UNT Dallas School of Human Services is Now The School of Behavioral Health and Human Services (BHHS)

The UNT Dallas School of Human Services has a new name. Effective immediately, the school will be known as the School of Behavioral Health and Human Services (BHHS).  Programs and degrees offered will remain the same. 

The new name reflects a focus on mental and emotional health and wellbeing especially relevant since the start of the pandemic. Changing the school's name to the School of Behavioral Health and Human Services also better describes the focus of the programs within the school as defined by the Council on Human Services Education membership requirements. 

“We are so excited about our school's new name,” said Constance Lacy, Dean of the School of BHBS.

“Including the words Behavioral Health in the title better describes our niche and aligns directly with noted state and federal acknowledgment of the need to increase the behavioral health workforce capacity.”

According to Dr. Lacy, another dynamic that makes the school's programmatic focus so significant is how the social and economic impact of the pandemic precipitated increased rates of substance use, stress, and suicidal ideation. “We are equipping students to address adverse behavioral health disparities and the systemic factors needed to improve overall mental health distress in the world.” 

A survey regarding the name was distributed to school faculty, staff, students, and alumni and results indicated unanimous support for the new name. The UNT Dallas Academic Council approved the request for name change in January. 

Dr. Lacy expects that the new name may help attract prospective students to both undergraduate and graduate programs. The School BHHS offers two undergraduate degree programs and two graduate degree programs. The Master of Education degree in School Counseling is a 48-hour program, and the Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-hour program. The Bachelor’s degree in Human Services Management and Leadership (HSML), and a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies (CDFS) prepares students for work in the social service sector.

For more information about the School of BHHS, visit the school website.