University of Minnesota, Hazelden Betty Ford collaborate on unique Certificate in Healthcare Management for Behavioral Health

Center City, Minn. (June 9, 2021) — The University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies have come together to offer a new higher education opportunity for behavioral health professionals.

Building on their strengths, these two respected Minnesota institutions have created the Certificate in Healthcare Management for Behavioral Health, a 10-month program to address the growing need for leaders in behavioral health. It's one of the only programs of its kind in the U.S. and is designed exclusively for professionals with two or more years of experience working in the field. It will begin in January 2022.

Depression, general anxiety and deaths due to alcohol and other drugs have been rising in the U.S., with an increase in all areas during the pandemic. Behavioral health leadership is, and will continue to be, essential to best serve people in crisis and with ongoing needs.

"The School of Public Health is extremely pleased that we can collaborate with the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School to offer this certificate," said Ryan Armbruster, senior fellow in the School of Public Health and director of the certificate program. "Increasing the opportunity for all people to be healthy is the focus of our school and we can now help contribute to their behavioral and mental health in a new and meaningful way."

The Certificate in Healthcare Management for Behavioral Health will provide skills in human resources and managing a practice, a deeper understanding of the larger U.S. healthcare system and its finances and leadership training. Instructors from the School of Public Health and Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School who are leaders in the fields of research, education and behavioral health will teach classes.

"Behavioral health is an expanding area of health care, driven by escalating needs in our communities and a growing recognition that people deserve the same kind of high-quality care for substance use and mental health conditions as they get for other illnesses," said Valerie Slaymaker, Ph.D., chief academic officer and provost of the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies. "We are grateful to collaborate with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health to develop leaders for this vital sector in the health care ecosystem."

Details of the Certificate in Healthcare Management for Behavioral Health include:

• Exclusive program with 20-30 students
• Fully online, 10-month program with five courses and 12 credits
• The University of Minnesota is the certificate-granting institution
• Easy application process with only a bachelor's degree required and no GRE, testing, or interviews needed for admission
• 10 of the 12 graduate-level credits can be applied to the Master's Degree in Health Administration (MHA) at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, a program ranked No. 2 in the country

Learn more about the Certificate in Healthcare Management for Behavioral Health.

About the University of Minnesota School of Public Health

The U of M School of Public Health improves the health and wellbeing of populations and communities around the world by bringing innovative research, learning, and concrete actions to today's biggest health challenges. We prepare some of the most influential leaders in the field, and partner with health departments, communities, and policymakers to advance health equity for all.