A woman presents her expressive drawing during a group art therapy session. The positive and relaxed reactions of the other participants, who are smiling and holding their own artwork, highlight a moment of creative sharing and connection.

Undergraduate Programs

Mental Health & Well-Being

Undergraduate Mental Health & Well-Being Programs At-a-Glance

Credits Overview

120 Credits

toward BA, BS, & BSW

  • 42 Credits General Education
  • 24-51 Credits dedicated to the major requirements (credits vary based on major and delivery model)
  • 12 Credits of support courses (credits vary based on major and delivery model)
  • 6-16 Credits of Experimental or Internship (credits vary based on major and delivery model)
  • 23-42 Credits of free electives (credits vary based on major and delivery model)
  • 18-27 Credits of specialization (credits vary based on specialization).

Students in counseling, art therapy, and expressive arts therapy specializations can pursue integrated dual degree programs with our graduate-level mental health programs.

Start Terms

Flexible Options

to fit your preference

  • Programs begin in the Fall or Spring (on-campus) Summer (online & off-campus partnerships)

BSW accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation status allows students to sit for the licensure exam in the state of Massachusetts and across the country and enter the workforce as qualified social workers.

Special Features & Accreditation

Students in counseling, art therapy, and expressive arts therapy specializations can pursue integrated dual degree programs with our graduate-level mental health programs.

Accreditation

  • BSW accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation status allows students to sit for the licensure exam in the state of Massachusetts and across the country and enter the workforce as qualified social workers.
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A Holistic, Student-Centered Approach to Mental Health

Lesley University’s undergraduate Mental Health & Well-Being programs are defined by a deeply human approach that sees each student as an active participant in their own development. Our bachelor’s program includes our innovative Psychology+ program, which offers ​​specializations in General Psychology, Expressive Arts Therapy, Counseling, Art Therapy, and Holistic Psychology, as well as degrees in social work and human services. Across all of our programs, we train students to be not just technicians, but practitioners who understand that healing begins with self-awareness, personal insight, and empathy. 

Our curriculum, with its foundation in psychology, ​​embraces alternative, non-Western approaches not always covered at the undergraduate level. It emphasizes a range of expressive arts modalities, underscoring the power of creativity in mental health practice, and allowing students to explore how the arts can be used to support emotional and psychological well-being. ​​Guaranteed internships at respected mental health providers in and around Boston through our Scholar Partner Program help students bring their learning to life while also producing professional connections that can lead to employment after graduation.  

​​​Alternative, Applied, and Arts-Based Approaches

All of Lesley’s undergraduate programs, and particularly our Psychology+ program, are anchored by the 3 A’s: alternative, applied, and arts-based approaches.  

  • Alternative - ​​Our holistic, alternative approach draws from cultural and therapeutic traditions beyond the typical Western models. Faculty offer coursework in mindfulness, yoga, and globally-informed healing to challenge students to think differently about what it means to support mental well-being.
  • Applied - Through i​​nternships and fieldwork at hospitals, research institutes, residential, inpatient, and outpatient treatment centers, Lesley students build professional networks, gain crucial practical skills, and become more competitive in the field.
  • Arts-Based - Lesley is one of the few universities offering undergraduate training in both expressive art therapy and art therapy, fields that incorporate creative expression into clinical practice. These programs complement mental health study with specialized, arts-based approaches to healing.  

A Different Approach to Practical Preparation

Lesley’s innovative ​​Scholar Partner Program gets students into real world clinical settings quickly. Guaranteed internships, many offered at the time of acceptance, will have you applying what you learn in the classroom at some of the Boston area’s best hospitals, clinics, and human services organizations. And you’ll start working in these internships as early as your first semester.  

A Lifetime of Support

And that access to professional support doesn’t stop after graduation. We provide our tight-knit alumni network and other professionals working in the field with resources and tools that help them stay at the very top of their professions. ​​Discover all the ways that Lesley supports alumni and working professionals through every stage of their careers and their lives.

​​​BSW to MSW - A Seamless Transition 

Our undergraduate social work program prepares students for a ​​Master's in Social Work (MSW) by offering graduate-level courses beginning in the junior year. That makes Lesley an ideal choice for students considering ​​master’s level study in mental health and well-being.

​​​Learn More About Our Undergraduate Mental Health & Well-Being Degree Offering​​s

Psychology+
Psychology: Off-Campus Community College Partnership
Psychology Online
Social Work
Human Services
Human Services Online

Take the next step

Ready to begin your journey with Lesley? ​Share some basic information by filling out one of the forms below so that we can reach out to you with more information about our programs. Or, email admissions@lesley.edu to connect with a member of our admissions team.

Undergraduate Inquiry Form  |  Graduate Inquiry Form  |  Threshold Inquiry Form