M.A. Psychological Studies (School Psychology - concentration)
Psychology and Ed.S. in School and Community Psychology

NEWS, PUBLICATIONS & INFORMATION:

News:
"What does a psychologist do" (Word Document)

Publications:
Splash Newsletter - June 2007 (PDF Format)

Information:
School and Community Psychology Brochure (PDF Format)

School and Community Psychology Handbook 07-08 (PDF Format)

The School & Community Psych. Retention and Remediation Policy (PDF Format)

OVERVIEW:

The School and Community Psychology Ed.S. Program provides training to graduate students to address the psycho-social and educational needs of school age children and adolescents. Inherent in this training is the belief that children must be viewed in the contexts in which they live. The social, economic, and cultural contexts shape their feelings, thoughts, and actions. The school can usefully be regarded as the second nurturing agent beyond the family. Consequently, it is intimately involved in the growth and development of societies’ youngest members. Students are provided with professional and academic training to address the individual, contextual, and systemic needs of children and adolescents as well as those who nurture and support them.

This is a 42-credit program leading to the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree and licensure in the state of New Jersey as a school psychologist. The program includes an Internship of 1200 hours as well as a Pre-Internship (Practicum) field experience of 300 hours. The theoretical model is an integration of dynamic and systems thinking. The program is recommended for individuals who wish to work in schools and in child and adolescent mental health facilities, or to prepare for doctoral study.

ADMISSIONS

Candidates for admission to the program may have earned either their undergraduate degree in psychology or graduate degree in psychology or in a related area (i.e., education). Students who have already earned the masters degree will take the 42-credit program described below. Prior to beginning the program courses, these students will need to meet prerequisite requirements. For example, students will need to complete any courses in the areas of psychological foundations (i.e., CPSY 6101 Personality Theory, CPSY 6102 Psychology of Human Development, CPSY 6103 Abnormal Psychology, CPSY 6105 Biological Bases of Behavior, CPSY 8100 Cross-Cultural Psychology) and in educational foundations (i.e., CPSY 6100 Introduction to School Psychology: History, Systems and Foundations and CPSY 6105 Principles of Learning and Behavior Modification) that are necessary for licensure and were not included in their previous programs.

Students who are admitted directly after successful completion of their undergraduate studies will follow the program of study described under the heading of the Masters Program in Psychological Studies – School and Community Psychology Concentration. These students will earn the masters degree after the successful completion of the Psychological Studies Program and the Ed.S. degree and licensure in School Psychology after successfully completing the School and Community Psychology Program.

All students must take (or have taken) CPSY 6001 Tests and Measurements and CPSY 7005 Statistical Theory and Computer Applications I, or the equivalent. A maximum of eighteen credits may be accepted for advanced standing at the master’s level. Only six credits will be accepted for advanced standing at the Ed.S. level. These credits must be from post-masters courses and must be approved by the program director and/or admissions committee.

In addition to University admission regulation, candidates who apply to the School & Community Psychology program are required to submit the following:

* A completed graduate application and fee;

* Official copies of all previous undergraduate and graduate transcripts;

* Three letters of recommendation, including at least two from former professors.

* Recent (within three years) scores on either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record

Examination (GRE). Students who apply to the Ed.S. program and have a master’s degree in

psychology or education are not required to take the GRE or MAT;

* A statement of career goals;

* A personal interview by the program director and/or admissions committee.

Course of Study – Masters Level in Psychological Studies (School and Community Psychology Concentration)

CPSY 6001 Tests and Measurement (3-credits)

CPSY 6100 Intro. to School Psychology: History, Systems & Foundations (concentration area) (3-credits)

CPSY 6101 Personality Theory (3-credits)

CPSY 6102 Psychology of Human Development (3-credits)

CPSY 6103 Abnormal Psychology (3-credits)

CPSY 6105 Biological Bases of Behavior (concentration area) (3-credits)

CPSY 6303 Community Agencies (concentration area) (3-credits)

CPSY 6505 Principles of Learning & Behavior Modification (3-credits)

CPSY 7005 Statistical Theory & Computer Applications I (3-credits)

CPSU 7101 Graduate Research Methods (concentration area) (3-credits)

CPSY 8010 Seminar: Ethical & Legal Issues in Professional Psychology (3-credits)

CPSY 8100 Cross-Cultural Psychology (3-credits)

Total Credits: 36

A comprehensive examination is required of all students at the end of the masters program.

Course of Study – Specialist Level in School & Community Psychology

EDST 6001 Comprehensive Approach to the Exceptional Learner (3-credits)

EDST 6108 Psycho-Educational Foundations of Learning Disabilities (3-credits)

ELMP 6601 Organization and Administration of Public Education (3-credits)

ELMP 6665 Curriculum Development and Evaluation (3-credits)

CPSY 6501 Professional Consultation/School Practice (3-credits)

CPSY 7501/8501 Introduction to Clinical Skills/Lab (4-credits)

CPSY 7502/8502 Individual Cognitive Assessment/Lab (4-credits)

CPSY 7503/8503 Introduction to Personality Assessment/Lab (4-credits)

CPSY 8519 Seminar in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (3-credits)

CPSY 9985 Introduction to Child and Adolescent Therapy (3-credits)

CPSY 8511 Practicum in School Psych. (300-hour field placement) (3-credits)

CPSY 8580 Internship in School and Community Psychology I (600-hour field placement) (3-credits)

CPSY 8581 Internship in School and Community Psychology II (600-hour field placement) (3-credits)

Total Credits: 42

A minimum of 300 hours of practica experience is required of all students in the program. A licensed school psychologist who has a minimum of three years experience oversees the practica student. The student at this level has a masters of arts degree and more than half of his/her testing sequence completed, including Individual Cognitive Assessment. Students select practicum sites in consultation with their program trainer.

A minimum of 1,200 hours of internship training with two hours per week of supervision is required of all students while on internship. Students select an internship site in consultation with their program trainer. A licensed school psychologist with at least three years of experience in the field is required to supervise students. Students may apply for licensure at the end of the first semester of internship if the school district where they are interning has a position of employment available.

Students that successfully complete the practica and internship training and all program/course requirements, are eligible to receive licensure by the New Jersey Department of Education as a certified School Psychologist, as well as the Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.) awarded by Seton Hall University.

The Practicum Experience
CPSY 8511: Practicum in School Psychology

Placement of practicum students is made with attention to the criteria set forth by the National Association of School Psychologists Standards for Training Program, Field Placement Programs and Credentialing Standards, the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the New Jersey/NASDTE indicator of compliance for certification as a school psychologist. The practicum is essentially a supervised experience where the trainee learns psychological practice from a competent professional psychologist. The professional work of the trainee is reviewed by the supervisor on a face-to-face, individual basis for an average of at least two hours a month throughout the period of supervision. Certification trainees must complete a minimum of 300 practicum hours (fall semester). Usually the student is at a practicum site three days a week (8- hours) for 15 weeks. It is the responsibility of the student to secure a practicum site before registering for the course. A monthly journal is submitted by the student to the faculty supervisor indicating the experiences observed, as well as the amount of hours completed. Both the practicum student and supervising psychologist sign-off on the monthly journal. Professional liability coverage is required of all students enrolled in CPSY 8511 - Practicum in School Psychology.

With regard to the competencies of the practicum student at this level of training, observational methods of learning are encouraged. The student does not have the expertise to conduct a full psychological battery during the practicum training. However, a partial psychological battery is permitted under the direct supervision of the supervising school psychologist. Typically, a student at this level has had experience in observational methods, interviewing, and cognitive assessment techniques.

The Internship Experience

CPSY 8580/8581: Internship in School & Community Psychology

Placement of students as psychology interns is made with attention to the criteria set forth by the National Association of School Psychologists Standards for Training Program, Field Placement Programs and Credentialing Standards, the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the New Jersey/NASDTE indicators of compliance for certification as a school psychologist. The internship is a supervised experience where the trainee learns psychological practice from a competent professional psychologist. The professional work of the trainee is reviewed by the supervisor on a face-to-face, individual basis for an average of at least two hours a week throughout the period of supervision. Certification trainees must complete a minimum of 1200 internship hours (fall/spring semesters). The intern is employed by the school system for approximately one year and works a full day schedule (6-7 hours). The intern is entitled to all the benefits that full-time staff receives with regard to the amount of vacation/sick time and professional days. Unfortunately, school psychology internship sites are generally unpaid positions with no health or medical benefits. Professional liability insurance and health and medical coverage are the responsibility of the student

The Seton Hall Internship in the School and Community Psychology Program has as its major objective the preparation of psychologists to function in institutional settings where psycho-educational goals are foremost, usually regular public schools or private schools for handicapped children. Students who successfully complete this phase of the program become New Jersey Certified School Psychologists whose preparation and functions are similar to those APA calls specialists in school psychology.

It should be kept in mind that our program's emphasis is on Community Psychology and that the school is but one, albeit a highly significant one, aspect of our societies arrangements for the guidance and welfare of children and youth. Therefore, while we realize the unique importance of the educational structures, we do not neglect attention to cultural patterns and mores, systems of foster care, the effects of poverty and racism, the impact of politics and legislation, and the maze of systems in child guidance and juvenile justice. The field of Community Psychology has not yet emerged as a well-defined specialty in psychological practice. As a graduate program, we intend to contribute toward the growth and definition of this timely frontier in psychology.

RESOURCES:

CONTACT US:
For additional information, please contact us at:

College of Education and Human Services
Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy
Jubilee Hall

South Orange, New Jersey 07079-2685
(973)761-9451

Program Director:
Tom Massarelli, Ph.D.
Director
Phone: 973-313-6129 | Email: massarth@shu.edu

M.A. Psychological Studies (School Psychology - concentration) Psychology and Ed.S. in School and Community Psychology

OVERVIEW:

ADMISSIONS

M.A. Psychological Studies (School Psychology - concentration)
Psychology and Ed.S. in School and Community Psychology