Inaugural Class Rescheduled for Spring 2025, Providing Students with More Time to Apply

August 5, 2024

Tempe, Ariz. – Sonoran University of Health Sciences is excited to announce it has received Title IV Financial Aid approval for students interested in enrolling in the institution’s new School of Mental Health, which will house Sonoran’s innovative and highly anticipated new Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program. The program, now scheduled to launch in Spring 2025 so students have additional time to apply for assistance, aims to meet the urgent need for licensed mental health practitioners locally and nationwide.

“Receiving Title IV financial aid eligibility for this program is a critical milestone that enables us to support our students who are passionate about pursuing a career in mental health but may face financial barriers,” said Dr. Gena E. Kadar, dean of Sonoran University’s College of Nutrition and the new School of Mental Health. “As a testament to Sonoran University’s commitment to make high quality education accessible to a broader range of prospective learners and foster the next generation of mental health professionals, we have chosen to reschedule the launch of the program to Spring 2025 to provide students who qualify with additional time to apply for this important financial assistance.”

Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs refers to the financial aid programs for postsecondary students, authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (Title IV, HEA) and administered by the U.S. Department of Education and listed in 34 CFR 668.1(c). In general, Title IV programs provide grant, work-study, and loan funds to students attending approved colleges or career schools.

To increase access for students nationwide, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has been designed for working adults, will be fully online, and can be completed in as little as two and a half years. Additionally, the program incorporates best practices in supporting adult learners, a unique Virtual Health Center Experience clinical simulation, and will differentiate graduates with training in specialized areas such as:

• field-based crisis care, so they can work alongside law enforcement and other first responders to de-escalate mental health emergencies.
• evidence-based integrative mental health care (e.g., nutrition, mindfulness) to empower clients, reduce costs, and enhance outcomes.
• interprofessional collaboration, so they are prepared to work effectively as part of a healthcare team.

Further, to support students’ internship requirements and remove barriers to accessing mental health services for the community, no-cost clinical mental health counseling will be available to Arizonans, and most states nationwide, by leveraging Sonoran University’s Virtual Center for Personalized Health Care.

Sonoran University of Health Sciences (formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences) has a rich history of preparing graduates for success as healthcare leaders and practitioners. Since its inception, the university has been an innovator in the field of integrative healthcare education and practice and strives to advance the profession of, and opportunities for, every graduate.

For more information on Sonoran University and the new program, please visit www.sonoran.edu.

About Sonoran University of Health Sciences

Formerly known as Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Sonoran University shapes a healthier future through the healing power of nature. The University has three pillars: education, community engagement, and research. Sonoran University of Health Sciences shapes a healthier future by supporting students as they train to excel as healthcare professionals, by enhancing the health and well-being of our patients and communities, and by discovering effective treatments for humanity grounded in the healing power of nature.

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