Hamilton Center, Inc. (HCI) will partner with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) through the newly established HCI Scholars Program. The program will offer opportunities to HCI employees to enroll in the recently announced Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS-CMHC) and other master-level programs, as well as the Bachelor of Science in Addictions Counseling and the College’s Certificate in Addictions Counseling. This collaboration between SMWC and Hamilton Center, Inc. will assist with the high demand for mental health professionals. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment growth rate for mental health, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is expected to expand and grow by eighteen percent by 2032, faster than average for all occupations.
Melvin L. Burks, President/CEO of Hamilton Center Inc. said, “Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has been a strong partner of Hamilton Center’s for many years. This quality institution is perfectly positioned to offer our employees a top-notch education that will benefit our consumers and the entire community,” To help launch the program, a $175,000 gift will be provided to SMWC through Hamilton Center from Hamilton Center Foundation, Inc.
Brennan J. Randolph, MBA, interim president of SMWC, said, “We are pleased to launch this much-needed program to address the high demand for mental health professionals. The MS-CMHC will join our successful Master of Arts in Art Therapy (MAAT) and our Master of Arts in Music Therapy (MAMT),” Randolph added, “We are thankful to Hamilton Center, Inc. for partnering in this program, and we believe that this will be a true benefit to them in their pursuit of mental health professionals to serve the Wabash Valley.”
Bob Rhodes, Chair of the Hamilton Center Foundation Board, added, “Hamilton Center Foundation was so pleased to assist Hamilton Center in working to address some of the difficult workforce challenges in behavioral health.”
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will offer a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS-CMHC) beginning in May 2024. The curriculum for the MS-CMHC will be designed so that students can seek licensure in any state in the United States upon completion. The course delivery will be hybrid with courses online, two brief residencies on campus and on-site training in the student’s geographic area with completion in as little as two years.
“Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is very proud to offer the M.S. In Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students will take classes online and complete clinical training at sites in their communities. There is a tremendous need for mental health counselors in Indiana and across the U.S. With 50 years of experience in distance teaching, SMWC is poised to deliver a high-quality program that will ultimately help many Hoosiers with mental health challenges.” said Tracy Richardson ’88, Ph.D., MT-BC, dean of the division of arts and social sciences at SMWC.
To learn more about the MC-CMHC, visit smwc.edu or contact admissions at admissions@smwc.edu.