2008 Woodie Awards
Expanding academics is always a positive sign
STAFF EDITORIAL
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
THE UNIVERSITY OF South Alabama is currently in the process of trying to receive approval from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to add another Ph.D. program to the University's offerings.
If approved, the Ph.D. program will be a joint effort between the psychology department and the College of Education. The proposed program would offer degrees in clinical and counseling psychology.
In order to obtain approval, there are many steps that must be taken. USA has already turned in a notification of intent to submit a proposal, which is the first step, and is now in the process of turning in the final proposal.
The addition of the Ph.D. program will be beneficial to the University, its students and the community in many ways.
First, according to Dr. Joshua Foster, professor of psychology at USA, there are no Ph.D. degrees offered in clinical psychology within 100 miles of our university. Many local clinics are trying to meet growing demand for clinical psychologist.
Many of the University's current students plan to pursue careers as clinical psychologists, which would require a Ph.D. By offering a Ph.D. program at USA, students currently served by our psychology department would not have to relocate for grad school. Additionally, students who move here to attend our Ph.D. program may be more likely to stay after graduation. Either way, a Ph.D program in clinical psychology at USA will help fill the local demand.
An expansion in the University's academic programs, especially at the doctorate level, will help build the reputation of South Alabama. Whether one agrees or not, one dimension along which school quality is measured is by how many Ph.D.'s a university turns out. The addition of any Ph.D. program will help in this regards.
But even with this superficial benefit aside, the addition of the Ph.D. program serves as a positive sign of USA's positive growth.
The proposed Ph.D. in psychology will fit well with the University's overall mission. Such a program will supplement the University's current strengths in the health-care field.
If approved, the Ph.D. program will be a joint effort between the psychology department and the College of Education. The proposed program would offer degrees in clinical and counseling psychology.
In order to obtain approval, there are many steps that must be taken. USA has already turned in a notification of intent to submit a proposal, which is the first step, and is now in the process of turning in the final proposal.
The addition of the Ph.D. program will be beneficial to the University, its students and the community in many ways.
First, according to Dr. Joshua Foster, professor of psychology at USA, there are no Ph.D. degrees offered in clinical psychology within 100 miles of our university. Many local clinics are trying to meet growing demand for clinical psychologist.
Many of the University's current students plan to pursue careers as clinical psychologists, which would require a Ph.D. By offering a Ph.D. program at USA, students currently served by our psychology department would not have to relocate for grad school. Additionally, students who move here to attend our Ph.D. program may be more likely to stay after graduation. Either way, a Ph.D program in clinical psychology at USA will help fill the local demand.
An expansion in the University's academic programs, especially at the doctorate level, will help build the reputation of South Alabama. Whether one agrees or not, one dimension along which school quality is measured is by how many Ph.D.'s a university turns out. The addition of any Ph.D. program will help in this regards.
But even with this superficial benefit aside, the addition of the Ph.D. program serves as a positive sign of USA's positive growth.
The proposed Ph.D. in psychology will fit well with the University's overall mission. Such a program will supplement the University's current strengths in the health-care field.
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