SWIFT Health Programs

Funded by an historic grant to CSU San Marcos, the Scholars in Wellness and Innovation Fast-Track (SWIFT) Health Programs offer an accelerated, three-year bachelor's program for first-time, freshman students interested in preparing for mental and behavioral health professional opportunities.

Learn more about the SWIFT Scholarship

Program Offerings

B.A. in Human Development: Counseling Services

For more information on the Certified Wellness Coach Program, please visit the Human Development website.

B.S. in Public Health

For more information on the B.S. in Public Health, please visit the Public Health website.

Program Components

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Accelerated Pathway
- Students complete an accelerated 3-year degree by taking courses year-round (Fall, Spring and Summer). Course work includes extensive embedded experiential learning.
- SWIFT students can expect to build connection and community through a cohort model. Students will take the majority of their classes with the students they enter into the program with. Engaging in the curriculum together helps students to compound their learning and carry knowledge from course to course as a collective.
Scholarships and Support for Students
- SWIFT students who remain in good standing and meet program requirements will receive annually renewable scholarships (issued in June, following freshman year). The purpose of the scholarship is to help cover cost-of-living expenses incurred during the summer, in lieu of students having full-time jobs while enrolled in a full summer course load.
- Faculty and staff support student progress throughout the program, by providing academic advising, co-curricular programming, and industry-focused seminars and experiences.
Experiential Learning and Career Preparation
- Experiential learning incorporates hands-on activities within courses as well as additional opportunities, such as fieldwork or internships. The goal is for students to gain practical knowledge, skills, and experience to help build a foundation for careers in behavioral or mental health.
Workforce Certification
- The program’s degrees are embedded with coursework and experiences needed to obtain specialized workforce certifications. Students in the Public Health track are positioned to take the CHES exam. Students in the Human Development track are positioned to become a Certified Wellness Coach.
Dual Enrollment
- Through a committed collaboration between high schools and the university, the students in specific regional high schools have the opportunity to take university-level course work while enrolled in high school.
- These specific courses offered to high schools through the SWIFT program will transfer into the accelerated degree programs.
- Please note that participation in dual enrollment does not automatically guarantee acceptance into SWIFT. Incoming CSUSM students can still apply to participate in SWIFT Health Programs without completing dual enrollment courses; dual enrollment students must still apply and be accepted to CSUSM and the SWIFT Health Programs in order to participate in SWIFT.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to cultivate a new generation of mental and behavioral health professionals through accelerated bachelor's programs that emphasize dual enrollment, community collaboration, and real-world experience. We are dedicated to closing the gap of behavioral and mental health professionals and enhancing the mental health and well being of youth and young adults in the San Diego County and beyond. We will equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for immediate impact in the workforce, thereby addressing the urgent need in our community for professionals that are leaders in the mental and behavioral health fields.

Values Statement

Student-Centered Approach: We place our students at the heart of everything we do, providing personalized support, guidance, and resources to help them achieve their academic and career goals.
Community Impact: We are dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of our community by preparing students to provide compassionate, effective, and culturally competent care to diverse populations.
Responsiveness to Workforce Needs: We align our curriculum and training with the current and emerging needs of the mental and behavioral health workforce, ensuring our graduates are ready to address the most pressing issues facing the field today.
Collaboration: We foster a collaborative learning environment where our region’s high schools, higher education, and industry partners work together to create a supportive and enriching educational experience.
Practical Experience: We prioritize hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that prepare our students to meet real-world challenges and make immediate, meaningful contributions to the workforce.

External Scholarships

These external scholarships are managed by an external organization separate from CSUSM and are not affiliated with the CSUSM SWIFT Health Programs Scholarship. These links are provided as a courtesy to students interested in additional scholarships. Be sure to review each page carefully for eligibility criteria and deadlines.