Health and wellbeing are foundational to student success for graduation and beyond and supporting student mental health remains a top priority for MSU.
In Fall 2025, UHW announced that as part of the 9% university budget reduction ask, psychiatric services would transition from Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) to MSU Health Care, Inc. Soon after that announcement, a pause was announced to ensure we could fully assess how to best meet the evolving needs of our students.
Psychiatric services will remain with University Health and Wellbeing, located at Olin Health Center, and will realign with Campus Health Services. This realignment brings all UHW medical services under the supervision of Dr. Tim Spedoske, UHW Medical Director. This student-focused and innovative plan continues to prioritize the high quality and coordinated mental health care students are accustomed to, while strengthening our clinical operations and leveraging our collective strengths.
Dr. Swapna Hingwe will serve as Director, CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) and Lead Psychiatrist, Campus Health Services, continuing to lead student-facing counseling and psychiatric services.
What this means for students:
What’s the difference between psychological services and psychiatry services?
A Psychiatrist is a licensed medical doctor (MD or DO) specializing in psychiatry—a branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists are physicians and have the extensive medical training necessary to evaluate both physical and psychological causes of illness, order laboratory tests, and provide comprehensive care through pharmacological interventions (medication management) and, often, psychotherapy.
A Psychologist is a doctorally-trained (PhD or PsyD) mental health professional who specializes in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions, behavioral issues, and psychological distress. Psychologists utilize evidence-based therapies and psychological testing to help individuals manage their mental well-being without the use of medication. There are other specialists who can provide therapy and counseling, such as a marriage and family therapist (LMFT), a licensed clinical social worker (LMSW), or a licensed clinical professional counselor (LPC).
References:
Psychotherapy vs. psychiatry: Differences and more
https://www.psychiatry.org/about-apa
https://www.socialworkers.org/
As of July 31, 2025, Physical Therapy (PT) services provided to students, faculty, and staff by UHW Campus Health Services will transition to MSU Health Care Physical & Occupational Therapy, located on MSU’s campus off Hagadorn Road.
New patients in need of physical therapy will be referred to MSU Health Care.
This transition reflects our shared commitment to providing Spartans with access to the highest standard of care through MSU Health Care’s integrated, faculty-led clinical network. We do not anticipate any disruption to the care that is relied upon.