing requirements.
The expansion’s initial phase began in July of this year, with hiring, course additions, and scholarships that will be rolled out until 2028.
“People need to know that this program doesn’t just educate, it transforms lives,” May said. With 81% of our students representing ethnically diverse backgrounds and 60% being first-generation college attendees, the BHS program is a vehicle for generational change.”
The program provides students with advanced studies in behavioral health, allowing them to treat addiction, mental illness, and more. Students can go into careers such as psychology, psychiatry, mental health counseling, and more.
Director of Behavioral Sciences and Counseling Faculty Chair at SMCC, Dr. Thomas Edward Rojo Aubrey, said that through this program, students learn how and why people behave the way that they do, especially when facing mental health issues such as trauma, addiction, or developmental challenges. He said that the most valuable skill students learn is evidence-based behavior analysis, which they learn through real-life applications such as role playing, case studies, and supervised field experiences.
“Behavioral health is one of Arizona’s greatest public health needs—and this program directly prepares students to help close that gap. With such shortages statewide, every trained professional truly counts,” he said.
May said that with the cost of the four-year program being under $15,000, students see a clear pathway from education to employment, which is critical given the state’s shortage of qualified professionals. He said that this expansion will make a difference by creating “equitable access to an in-demand field, increasing graduation rates, and improving mental health services across Arizona.
“This is more than a degree; it’s a life-changing opportunity for families across Arizona.”
Carmen Guzman, a Behavioral Sciences student at SMCC, enrolled in the program to learn about behavior as a means to help people holistically. She plans to earn a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (NMD) after she graduates.
“The Behavioral Sciences program is versatile,” she said. “It can lead to many career paths in health, counseling, research, and community work. It gives you a well-rounded view of people and society.”
Guzman said that SMCC has given her the tools for her future career, and she looks forward to a long career in hospitality.
“This program has also helped me grow personally. I’ve become more self-aware and better at understanding others, which makes the work feel more meaningful. I have also learned to make sure that I plan self-care. I now understand that to help and care for others, I must first care for myself.”
To learn more about the Behavioral Sciences program, please visit: https://www.maricopa.edu/degrees-certificates/behavioral-science-human-services/behavioral-sciences-9300-bs.
Photos courtesy of South Mountain Community College