Interesting Courses You Might Take When Earning Your PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership

Do you want to improve the delivery of behavioral and mental health care? By earning a PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership, you can gain the leadership, management, advocacy, and financial skills needed to both improve individuals’ health and promote accessible care.

About the Program

At Walden University, the online PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership program requires 56 quarter credits—46 in coursework and 10 for your capstone project. The program can be completed in as few as 18 months.¹

The program features engaging coursework, interactive case studies, in-depth research, and two immersive academic residencies—focused on capstone prep and leadership development—that prepare you to help shape the rapidly changing integrated healthcare landscape.

Here are a few interesting courses you might take when earning your degree.

1. Management in Behavioral Health Settings – Develop essential management and leadership skills for directing behavioral health organizations and teams. In this foundational course, you'll learn about organizational behavior, financial management, human resources, and strategic planning specific to behavioral health settings.

   Gain practical knowledge in managing diverse teams, creating sustainable behavioral health programs, and navigating the unique challenges of healthcare administration. Through real-world case studies and practical applications, you'll build the competencies needed to lead effective behavioral health services while maintaining fiscal responsibility and operational excellence.

2. Law and Ethics in Healthcare – Explore the economic, financial, ethical, and political factors that influence behavioral healthcare delivery and make healthcare reform such a challenging task. This course examines behavioral healthcare policy, advocacy, laws, mandates, and ethical obligations essential for behavioral health leaders. You'll analyze the legal frameworks governing mental health services, understand compliance requirements, and explore the ethical dilemmas facing healthcare administrators.

   Topics discussed include healthcare regulations, patient rights, informed consent, confidentiality, risk management, and the intersection of law and ethics in clinical and administrative decision-making. Gain the knowledge necessary to navigate the complex legal and ethical landscape of behavioral healthcare while ensuring quality care and organizational integrity.

3. Leadership and Leader Development – Gain extensive knowledge on leadership theories and learn how to bring about positive change and work through challenges that accompany resistance to change. Students examine the role of leadership in achievement of organization, group, and team goals while exploring various leadership theories and definitions, major theoretical leadership models, and contextual and situational factors related to leadership and change.

   Hone your leadership skills by exploring effective leadership qualities, including facilitating positive change, leading others in efforts to effect similar change, and working through challenges when met with resistance. Through practical assignments and discussions, you'll develop the leadership capabilities essential for guiding behavioral health organizations through transformation and growth.

4. Behavioral Health Social Entrepreneurship and Advocacy – Learn how sustainable development and sustainability principles are used to drive innovation, collaboration, and transformation in behavioral health settings. This course explores creating sustainable behavioral health business models through investment strategies, market insight, and operational excellence.

   You'll discover how to advocate for behavioral health access and equity while developing entrepreneurial approaches to addressing healthcare gaps. Topics include social innovation, community partnerships, funding strategies, and building sustainable programs that improve health outcomes for underserved populations. Develop the skills to be both an effective advocate and an innovative leader in behavioral health.

Earning a PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership

Walden University’s online PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership program provides students with cross-disciplinary knowledge, business and management skills, and practical experience to help shape the rapidly changing integrated healthcare landscape.

At Walden University, it’s possible to earn your doctorate in behavioral health leadership online while balancing priorities because you can complete coursework when and where it works best for you. The program offers flexible scheduling designed for working professionals, allowing you to continue working while pursuing your degree.

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering a PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership degree program online. Earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.

¹This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt and reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable.

Note on Licensure:
The PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.