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Forest Institute rolls out closure plan

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The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute plans to close its doors next fall.

In a news release cited by KY3 yesterday, officials said the closure due to continuing financial difficulties. Owned by Burrell Behavioral Health, the closure plan includes campuses in Springfield and St. Louis, as well as the The Robert J. Murney Clinic.

When Forest Institute merged with Burrell in 2013, the latter agreed to assume Forest’s less than $2 million debt load, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Jennifer Baker, director of the Murney Clinic, said the clinic would close when the school shutters, unless it finds new ownership.

“The clinic is our classroom. The clinic will be open as long as the school is open,” she said.

Baker declined to comment further, referring questions to Megan Weaver, dean of master’s programs. Weaver, who is set to become acting president of the school next week, succeeds acting President Gerald Porter, who was previously vice president of academic affairs. Weaver could not be reached by deadline.

Porter’s last day is tomorrow, Baker said. According to the release, he is taking a job with another, unnamed institution.

On Oct. 31, Porter succeeded 14-year President Mark Skrade, who exited the position for undisclosed reasons, according to a Springfield News-Leader report. Skrade’s LinkedIn profile does not list a new job.

The 30-year-old Forest Institute is no longer accepting new students but will continue to offer classes through the spring and summer terms. The school offers a doctor of psychology, as well as master’s and certificate programs for behavioral health professionals, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]

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