Online university creates new school of social and behavioral sciences

Online university creates new school of social and behavioral sciences

Officials at Capella University, an accredited online education institution, have recently announced the launch of the Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, which will bring all the university's mental health degree programs under one roof.

Capella's existing School of Human Services and School of Psychology will be transferred to the new institution as the department of counseling and the department of psychology, respectively.

"Although the professions of psychology, counseling and social work will remain distinct, the new school will provide students and faculty with a more diverse academic community while improving administrative efficiencies," said Jody Neuman-Aamlie, interim dean of the new school.

Meanwhile, the university has also announced that it added three new online degree programs: a doctor of business administration, a doctor of social work and a master of science in career counseling.

At the secondary school level, more than 700,000 high school students are taking one or more courses online and nearly 40 states have established state-led virtual schools. Today, nearly 4 million students are taking online courses and earning online college degrees.

By Mark Danson