To help meet workforce demands for mental health and nutrition professionals in Southern Utah and beyond, Utah Tech University has received approval to offer a Master of Arts in Counseling and Clinical Psychology and an Associate of Science in Nutrition beginning Fall 2027.
Utah Tech University adding a master’s in counseling & clinical psychology, associate in nutrition
Utah Tech’s new graduate psychology program comes at a significant moment for the profession. The American Psychological Association (APA) has recently expanded accreditation to master’s-level programs in clinical, counseling and school psychology, creating a new national pathway for professional psychology training. Utah Tech intends to pursue APA accreditation as the program becomes eligible.
The program will prepare graduates to pursue professional licensure and careers providing psychotherapy and other mental health services. They may find work in non-profits, private practices, in-patient programs, or begin private practices of their own. These highly trained graduates will help address the need for mental health professionals in Utah, particularly in regional and rural communities.
“Clinical psychology is entering an important new era, with a new pathway for master’s-level programs to pursue APA accreditation. Utah Tech has an opportunity to help shape what that training looks like,” said John Jones, chair of Utah Tech’s Psychology Department. “Drs. Lisa Scott and Natalie Noel are building this program around rigorous standards for psychological science and clinical practice, with the goal of pursuing APA accreditation and preparing exceptional clinicians to serve Southern Utah and communities across the state.”
Only six master’s programs nationwide currently hold APA accreditation. Utah Tech is designing its program from the outset around this emerging national model while emphasizing the behavioral health needs of the region.
Students will receive broad training in counseling, diagnosis, ethics, supervision, and cultural responsiveness. They will also examine the responsible use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in mental health care and complete focused coursework in a specialty area of their choice: Aging and Grief, Spirituality and Religion, or Trauma.
“Therapy is complex and deeply human, and our program is designed with that in mind,” Scott, the program director, said. “Students will build a strong foundation in psychological science while developing the flexibility, self-awareness and clinical skills to work with people from diverse backgrounds and worldviews. They will learn from faculty who are both researchers and practicing therapists, bringing current clinical experience into the classroom.”
The program will be housed in Utah Tech’s Psychology Department, which also offers graduate training in Marriage and Family Therapy and undergraduate programs in psychology. Applications will open soon, with details available at psychology.utahtech.edu.
Across campus, Utah Tech’s Department of Family Studies and Human Development will also begin offering a new program in 2027. The new Associate of Science in Nutrition will complement the nutrition minor and emphasis in integrated studies added this past fall.
The associate degree will provide students with a foundation in food, nutrients and eating behaviors for individuals and families. The program will emphasize the role of nutrition in promoting health and preventing chronic disease. Students will develop skills in critical thinking, problem solving and applying nutrition concepts to real-world settings. The program also introduces academic and career pathways in nutrition and related fields, including preparation for becoming a Registered Dietitian, dietetic technician or family/life coach.
“Nutrition plays such an important role in the health and well-being of individuals and families, and we’re excited to make this education more accessible to our students,” Nica Clark, Utah Tech assistant professor of family studies and human development-nutrition, said. “This program will prepare students with practical knowledge they can take into their careers and communities, helping them make a meaningful difference in the health and well-being of the people they serve.”
Both programs have received approval from Utah Tech’s Board of Trustees as well as UT’s accrediting body, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Learn more about all of Utah Tech University’s academic offerings at academics.utahtech.edu.