NNews-Aug-2025

32 August 2025 Another way that schools likeWalden University is bringing in students who want to learn about behavioral health is by using programs such as Skillsetter tomake learningmore hands on, according toMoon. “All of our curriculums are created so that the students are constantly learning. They have hands-on experiences through video interactions, virtual reality interactions, and things like Skillsetter where we set up scenarios for the students to practice things like interviewing techniques and providing empathy to a client so that when they get in these agencies, they’ve had experience doing this,” Moon said. Along with the traditional college route, there are also certificate courses that are offered that people who are interested in joining the behavioral health workplace can complete, even if they don’t necessarily have the time or money available for college programs. “They want to help other people, but don’t know how they can without the education. We make it possible. We show them the different ways and it doesn’t necessarily mean they have to get degrees. We have certificate programs, such as an 80-hour program on addictions that we created with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, that follows the pillars and enables them to work in those specific areas,” Szydlowski said. “So, it gives them the tools that they need to get started. And then, if they want to continue on, at least they get a taste with a certification or a single course. Or if it’s for them, they know that they have a lot of different options to choose from, such as licensure to whatever pathway they want to take,” Szydlowski added. AdtalemOffers Many Options for People to Enter the Behavioral Healthcare Field continued from page 31 To learn more about the tools and resources AdtalemGlobal Education offers, visit www.adtalem.com or contact Szydlowski at Nicole.Szydlowski@adtalem.com . “ Most of our programs operate on the premise of social work and counseling and even clinical psychology that if we give clients the skills they need, then they will have the ability to help solve their problems instead of being dependent upon community agencies or even federal agencies. ” LisaMoon Dean of the Barbara Solomon School of Social Work at Walden University’s College of Social and Behavioral Health