© 2024 Hawaiʻi Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Chaminade, Hawaii Pacific University Move to Acquire Argosy Psychology Program

ttarasiuk
/
Flickr

When Argosy University abruptly closed its nationwide network of campuses last week, 800 Hawaii students suddenly found themselves adrift. Argosy was home to one of the state’s two programs for producing doctoral level-clinical psychologists. Dozens of students were faced with the prospect of having to completely restart their training, which can take as long as six years.

But the likelihood of that appears to be waning. Soon after the March 6th announcement from Argosy that it would likely be shutting down on March 8th, Hawaii Pacific University announced to students and faculty that it would seek to acquire Argosy’s doctoral psychology program.

Today, HPR was able to confirm that Honolulu-based Chaminade University is also seeking to acquire the program.

Both HPU and Chaminade currently have master’s level psychology programs, but a PhD level program is generally need to produce clinical psychologists who can practice on their own license.

Preserving the Argosy program is a significant development for the Hawaii healthcare community, which is faced with a shortage of mental health providers. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, communities on all islands face a shortage of mental health providers. In some communities, such as Molokai, Lanai, and East Maui, there is not a single mental health provider.

Both Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific are working with Argosy’s court appointed receiver and accreditation bodies to acquire the doctoral psychology program, including its faculty, and students.

A decision on that matter is expected sometime next week.

Since Argosy’s closure, the Department of Education has announced that it will forgive Argosy students’ federal student loans for this semester. Students who transfer to another university will still be responsible for paying back loans on any credits that are accepted by their new university.

Monthly housing payments for veterans attending Argosy University on the G.I. Bill stopped once the university closed. Veterans can apply for a hardship waiver through the VA to continue those payments.

Hawaii students seeking further information should consult the Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program website.

Catherine Cruz is the host of The Conversation. Originally from Guam, she spent more than 30 years at KITV, covering beats from government to education. Contact her at ccruz@hawaiipublicradio.org.
Related Stories