Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, is preparing to launch a master's program in clinical mental health, according to a report by Mainebiz. The program would train graduate students to work as licensed mental health counselors.
The move comes as demand for mental health services continues to outpace the available workforce across the country. Maine, like many states, faces a shortage of licensed clinical providers, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
A graduate-level program focused on clinical training would add to the pipeline of credentialed counselors entering the field. Thomas College, which has traditionally been known for business-focused programs, would be expanding into the health and human services space with this addition.
Details on enrollment timelines and program structure were not immediately available, but the college's intent to launch the program has been announced. The degree would prepare graduates to work in settings such as community mental health centers, hospitals, and private practice.
The addition of clinical mental health programs at smaller regional colleges has become part of a broader strategy to grow the behavioral health workforce in states where large research universities are not accessible to all students.