High School Programs:
Earning a high school diploma or passing the General Educational Development Test (GED) is a prerequisite for almost all jobs, training programs, and degrees in behavioral health.
Some jobs in behavioral health require only a high school diploma or GED. Others require additional training. Some of the additional training is available to current high school students.
High schools in Ohio offer programs that can provide students with valuable opportunities to advance their education and explore careers in the behavioral health field. These programs include earning industry-recognized credentials (IRCs), College Credit Plus (CCP), and Career-Technical Assurance Guides (CTAG) that can also count towards graduation. Students can earn college credit while still in high school, reducing future college costs and accelerating degree completion. Earning credentials in areas like
Starting Early and Getting Ahead
mental health support or addiction services equips students with practical skills that are in high demand across Ohio’s growing behavioral health workforce. Additionally, CTAG ensures that students’ technical coursework can seamlessly transfer to Ohio’s public colleges, creating a clear, affordable pathway to further education and career success in this critical field.
The GED is an option for anyone who did not finish a traditional high school program. For more information, please visit the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s website. Local GED preparation programs may be available to you.
Programs for High School Students
Three programs exist in which existing high school students can earn credits toward
a college degree or career certification.
Industry-Recognized Credentials:
Earning one or more Industry-Recognized Credentials during high school can help students both qualify for high school graduation and gain credentials that may put them ahead in their career.
According to the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce:
“Students who earn industry-recognized credentials are poised to directly enter the workplace or go on to two-year or four-year colleges. Industry-recognized credentials are an innovative approach to truly recognize and account for a student’s hard work in becoming career ready. Possessing an industry-recognized credential not only helps a student prove competency and capability in a given field, but also demonstrates to the community and employers that the student is knowledgeable, properly trained and equipped to carry out his or her duties. For many students, earning an industry-recognized credential can be an important step toward qualifying for high school graduation.”
There are many different Industry-Recognized Credentials that a high school student can earn through school that are specific to behavioral health or could lead to a path in behavioral health. They include, but are not limited to:
For more information, click here. For a complete list of industry-recognized credentials, click here.
Ask your school’s guidance counselor whether your district participates in the Industry-Recognized Credentials program.
College Credit Plus (CCP)
College Credit Plus is a statewide initiative that allows Ohio high school students to earn college credit by taking courses at participating colleges and universities at no cost to families.
Why? Students can begin prerequisite coursework (e.g., anatomy, biology, English) while still in high school, giving them a head start on degrees in behavioral health or other fields.
Who? Most public colleges and universities in Ohio participate in the program. You can participate without your high school having to sign up for the program.
Cost: FREE for all public school students who wish to attend a public Ohio university or college!
For more information, visit the Ohio Department of Education’s website.
Career-Technical Assurance Guides (CTAGs)
Career-Technical Assurance Guides (CTAGs) award college credit for career-technical coursework taken in high school or at a career-technical institution.
Courses can be taken in high school or at an Ohio Technical Center.
Students must complete the course and earn a qualifying score on the end-of-course exam.
Students must enroll in a related higher education program within three years of finishing their CTAG courses.
Other restrictions apply. See a complete explanation here.
The Credit Transfer Tool offers a comprehensive listing of approved CTAG programs and courses that can be transferred to Ohio public institutions.
Next Steps
For information about next steps in education after high school, please visit the Next Steps page.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. If you notice any errors or outdated information, please contact accounts@mhaadvocacy.org so we can make the necessary corrections.