Proposed new degree can give students a running start in educational psychology
Paul Gabrielsen
To help fill the ranks of mental health professionals in Utah and beyond, the University of Utah’s College of Education is proposing a new bachelor’s degree program in educational psychology. The college hopes to have the degree approved by the Utah System of Higher Education to begin enrollment in 2021. The coursework and work-based learning experiences have been planned to lead directly to competitive, high-demand employment opportunities, say program directors Keith C. Radley III and A.J. Metz. Students can expect to earn a credential as a registered behavior technician while in the program and apply to be a board-certified assistant behavior analyst upon graduation. Graduate training, including in programs offered through the College of Education, opens additional career paths.
The proposed new undergraduate degree, the directors say, will meet the needs of students, employers and the community by preparing graduates to enter the workforce to address a local and national crisis in behavioral and mental health.