UB Introduces Programme to Transform Mental Health and School Counselling

University of The Bahamas Introduces Graduate Degree Programme to Transform Mental Health and School Counselling

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Recognizing the pressing need for qualified mental health professionals, University of The Bahamas is actively contributing to this crucial fight as The Bahamas is taking a significant step towards addressing mental health and psychosocial issues.

UB has introduced a cutting-edge Master of Science (MSc) in Counselling degree programme with two concentrations – mental health counselling and school counselling, areas where there is a clear and present need.

The aim is to produce highly skilled mental health and school counselling professionals to offer comprehensive care and treatment.

Graduates will be able to work in diverse settings including hospitals, mental health treatment facilities and schools.

“University of The Bahamas is dedicated to nation building and meeting the needs of The Bahamas,” said Programme Coordinator Dr. Detra Bethell.

“One objective of the recent Mental Health Bill 2022 is to ‘facilitate the provision of comprehensive mental health care and treatment in each community throughout The Bahamas’. The University has heard this need and has developed a programme to facilitate the training of qualified mental health professionals who are equipped to provide comprehensive, evidenced based, culturally relevant mental health care across the country.”

Dean of the College of Social and Education Studies at UB Dr. Thalia Micklewhite further explained the anticipated impact of the 60-credit programme.

“With the increase in mental health issues in populations across the world since COVID, and [Hurricane] Dorian in our own Bahamaland, the need for trained mental health counsellors has increased exponentially,” said Dr. Micklewhite. “Having been integrally involved in the approval of the programme, I know that it is of the highest standards and will have experienced and skilled facilitators to produce the finest graduates.”

“More importantly, I am delighted that the University of The Bahamas has embraced and delivered on the challenge to meet the pressing educational needs of the country. We will produce highly skilled school counsellors for our children, and mental health counsellors for the overall well-being of the nation,” Dr. Micklewhite added.

The programme follows the rigorous international standards and specific guidelines of the US-based Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

As it pursues its national development mandate, UB has been developing academic programmes to increase capacity in many sectors; counselling is one of them.

Students will be engaged in intellectual discourse and innovative content delivery. A cohort model will foster strong relationships among students to support their academic growth and professional development.

They will also benefit from highly-qualified and experienced faculty with backgrounds in aligned areas.

“The Master of Science in Counselling programme is definitely an excellent programme that will stand tall against similar programmes offered regionally and internationally,” said Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at UB Ms. Remelda Moxey. “The Office of Graduate Studies and Research is very proud of this programme and recognizes that it will prepare a cadre of qualified professionals who will resolve mental health and social issues throughout the country.”

UB has recently approved and is currently reviewing other graduate degree offerings in areas of critical national need including education, business, law and nursing.