On July 1, the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) underwent some changes as a part of the campus wide academic realignment plan.
One of the most prominent changes is the addition of a new school to MCHHS.
The School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences will group together programs within psychology, social work and counseling.
The counseling department will move over from the College of Education (COE).
A range of options
Within the new school, there will be many degree options available for students, from a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) to Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Science in Counseling to Doctor of Psychology (PsyD).
“While the programs have different philosophies, training models and accrediting agencies, they all share a common educational objective,” said Dr. Paul Deal, associate professor of psychology and director for the School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences.
In the new school, psychology will continue to offer non-clinical options at the undergraduate and graduate levels for those interested in behavioral sciences.
The difference for faculty and students
This is a large change for all within MCHHS.
Faculty will see opportunities for increased collaboration related to teaching and research concerning the interdisciplinary approach to mental health and behavioral science. This transition provides a more coordinated approach to discussing development of the next health care workforce.
Students can utilize this space for a central academic unit in one college to prepare the next workforce for the world of mental and behavioral health. With these new resources, they can take advantage of clearer and more connected academic pathways.
Leaders of the new school
As the creation of the School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences marks a new chapter in MCHHS history, it’s imperative to have strong faculty at the forefront.
Deal will serve as school director and the program directors will be:
Psychology
- Dana Paliliunas – PsyD.
- Michael Clayton – Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT).
- Thomas Kane – MS Psychology: Industrial-Organizational Option (MS-IO).
- Wayne Mitchell – MS Psychology: Experimental Psychology Option (MS-EXP).
Counseling
- Karrie Swan – Master of Mental Health (MS-Mental Health).
Social Work
- Natalie Curry – BSW coordinator.
- Regina Russell – BSW field coordinator.
- Amanda Keys – MSW coordinator.
- Tiffany Havlin – MSW field coordinator.