School Psychology Program (MA/CAGS)

School psychology is a challenging and rewarding specialty for which there is unprecedented need and demand. School psychologists apply advanced expertise in education, human development, and personal-social relationships—along with sensitivity and respect for others—in serving children, families, schools and communities.

Program Overview

This program prepares practitioners to enter the school psychology field with advanced level competencies that effectively meet the needs of today’s schools, students, and parents. The three-year program is focused on developing skills and professional behaviors that promote healthy development and reduce barriers to learning. Students receive a Master of Arts after earning 30 or more credits, and continue on to earn a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in the final two years.

“Our learning community includes outstanding field supervisors. We support their professional development through our continuing education programs, and we promote school improvement in their buildings through our community service programs and faculty consultations. This ripple-effect produces value for our students as well as for their students. Over time, we hope to see our graduates become field supervisors and pursue lifelong professional development within our learning community.”

—Bob Lichtenstein, PhD
Director of School Psychology Programs

Program Philosophy

MSPP integrates rigorous academic instruction with extensive field education and professional development assistance. We believe that the best learning comes from blending classroom knowledge with hands-on experience. While this happens throughout the program, first-year students receive a unique and particularly valuable introduction to clinical work as “Child Associates” in the Primary Project, an empirically-validated preventative mental health program. Students work with primary grade students who are at risk for adjustment problems.

“I came to MSPP because I felt that I would be around a group of faculty who were committed to their students- something that is often missing at larger institutes. I can't tell you how happy I am that not only have the faculty met and exceeded my expectations, so has the entire MSPP community. It's truly a family atmosphere when you enter the doors and that feeling has obviously stuck with alumni who still rave about their experiences when I meet them.”

—Jeff Forti, School Psychology Program

Program Outcomes

The Master of Arts and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in School Psychology provide advanced training, the opportunity to develop areas of specialized expertise, an increased capacity to supervise other professionals, and expanded opportunity to teach and conduct research in higher education. In addition, it may qualify an individual to practice independently as a psychologist.

According to U.S. News and World Report, school psychology continues to be one of the “best careers” for 2009. “Not only is the job outlook good, so are the working conditions. You are likely to follow the school schedule and work just nine months of the year. Status and job security are high, and the stress manageable.”

—www.usnews.com

Updated 1/19/10