STCC Applied Psychology program responds to mental health demand

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – In 2019, Springfield Technical Community College launched an academic program in response to what one professor calls a “mental health crisis.”

To address a demand for skilled workers, STCC created Applied Psychology, a two-year option that leads to an associate degree in Liberal Arts/General Studies.

“We are in what we call a mental health crisis in our country,” said Ashley Pease, an assistant professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences at STCC. “It’s actually a worldwide crisis. Because of that we have more need than we have professionals in the field. There’s a huge need across the job market.”

STCC, the only technical community college in Massachusetts, offers a variety of programs in healthcare and other fields that address industry demand for skilled workers. The Behavioral Science program Applied Psychology prepares students with the foundations of psychology. They acquire skills to enter the job market. Some choose to transfer to a four-year university or college to further their education.

Graduates can take advantage of affordable transfer agreements with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and also private colleges. Many students graduate from STCC and go on to pursue advanced degrees after completing the bachelor's.

Responding to the demand, STCC in recent years expanded Behavioral Science offerings. In 2018, the college created a Human Services/Social Work option, and a year later added Applied Psychology.

“Applied psychology has continued to grow since then. It’s one of the fastest growing programs within the college right now,” Pease said.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Geraldine de Berly said, "The School of Liberal and Professional Studies faculty have been extremely responsive to providing courses and programs that prepare our students to address community challenges."

In 2020, the American Psychological Association released a survey that revealed Americans were deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They also said other factors created psychological stress, including “political conflict, the impact of racism and an economic downturn.”

The School of Liberal and Professional Studies faculty have been extremely responsive to providing courses and programs that prepare our students to address community challenges. Geraldine de Berly, Vice President of Academic Affairs

According to an APA article, “Stress in America,” Americans continue to face psychological stress into late 2022 due to political divisiveness, inflation and widespread violence.

“We have agencies that are looking at wait lists of 700 people or waitlists of a year or more because they do not have the people to assist in these professions,” Pease said.

Applied Psychology offers a starting place for anyone interested in entering the mental health care workforce, Pease said. Additionally, the program offers an opportunity for entry level workers at health care agencies who might want to earn a degree from STCC to advance in their careers.

First semester classes in the program include Anatomy & Physiology and Human Biology. As students advance toward graduation, they take classes such as Abnormal Psychology, Counseling Techniques and Child Psychology, to name a few of the required courses. At the end of the program, they participate in a Field Practicum or Behavioral Sciences Capstone in which they “take everything they’ve learned and tie it all together,” Pease said.

One second-year student, Megan Lane of West Springfield, said she chose Applied Psychology because she was interested in mental health.

“I always knew I wanted to go in to psychology, and I knew STCC had a good program,” said Lane, who is on track to graduate in May 2023. She plans to transfer to Westfield State University and hopes to one day earn her master’s degree and become an addiction counselor.

“The teachers are really amazing. I never really had a bad teacher,” Lane said. “They’re always there to help you. I did a lot of online classes to start. They were always quick to email back and explain things you don’t understand. They’re very good with what they’re doing.”

Madison Newman of Springfield, another Applied Psychology student who expects to graduate after the spring semester, hopes to continue with her education and one day earn a master’s degree. Newman said she wants to help people who are struggling with their mental health.

“Mental health is swept under the rug,” she said. “People look at mental health in a negative way. … They push them aside and make them feel crazy. I don’t like that. I want people to have a more positive outlook. It’s OK to not feel good.”

STCC partners with River Valley Counseling Center to provide students with increased access to mental health services. Students who would like to take advantage of counseling services can contact David Forton at (413) 755-4332 to schedule an initial referral session: (413) 755-4332 or dcforton@stcc.edu.

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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