Cambridge College' School of Psychology and Counselling, a private non-profit institution of higher education, will be introducing the “Geriatric Mental Health” Concentration for the master of education degree beginning in Fall 2012. The 62-credit programme is designed to prepare highly-trained elder-care professionals.

According to Dr Niti Seth, dean of the School of Psychology & Counselling at Cambridge College, there is a well-documented shortage of clinicians able to provide competent mental health care to older adults. “The workplace demand for professionals with expertise in elder care is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decades with the ageing of our population,” says Dr Seth. “By launching this programme, Cambridge College recognizes the necessity of training a professional workforce capable of meeting this emerging need in our communities.”

It allows graduates to sit for state licensure as mental health counsellors and simultaneously apply for certification as “geriatric care managers” through the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. In addition to those already working in human or health services, including clinicians, mental health counsellors, case workers and social workers, the programme also welcomes individuals seeking to enter the field of mental health counselling who have a special interest working with elder populations.

As with all Cambridge College programmes, students have the opportunity to complete a graduate degree with a high demand concentration while maintaining their full time employment and meeting family obligations.

“With the changing demographics of our country, the need for mental health clinicians trained to work with older adults is simply a fact,” says Programme Chair Katherine King.” This programme provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to treat this population competently and compassionately. It shows that Cambridge College continues to be a forward-looking institution, committed to serving underserved populations as well as to providing its students with the skills expected to be in great demand in years to come.”

Cambridge College is dedicated to providing academically excellent, time-efficient, and cost-effective higher education for a diverse population of adult learners for whom those opportunities may have been limited or denied. Founded in 1971, Cambridge College is a private non-profit institution of higher education accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, (NEASCCIHE).