Oklahoma State University’s College of Arts and Sciences is launching a new initiative for professional development courses. One example is the Department of Psychology’s course for those in helping professions including psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, physicians, nurses and more.

This introductory course on Motivational Interviewing aims to define, describe, and distinguish M.I. along with the benefits of subsequent learning opportunities. The self-paced module is set for three continuing education units with the State of Oklahoma Board of Examiners of Psychology and Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers.

“Motivational Interviewing is an indispensable tool for practitioners to deal with a common clinical problem – resistance to change,” said Thad Leffingwell, clinical psychologist, professor and head of the Department of Psychology. “Every practitioner should have M.I. in their toolkit, and this course is a great way to begin learning.”

M.I. is an evidence-based approach to bring about behavioral change in clients or patients who may be ambivalent about or resistant to making adaptive changes.

“Motivational Interviewing is the first in a series of outstanding professional development courses offered through the College of Arts and Sciences as non-credit opportunities,” said Bobbi Kay Lewis, assistant dean of CAS Outreach and Communications. “These classes are fully online! We’re so excited to have this great course launch the CASPDO initiative and thank the Department of Psychology for leading the way.”

Professional development courses like this one fulfill OSU’s land-grant mission of promoting learning, advancing knowledge, enriching lives and stimulating economic development through teaching, research, extension, outreach and creative activities.

Registration is $190. Visit caspdo.okstate.edu/mi for more details, or contact Christine Nichols at (405) 744-8459 or christine.nichols@okstate.edu.