East Tennessee State University’s Department of Psychology and College of Nursing are playing pivotal roles in addressing two of the most pressing issues in today’s health care landscape: the growing demand for mental health services and the nationwide nursing shortage.  

And U.S. News and World Report, which recently released its 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings, featured both programs.   

“As a university committed to addressing the most pressing issues in health care, we are incredibly proud of our psychology and nursing programs for their leadership in mental health and nursing education,” said ETSU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle. "These nationally ranked programs reflect our dedication to preparing students to make a meaningful impact in the region and beyond." 

Psychology   

Psychologists across the United States have been grappling with an alarming increase in demand for mental health services, often resulting in longer treatment times. For three consecutive years, reports have shown that the need for mental health services continues to outpace the resources available to meet it. At ETSU, the Department of Psychology is committed to preparing students to meet a wide range of professional needs, from clinical services to research and applied psychology roles in diverse fields.  

“Our department is helping students make a real-world impact. Our clinical Ph.D. students are training and providing mental health services in community settings. Our undergraduate and graduate students are engaging in research on topics such as substance use, stigma, trauma and resilience,” said Dr. Alyson Chroust, interim chair of the department.  

The program offers various educational paths, including a doctoral concentration in clinical psychology that emphasizes clinical mental health services in rural, primary care settings. At the same time, the department’s undergraduate degree program offers multiple concentrations, such as clinical psychological science and health professions. All psychology concentrations help prepare students for careers in health care, social and human services, education, business and law.  

Nursing   

The College of Nursing, meanwhile, is addressing the shortage of nurses with impressive results. In 2024, students achieved an average first attempt pass rate of 94% on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), continuing a trend of success at ETSU – the largest nursing school in the state. With more than 500 graduates taking the NCLEX in 2023, the college is training more nurses to enter the workforce than any other institution in Tennessee.  

“As the largest nursing school in the state, we are keenly aware of how critical our work is to support the nursing pipeline, not just in Northeast Tennessee, but across Tennessee and Appalachia,” said Dr. Katherine C. Hall, associate dean for Undergraduate Programs and interim chief nursing administrator.  

Both disciplines remain committed to providing students with the hands-on learning and training necessary to excel in their respective fields. The College of Nursing recently received a 10-year reaccreditation, solidifying its reputation for excellence, while the Department of Psychology continues to offer diverse educational paths, from undergraduate concentrations to doctoral training, aimed at addressing the mental health crisis.  

East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

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