Behavioral Health Case Manager
General Information
In spring of 2026 the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/Office of Substance Use and Mental Health (OSUMH) approved Salt Lake Community College to provide the required approved training for the new Behavioral Health Case Management Certificate training. The SLCC BHCM does not require the completion of an associate degree and may be completed in one semester. The BHCM certificate training contains one required course (SW2720) and a 60-hour community internship (SW2940) at a community health and human services-based agency under the supervision of a licensed professional. Once the SLCC BHMC training certificate requirements have been met; students will be provided with the required documents to then apply to DHHS for the Behavioral Health Case Management designation.
As of January 2025, DHHS/OSUMH has replaced its separate case manager certificates with one unified credential, the new Behavioral Health Case Management Certificate. This certificate covers Adult, Children, and Homeless Services case managers.
Two Required Courses
The SLCC BHCM training comprises two required courses, which are listed below:
- SW2720 – Case Management and Mental Health
- SW2940 - Social Work-BHT Internship (60-hours in community)
Please Note: Students are required to complete a total of 2 credits of SW2940: 1-credit of weekly in-class seminar, and 1-credit of volunteer work in the community.
Course Sequencing
SLCC BHCM core courses may be completed in one semester and may be completed concurrently. An example of a typical one-semester course sequence is shown below:
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| SW2720 | 3 |
| SW2940 | 2 |
| Total Credits | 5 |
Please Note: SLCC BHCM courses may not be offered every semester. Students should consult with a BHCM program advisor or staff member to construct a plan for completion prior to beginning the SLCC BHCM training certificate.
Process for Obtaining DHHS BHCM Designation in Utah
Upon successful completion of the SLCC BHCM certificate training (listed below), students will work with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to apply for the Behavioral Health Case Management.
- Successful completion of SW2720-Case Management and Mental Health (with a ‘C’ grade or higher)
- Completion of the SW2940 required 60-hour community internship
- Passing the formal DHHS BHCM examination with a score of 70% or higher (completed in SW2720)
Please Note: Completion of the SLCC BHCM training does not guarantee that a student will qualify for the BCMC designation with DHHS, as many factors influence an individual’s eligibility for licensure (e.g., criminal background history, etc.). Additionally, SLCC offers the BHCM training pathway, and does not offer or regulate DHHS designations or licensure. All questions must be directed to DHHS (Phone: 801-538-3939). Students are required to complete a BCI criminal background history prior to beginning the community-based internship (SW2940). Certain criminal charges may preclude students from completing SW2940 and the BHMC certificate training program.
SLCC BHCM Core Course Descriptions
- SW2715 – Case Management and Mental Health
- Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of case management in health and human services. Topics include documentation, assessment, and service planning, with focus on child welfare, mental illness, substance abuse, elderly care, and victims of crime. Students develop skills in interviewing, networking, and effective intervention from intake through discharge.
- SW2940 – Social Work-BHT Internship
- Course offered to Social Work (SW-AS) and Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) students. Includes a lecture component that meets weekly, and a practicum component requiring supervised internship/work in a community agency, or other volunteer experience, as outlined in SW-AS/BHT internship agreement. Course offered as variable credit.