������Ƶ’s newly launched Master’s Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) has achieved Criteria C status through the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board (NCASPPB), marking a significant milestone in the program’s continued development and commitment to workforce-responsive counselor education.

Criteria C approval confirms that the program’s curriculum includes the academic coursework and supervised clinical training necessary for graduates to pursue the educational requirements associated with the Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) pathway in North Carolina. This designation further enhances the program’s ability to prepare counselors to meet growing behavioral health and substance use treatment needs across the state.

Housed within ������Ƶ’s School of Health Sciences, the CMHC program was intentionally designed to address critical mental health workforce shortages through innovative and clinically rigorous counselor preparation. The 60-credit program combines strong foundational counseling training with integrated experiences in trauma-informed care, addictions counseling, wellness, and emerging mental health practices.

“This milestone reflects ������Ƶ’s commitment to preparing highly competent, ethical, and adaptable counselors equipped to serve individuals, families, and communities facing increasingly complex mental health and substance use challenges,” said Associate Professor Raychelle Lohmann. “Criteria C status strengthens our students’ professional opportunities while helping expand access to qualified behavioral health providers throughout North Carolina.”

“Our goal has always been to prepare counselors who can respond thoughtfully to the realities people are facing today,” said Judy Folmar, chair and interim program director. “Mental health and substance use challenges are deeply interconnected, and our students will learn to approach care in integrated, ethical, and relationship-centered ways.”

The CMHC program is currently preparing for its inaugural cohort and was developed in alignment with national best practices in counselor education. The program features a hybrid cohort model, close faculty mentorship, immersive clinical training experiences, and strong partnerships with community agencies and healthcare systems.

The Criteria C designation also reflects ������Ƶ’s broader mission to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and innovative approaches to addressing pressing health and wellness needs.

Applications for the Fall 2026 inaugural cohort are open until June 15, 2026.

For more information about ������Ƶ’s Master’s Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, visit: /u/academics/health-sciences/clinical-mental-health-counseling/

Suzan Wasik��and Raychelle Lohmann,��associate��professors of��clinical��mental��health��counseling, were selected as 2026��U-PEP��Faculty Fellows (University Psychedelic Education Program).��University Psychedelic Education Program Fellows are interdisciplinary and��largely come��from graduate-level, clinically oriented programs such as nursing, social work,��medicine��and psychology. Lohmann and Wasik say that ������Ƶ is one of the first clinical mental health counseling programs in the country to join U-PEP.��The two-year fellowship is offered through the Psychedelic Education Partnership, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit��“dedicated to advancing healthcare system readiness through rigorous, evidence-based, interdisciplinary��education in psychedelic science and care.”����

“Education is a critical foundation for the safe, ethical and equitable integration of psychedelic-assisted care,” said Sandy Samberg, founder and board chair of PEP. “As the clinical research base continues to grow and interest expands, the need for a well-prepared workforce has become increasingly urgent. The Psychedelic Education Partnership was created to meet this moment—maintaining��a clear focus on scientific rigor, collaboration, and education that meets clinicians and educators where they are.”��

The fellowship��includes many leading universities and research institutions, including��Johns Hopkins, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, UNC, and Yale, and��blends in-person and virtual instruction, mentorship from experienced educators, researchers, and clinicians, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and peer exchange.��Fellows also gain access to curated curricular materials through a dedicated Resource Hub.��Together, these elements are designed to help participants build foundational knowledge while developing the confidence to��responsibly��and ethically��integrate psychedelic education��into a range of academic settings.��

Both��������Ƶ��faculty members will apply what they learn to their teaching in��the university’s��new��Master of Science��program in��Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which��launches in Fall 2026. Offered at both the university’s main campus and its Charlotte national campus, the program aims to prepare competent, compassionate, and ethical counselors while addressing a growing��workforce��demand in the mental health field.��

“We are��very excited��to be able to talk about this in a way that is supported in��the literature��and in��evidence-based��practice.����Most��master’s degree programs do��not offer��any��exposure or��education about��psychedelics and mental health,” said Wasik. “As clinicians and educators, we will be able to talk about what’s happening in the��profession��and be able to use that information��to train this next generation of mental health counselors on��all the different��effective evidence-backed ways to help our clients.”��

Wasik notes��that most psychedelic therapeutic treatments��remain��in the clinical trial phase, though ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is currently legal. In her private practice, she collaborates with referring physicians to provide integrative counseling and consulting services for individuals pursuing this form of treatment.����According to Wasik, researchers are also studying substances such as MDMA, psilocybin, and ibogaine for their potential to treat PTSD and addiction, with particularly promising results among veteran populations.��

Lohmann specializes in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy), which she says could potentially be integrated with psychedelic therapies.������

“What��inspires��me about this��opportunity��is��the promising research surrounding Ketamine��Assisted EMDR and��the potential for these advancements to help inform��the evolving use of psychedelics in treatment,” said Lohmann.��“We really have an opportunity to leave a footprint in our profession to help people. And with U-PEP, we get to develop curricula, engage��in��meaningful��conversations��surrounding responsible care,��bring��continuing education into the ������Ƶ community, and most importantly,��raise awareness��about ethical and science-based psychedelic therapy.”��

for ������Ƶ’s��Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are now open, with a deadline of June 15.��

������Ƶ students’ presentations spanned both the ages and the globe, with presentations ranging in focus from ancient Maya society to generative AI’s role in online public relations discourse, and spanning both the experiences of Syrian refugees and the indigenous politics of Peru.

The setting in Richmond offered a unique opportunity for mentor/mentee pair Amanda Kleintop, assistant professor of history, and Athena Vizuete ’26, a history major from Carrboro, North Carolina, who study Civil War history. In addition to presenting, they built in time to tour local historical sites that inform their research projects.

“It was amazing to see the quality of ������Ƶ’s undergraduate research in our students’ presentations,” said Kleintop. “I was very proud of Athena, who presented on her research on Reconstruction in North Carolina that was threeyears in the making! Plus, there nothing like visiting Richmond as a Civil War and Reconstruction scholar!”

“NCUR is a wonderful opportunity,” Vizuete said. “I am so happy I got to present my research on a national scale and attend so many fascinating presentations by my fellow students.”

Senior Professional Writing and Rhetoric major Caden Halberg is mentored by Travis Maynard and presented his work entitled, “The Whey Forward: Successfully Advocating for the Galactosemia Community.”

“Presenting at NCUR allowed me to raise awareness about rare disease advocacy while connecting with students across disciplines, many of whom had never encountered this topic befor,” said Halberg.

Several students presented their work from the School of Communications. Senior strategic communications and public policy major Teresa Cao is mentored by Shanetta Pendleton, and presented her project entitled, “Sorry, Not Sorry: Exploring Communication Patterns and Perceived Authenticity of Influencer Apologies on Social Media.”

“NCUR was great because I loved being able to see the range of students and how the chose to pursue their interests,” said Cao. “It reinforced to me how there’s always something to learn or dig deeper into, and in my case, that was influencer apology videos. Pop culture is often a mirror to what’s happening in society on a broader scale, so I loved being able to share my insights on something that’s seemingly very superficial. It was also really encouraging to be around students from other disciplines since I got to hear their perspectives on my research, what they admired, and advice on how they’d do things differently.”

Students were accompanied by faculty members Eric Hall, Justin Clar, CJ Fleming, Jen Hamel, Amanda Kleintop and Judy Folmar. Folmar presented two mentor-led sessions accompanied by her research students in which they shared their research process with other student-mentor pairs.

NCUR was first held at the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 1987 and ������Ƶ students have been attending the conference since 1993. ������Ƶ typically has more than 40 students present at NCUR each year. Next year’s conference will be held April 12-14, 2027 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This year’s group is the largest in the program’s history. ������Ƶ doubled the size of its physician assistant class from 38 to 76 students, growing its capacity to prepare clinicians for communities across North Carolina and the Southeast.

The expansion reflects a broader transformation in graduate eduction underway at ������Ƶ. From classrooms on the main campus in Alamance County to new opportunities in Charlotte, graduate education is evolving with intention and purpose.

Guided by the Boldly ������Ƶ Strategic Plan, university leaders are investing in
programs where student interest intersects with societal need — strengthening health sciences, business, counseling and legal education while positioning ������Ƶ to serve both emerging professionals and working adults seeking new pathways.

That growth builds on more than 40 years of momentum. ������Ƶ launched its Master of Business Administration in 1984, followed by a Master of Education in 1986. Graduate offerings expanded into the health sciences with a Master of Physical Therapy program in 1997, which became a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003. The university established its School of Law in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Today, that trajectory continues with strategic expansion in fields
experiencing high demand.

“Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence,” says Allie Duffney, dean of graduate admissions.

A Changing Landscape

������Ƶ’s growth reflects broader shifts across higher education.

“We’re seeing a decline in the traditional college-age population, so expanding strong graduate programs allows ������Ƶ to serve new learners while staying centered on our undergraduate mission,” says Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, applications and enrollment in health professions, counseling, data science and business analytics programs remain strong in recent years. “Health care, law and behavioral health professions are facing sustained shortages across North Carolina and the Southeast,” Duffney says.

Several graduate programs are expanding to ������Ƶ’s National Campus in Charlotte, where students can learn, intern and network alongside major health systems, corporations, nonprofits and courts in a major metropolitan area.

“Growth in Charlotte allows ������Ƶ to design graduate education aligned with workforce needs and to support interprofessional collaboration and community partnerships,” says Veronica Marciano, associate professor, founding chair and program director of physician assistant studies in Charlotte. “It creates space to innovate across disciplines and opportunities for involvement in system expansion and workforce development.”

Recent and planned expansions include increasing the cohort size in the PA program on main campus; launching a second PA program, a full-time law program and Master of Science in Business Analytics Flex Program in Charlotte; introducing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program; and expanding graduate certificates designed for working professionals.

A Critical Call for Health Care

In response to nationwide demand for physician assistants, ������Ƶ expanded its cohort size from 38 to 76 students in January. The program remains committed to engaged learning, hands-on clinical practice, close faculty mentorship and access to diverse, high-quality rotation sites.

������Ƶ plans to matriculate an inaugural PA class on the Charlotte campus in January 2027, pending accreditation-provisional review by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

“Establishing a PA program rooted in Charlotte directly supports workforce needs by preparing highly trained clinicians who understand the local health care landscape and are invested in serving this community,” Marciano says. “Our goal is not only to educate excellent clinicians, but to meaningfully support and strengthen the health care ecosystem in Charlotte.”

That responsiveness also shaped the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which plans to welcome its first cohort in fall 2026 on ������Ƶ’s main and Charlotte campuses.

“Mental health care is no longer optional; it is essential,” says Judy Folmar, interim program director and chair of the clinical mental health counseling program. “Communities across North Carolina and the nation are facing rising rates of anxiety, depression, trauma and substance use while the supply of licensed counselors has not kept pace.”

Delivered in a 21-month accelerated hybrid format, the 60-credit program is designed to equip graduates for licensure while combining academic preparation with extensive clinical experience.

“The growth of graduate education at ������Ƶ reflects both institutional momentum and a commitment to workforce relevance,” Folmar says. “What excites us most is the alignment between ������Ƶ’s engaged-learning ethos and the preparation of advanced practitioners.”

Skills for a Changing Economy

As organizations accelerate digital transformation and integrate artificial intelligence technologies, demand continues to rise for professionals who can translate data into strategic action.

“Organizations are undergoing rapid digital transformation and increasingly rely on data and AI to make faster, higher-stakes decisions,” says Mark Kurt, associate dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. “The MSBA Flex Program in Charlotte equips working professionals with applied analytics and AI skills plus the leadership and ethical frameworks needed to translate data into responsible, measurable business outcomes — without pausing their careers.”

Built on the same STEM-certified core as ������Ƶ’s full-time MSBA, the flex format is designed for working professionals and emphasizes AI-informed entrepreneurship.

Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence.��—��Allie Duffney, dean of
graduate admissions

“Faculty and leadership are actively refining the curriculum, building stronger employer partnerships and adapting quickly to changes in the business and analytics landscape,” says ������Ƶ alum Craig Brandstetter ’25 g’25. “That flexibility and openness to feedback mean the program can stay relevant and cutting-edge, rather than being locked into outdated structures.”

Alongside degree programs, ������Ƶ is also expanding stackable graduate certificates designed for working professionals. Certificates in health care analytics and operations excellence can serve as stand-alone credentials or pathways toward an MBA or MSBA.

The Office of Continuing and Professional Studies recently launched its second cohort of an AI certificate for professionals, delivered fully online to provide practical AI fluency grounded in ethical application.

Expanding Access to Legal Education

������Ƶ Law has built a national reputation for experiential, practice-ready legal education. In 2024 the law school expanded its presence in Charlotte through the part-time Flex Program for working professionals and place-bound students seeking an in-person J.D. in North Carolina’s largest city.

That program quickly gained momentum, reflecting strong regional demand and ������Ƶ Law’s established ties to the Queen City, where nearly 10% of its alumni live and work. ������Ƶ has applied to the American Bar Association to begin a full-time law program in Charlotte in fall 2027.

“We already have strong relationships there through our programs and alumni,” says Zak Kramer, dean of the School of Law. “The legal community’s embrace of our Flex Program students confirmed that. A full-time program will allow our graduates to learn alongside Charlotte lawyers, build networks and launch careers there.”

Together, Greensboro and Charlotte position ������Ƶ’s School of Law as a statewide presence while maintaining the relationship-rich model that defines the institution.

Looking Ahead

As higher education evolves, graduate education is becoming an increasingly important part of the university’s future.

“The heart of ������Ƶ will always be our undergraduate liberal arts education,” Kohn says, “but we are strengthening and growing our graduate programs to meet changing societal and workforce needs.”

From Alamance County to Charlotte and beyond, ������Ƶ is expanding opportunities for graduate students to learn alongside health systems, businesses and legal institutions across the region. Those programs are preparing the next generation of physician assistants, counselors, analysts and attorneys to serve the communities that need them most.

Hosted by the Physician Assistant Studies and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) programs, the event emphasized a shared commitment: both physical and mental health are essential to overall well-being. As ������Ƶ expands its graduate health programs in Charlotte, both programs are intentionally preparing practitioners who understand the value of whole-person care and collaborative practice.

Robyn Wolkofsky, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, opened the event and welcomed guests to campus. Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies Lavette Shirley shared updates on the continued development of the PA program and its focus on preparing clinically strong, patient-centered providers. Judy Folmar, chair and interim program director of the CMHC program, spoke about the region’s growing mental health needs and the importance of training counselors who are equipped to address these with competence, compassion, and cultural humility.

In addition to program information, attendees enjoyed refreshments and participated in Valentine’s Day–themed crafts and wellness activities designed to reduce stress and reinforce the connection between physical and mental health. The gathering created space for meaningful conversation about student preparation, clinical partnerships, and the future of integrated healthcare in the Charlotte region.

As both programs prepare to welcome future cohorts, events like this help build strong relationships with prospective students and clinical supervisors who play a vital role in training the next generation of healthcare professionals.

“Our state is hurting when it comes to mental health professionals, and that’s even with the existing programs that are out there,” said Judy Folmar, interim program director and chair of CMHC, who joined ������Ƶ in 2003 as a counselor educator. Folmar has been leading the development of the program, along with Raychelle Lohmann and Suzan Wasik, accreditation coordinators and associate professors of clinical mental health counseling.

In North Carolina and across the Southeast, demand for licensed clinical mental health counselors continues to outpace supply, driven by increased public awareness of mental health needs, expanded insurance coverage for behavioral health services and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“������Ƶ doesn’t do anything halfway. Once there’s a decision to start a program, the resources are put behind it, and we do engaged learning better than anyone else. It is a dream come true – just thinking about how well ������Ƶ can do this,” Folmar said.

The 60-credit program will be a hybrid model, where students complete their first year of coursework in person and then transition to synchronous online coursework and in-person clinical placements in the second year. Courses include “Professional Identity, Legal and Ethical Issues,” “Counseling Theories and Techniques,” Human Development Across the Lifespan,” Diagnosis and Treatment Planning,” and more. All courses in the program will have both synchronous and asynchronous elements, and the university’s Interprofessional Simulation Lab will also be utilized. The hybrid model is a way to not only meet the needs of today’s learners but also the needs of the healthcare field.

“Tele-health has increased rapidly coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I think people have become more comfortable, in a lot of ways, with that method of delivery,” Folmar said. “It’s increased access, particularly in rural areas.”

The second year of the program includes a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship requirement. And for students to have the option to choose between ������Ƶ’s main campus and the Charlotte national campus is a benefit not only for the students, but the communities they will eventually serve.

“It’s the best of both worlds because ������Ƶ is in a rural area that has access to the Triangle and the Triad, and Charlotte is in the center of everything,” she said. “When students are looking at our program, they’re going to have their choice of campuses to apply to and really good rationales for either one.”

To better prepare students for the National Counselor Exam (NCE), students in the program must successfully pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). Because both the CPCE and the NCE are delivered in an online testing format, success on the CPCE not only indicates readiness for the NCE but also helps students build confidence and familiarity with online examination processes. While designed to meet North Carolina’s licensure requirements, the curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to pursue licensure in other states.

The CMHC program is one of two new School of Health Sciences programs at the Charlotte campus in the city’s south end. A Physician Assistant Studies program is expected to launch on the campus in Fall 2027.

Applications for the CMHC Fall 2026 cohort are with a deadline of April 15, 2026.