Fostering a Community of Forward Thinkers

Agnes Scott College enhances its coeducational graduate and post-bacc programs preparing students for success in the medical and health fields

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BY MICHELLE LACOSS, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE ENROLLMENT

Meeting the needs of students — whether they want to further their careers or gain admittance into a medical program — has always been at the forefront of Agnes Scott College’s post-bacc programs, and now this commitment extends to graduate degrees and certificates. The college strives to offer innovative programs to help students achieve their professional goals.

In keeping with that tradition, the college added several new programs last fall — with a focus on health:

Scotties participated in the Early Assurance program that started fall 2022.

“This program is a wonderful addition to graduate studies at Agnes Scott,” says Jennifer Hughes, Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology. “In 2021, half of our psychology graduates had an interest in a career in counseling, and they wanted to attend a graduate program that is intersectional in nature. Agnes Scott’s program is unique in that the entire program is taught

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Master of Arts)

• Medical Sciences Accelerated (Master of Science)

• Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Flex (Certificate)

• Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Allied Health (Certificate).

The college is currently accepting applications for these programs, as well as two new tracks within the Medical Sciences, which will be starting in 2023:

• Medical Sciences Online Accelerated (Master of Science)

• Medical Sciences Traditional (Master of Science).

As of summer 2023, the post-bacc programs will be delivered as graduate-level certificate programs.

Current Scotties receive priority consideration through the Agnes Accelerated program. With the Agnes Accelerated 4+1 Bridge program, Scotties can begin their graduate coursework during their senior year for the Medical Sciences Accelerated (in-person) or Traditional programs.

The Agnes Accelerated Early Assurance program gives Scotties the chance to apply for early admission into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Several from an intersectional approach. We were excited to see that several Scottie psychology alums joined the program’s first cohort last fall semester.”

Designed to meet a growing need for mental health counselors who want to understand and honor their clients’ lived experiences, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree leverages Agnes Scott’s mission to teach students and future graduates to “think deeply … and engage the intellectual and social challenges of [our] times.”

“When we reflect on all that has happened within recent years, we can see that people need support, and licensed mental health providers are in demand,” says Jennifer Fulling-Smith, faculty director and associate professor of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. “At Agnes Scott, our Clinical Mental Health Counseling students are trained to critically think about mental health as well as barriers to mental health. We approach core areas of counseling with intersectional frameworks so that graduates will enter the field not only as well-trained, skilled counselors but also as counselors who can truly engage in the social challenges clients face due to the oppression they experience. This aspect sets our program and future graduates apart.”

Similarly, the Medical Sciences master’s degree is designed for students who want more advanced science classes before applying to medical programs such as medical school, dental school or a physical therapy program.

“In this program, students can meet with experienced health professions advisers, gain clinical experiences and take an MCAT prep course,” says Shoshana Katzman, faculty director and associate professor of medical sciences. “We are also looking forward to the launch of a traditional 24-month program and an accelerated online program this year.”

Meet our new faculty and students by following graduate studies on Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook. You can also learn more about these programs and other graduate offerings at agnesscott.edu/forwardthinkers.