Eastern Kentucky University is gearing up to offer a new doctoral degree in clinical psychology.  The Richmond school received Council on Postsecondary approval last week.  EKU Director of Clinical Training Dustin Wygant says a main emphasis will be on preparing psychology practitioners to work in rural areas.  "And that's gonna be quite clear in our materials and the kind of students we're trying to attract for this program are gonna be interested, not just paying lip service, but really interested in training and remaining in these underserved areas," said Wygant.

The curriculum will include opportunities to help with mental health in rural Appalachia.  The academic program will provide specialized training in substance abuse, suicide risk assessment and prevention plus working with veterans and people with developmental disabilities.

Wygant says the plan is to begin with 12 students next fall.  "There are a lot of psyc majors.  A lot of them want to go on to graduate school in psychology, clinical psychology.  I really don't think we are gonna have trouble filling these classes and I think we'll be very competitive and get really good students," added Wygant.

Wygant says the plan is to enroll an additional 12 students each year.