Building on its strong undergraduate Psychology program, Bellarmine plans to offer
its first graduate degree in psychology—a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology—beginning in fall 2025.
Creation of the graduate program, which would be the first such standalone program
in Louisville and only the fifth in Kentucky, addresses a critical need in the state,
where the need for mental healthcare providers has increased significantly since the
pandemic.
A 2023 report by Mental Health America (MHA) estimated that although 21.9 percent
of adults in Kentucky were identified as having a mental illness, compared to 20.8
percent nationally, more than half of them did not receive treatment. In addition,
more than three-fourths of young people experiencing depression do not receive behavioral
health services.
“In Kentucky, there are 390 individuals for every one mental health provider,” said
Dr. Felicia Smith, assistant professor of Psychology, who will oversee the new degree
program. “With a growing demand for mental health services, the need for well-prepared
providers cannot be overstated.”
Psychology is a popular undergraduate major at Bellarmine. It has consistently ranked
in the Top 5 majors declared by incoming first-time full-time students for the past
five years. The new master’s degree in Clinical Psychology would allow the university
to retain graduates with bachelor’s degrees in Psychology as well as to recruit other
top undergraduate students regionally.
Bellarmine President Susan M. Donovan noted that creating an opportunity for students
to obtain much needed professional training at Bellarmine is consistent with the university’s
mission of preparing individuals to serve, lead and create positive change. “With
national reports documenting the widespread prevalence of mental health disorders,
it is now more important than ever for Bellarmine University to lead in helping to
build a stronger mental health system,” she said.
Graduates with a Clinical Psychology master’s degree can work as clinical practitioners,
offering assessment, diagnosis and therapy services. They often work in settings such
as community mental health centers, hospitals and schools or in private practice with
individuals, families and groups.
National and state-level data support the importance of training individuals in this
field, Smith said.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that national employment for behavioral
and mental health counselors will grow 18% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster
than the average for all occupations. The demand for behavioral and mental health
counselors in Kentucky will increase over 20% in coming years, according to KET Education
data.
In addition, a 2024 change in Kentucky’s licensing law means that individuals with
a master’s in Clinical Psychology will be able to practice independently three years
sooner than before. The Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology can now license
individuals with a master’s degree following two years of professional supervised
psychological services, rather than five.
“This new regulation will make the master’s degree in psychology a more attractive
degree for those seeking to provide mental health services,” Smith said.
The Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, which is pending approval by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Kentucky Council
on Postsecondary Education, is a two-year, 60-hour program with classes conducted
in person. Graduates will meet the requirements for certification as a Licensed Psychological
Practitioner in the state of Kentucky, and the program corresponds to the American
Psychological Association’s Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology
Master’s programs.
Learn more and request more information about the program at this link.