Case Management Certificate

Are you looking for a job where you can use your Bachelor’s degree to be part of a team working at a Community Mental Health Center? Would you like to use your ingenuity, creativity, and problem solving skills to help other people? Are you interested in working with people who have significant mental health issues in the context of promoting hope, recovery, empowerment, and wellness?

If you have answered these questions with an enthusiastic “Yes” then you may want to check out Fort Hays State University’s Certificate Program in Case Management.

Case Management is one of the fastest growing professions in the mental health field in Kansas. There are 29 mental Health Centers in Kansas, all of whom employ Case Managers. There are Case Managers working in each of the 105 counties in Kansas.

This certificate has been developed through the collaborative efforts of Fort Hays State University’s Psychology Department and High Plains Mental Health Center.

Case Managers are integral members of the Treatment Team at Mental Health Centers. They work with individuals (adults and children) who have significant mental health issues, assisting them in living as independently as possible in their communities. Case Managers help people Grow, Recover, Live Well, and Be Well.

The Case Management certificate is open to all majors, with the following majors especially encouraged to consider this certificate: Psychology, Sociology, and General Studies (with a Human Services emphasis).

In order to qualify for the certificate, students must complete the following courses:

*PSY 350CC, CC1, CC2, CC3 are available. Section number will depend upon the location you are taking the class (i.e. at FHSU, or as an ITV class).
** A limited number of students will be accepted for the practicum. Therefore you are not guaranteed acceptance in this class.

Having this certificate will better prepare you for pursuing a position as a Case Manager with a Community Mental Health Center.

Quotes from Case Managers:

Melissa Reif, Case Manager III “I graduated from FHSU in 1999 with a B.S. in Psychology and wasn’t ready to go on to graduate school. I wasn’t aware of Case Management positions until the Rooks County position became available and I decided to apply for it. Since then, I’ve learned so much about people and their struggles with mental illness. Case Management has provided me a great opportunity to work in a psychology-related field without having to go on to graduate school.”

Lacy Albrecht, Case Manager (BS in Psychology from FHSU) – “FHSU’s Case Management in a Mental Health Setting Class helped me to decide what kind of job I wanted to pursue when I graduated. The class gave me an understanding of what exactly a Case Manager does. I started my job knowing how to do a lot of the functions of a Case Manager and some of the ethical issues I would face. I have worked as a Case Manager for almost a year and absolutely love it!”

Traci Wolters, Case Manger III (Traci has worked as a Case Manager for 8 years) “Case Management is exciting because of the clients we work with. They are appreciative of the help that they receive and it is rewarding to see that our efforts have helped them make positive changes in their lives.”

Julie Nuttle Case Manager, LBSW “Case Management is very rewarding because we get to see the client’s growth on a daily basis.”

Terri Braun, Case Manager, BS in Psychology FHSU (Terri has been a CM for 9 years) “This profession is very fulfilling as you get to share the client’s successes and joys as well as their sorrows”.

Ross Roberts Case Manager II “There is probably no other job that can be as rewarding and as challenging as Case Management can be. I love working with people and it is thrilling to see them improve their lives and know that you have played a small part in that. In can also be frustrating when despite your best efforts people continue to struggle.”

Gloria Pfannenstiel, BA, M.L.S. “Case Management has been one of the most rewarding jobs I have had since graduating from FHSU. I enjoy working with both adults and children and find that my clients teach me a great deal as well. Case Management has taught me patience and perseverance- both qualities are important in this job.”