LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bellarmine University, renowned for its strong undergraduate psychology program, is set to offer a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Psychology, starting in fall 2025. This marks the university’s first graduate degree in psychology and will be the first standalone clinical psychology program in Louisville and only the fifth in Kentucky.
The new program addresses the growing demand for mental healthcare providers in Kentucky, where access to mental health services has been critically lacking, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2023 report by Mental Health America (MHA), over 21.9% of adults in Kentucky reported having a mental illness, higher than the national average of 20.8%. Alarmingly, more than half of these individuals did not receive treatment, and the situation is even more dire for youth, with over three-fourths of young people with depression lacking access to necessary behavioral health services.
Dr. Felicia Smith, assistant professor of psychology at Bellarmine, will oversee the new graduate program. She emphasized the urgency of expanding the workforce of well-prepared mental health providers in the state, pointing out that Kentucky has 390 individuals for every one mental health provider. “With the growing demand for mental health services, the need for qualified providers has never been more critical,” Dr. Smith said.
The new master’s program builds on Bellarmine’s well-established undergraduate psychology major, which has been consistently ranked among the top five majors for incoming first-time full-time students for the past five years. The MS in Clinical Psychology will not only provide opportunities for Bellarmine graduates to continue their education but also attract students from across the region to pursue a career in mental health.
Bellarmine President Susan M. Donovan highlighted that the creation of the graduate program aligns with the university’s mission of preparing individuals to lead, serve, and make positive societal change. “With the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders across the nation, it is essential for Bellarmine to lead in strengthening the mental health system,” she said.
Graduates of the program will be equipped to work as clinical practitioners, providing assessment, diagnosis, and therapy services. Career opportunities will include roles in community mental health centers, hospitals, schools, and private practice, where graduates can work with individuals, families, and groups.
National and state-level data reinforce the importance of training in this field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 18% increase in employment for behavioral and mental health counselors from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Additionally, Kentucky’s demand for mental health professionals is expected to grow by more than 20% in the coming years, according to KET Education.
Furthermore, recent changes in Kentucky’s licensing law will expedite the certification process for graduates with a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. The new law allows individuals to practice independently after completing two years of supervised professional experience, rather than the previous five years, making the degree even more attractive to those seeking to provide mental health services.
The Master of Science in Clinical Psychology is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. The program will be a two-year, 60-hour course of study, conducted in person, and will meet the American Psychological Association’s Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology Master’s programs. Graduates will be eligible for certification as a Licensed Psychological Practitioner in Kentucky.
For more information about the program, or to request additional details, visit Bellarmine University’s website.
About Bellarmine University
Founded in 1950, Bellarmine University is an independent Catholic institution with a strong liberal arts foundation. It offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, alongside over 30 graduate and second-degree programs. With an enrollment of 3,000 students and an alumni community of over 27,000, Bellarmine is committed to preparing individuals for a life of service, leadership, and positive societal impact.
