Forest Institute opening St. Louis satellite office

The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute is launching a teaching site in St. Louis, the school's first expansion outside the Springfield area.

The St. Louis site, in the Golfview building at 11477 Olde Cabin Road in the western suburb of Creve Coeur, will begin offering a Master of Arts program in clinical psychology in June, according to a school news release. The school will use about 7,500 square feet to eventually accommodate 40 full-time students.

St. Louis was identified as the preferred location for expansion due to a number of mental health training and support opportunities, and the school applied in August for accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges to expand into the Gateway City.

School officials say they are possibly looking to other markets as well.

“Our bold vision is to be known for enriching the lives of students and the communities we serve through advancing the practice of health care,” President Mark Skrade said in the release. “To realize this vision, the Forest Institute must expand its influence into new markets and deliver innovative graduate programs that respond to the needs of the health care marketplace.”

St. Louis faculty will coordinate and partner with faculty in Springfield to ensure continuity across programs, and students at the St. Louis campus will have the option of transferring to the Springfield campus to earn a Doctor of Psychology, the release said.