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This article was published 25/01/2021 (865 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon University is winding down its bachelor of science in mental health, citing a lack of need for the program in 2021.

The decision was made at the university’s Jan. 23 board of governors’ meeting. Steven Robinson, BU vice-president (academic and provost), said there is no longer a need for the program.

The degree was created in 1998 as a post-diploma path to a degree for registered psychiatric nurses, Robinson said.

In the past, the path to psychiatric nursing was to get a two-year diploma, Robinson said. However, when a four-year diploma was created, it replaced the previous diploma.

Many nurses already working in the field at the time had the two-year diploma, but wanted to upgrade to a four-year diploma without having to do the entire program, he said.

The Bachelor of Science in Mental Health was created as a two-year post-diploma program to get a bachelor’s degree.

“It was always intended to be temporary. Now, 22 years later, almost everybody in the field has the four-year degree or the four-year diploma already, there’s no more demand,” he said.

Nobody is currently enrolling in the program at Brandon University and it has become redundant, Robinson said.

According to a memo presented to the board of governors, enrolments in the program have dwindled over the years. One student is currently in the program, but they aren’t registered for classes in the 2020-21 academic year. The student will have until 2026 to complete the degree.  

» dmay@brandonsun.com

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