PSYCHOLOGY AND SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS
The Department of Psychology offers eight
programs of graduate study.
- Master of Science Degree in Psychology
(42 s.h.)
- Certification in School Psychology (63
s.h.)
- Dual Certification in School Psychology
and Special Education, offered in conjunction with the special
education department (70-90 s.h.)
- Supervision of School Psychological Services
(15 s.h. plus five years experience as a Certified School Psychologist).
- Master of Education Degree with Specialization
in School Counseling (36 s.h.)
- Certification in Elementary School Counseling
(48-51 s.h.)
- Certification in Secondary School Counseling
(48-51 s.h.)
- Certification as Supervisor of Guidance
Services (15 s.h. plus five years experience as a Certified School
Counselor)
The information below summarizes departmental
programs and policies. More detailed information is contained
in the Graduate Student Guide available from the department.
Students are responsible for obtaining that guide and following
its regulations.
Please
note application deadline dates: Summer and Fall semesters—March
1; Spring semester—October 1.
Departmental
Philosophy
The programs offered by the Department of Psychology are based
on an underlying philosophy that graduate training in psychology
and counseling should contain four essential components: academic
training in relevant theory and knowledge; research skills and
an ability to evaluate research critically; practical experience
that can be directly useful in subsequent professional employment;
and, a high degree of self-awareness and interpersonal relationship
skills.
The graduate programs in psychology and school counseling are
designed primarily to train practicing psychologists and school
counselors. We are committed to the development of individuals
who can knowledgeably and effectively practice their profession
in the community and in the school. The focus of the Master of
Science program is to train clinical service providers in psychology
and professional counseling. The Master of Education program
is focused on preparation of professional counselors as applied
to school guidance. The objective of the Certification in School
Psychology program is to train service providers who apply psychology
to school settings. The School Counseling Certification program
offers certification in elementary and/or secondary school counseling.
The Supervision of School Psychological Services Certification
is for individuals who wish to oversee school counseling programs.
These programs are competency-based programs. It is assumed that
acquisition of knowledge and skill development should proceed
sequentially. The development of skills requires a series of
practical experiences. Consequently, the programs emphasize the
practicum-internship experiences of students, in conjunction
with the development of self-awareness and personal growth.
MASTER OF
SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY: CLINICAL PROGRAM
The Clinical Program is designed for students who wish to
pursue
a career in clinical psychology and emphasizes training in clinical
assessment and psychotherapy. Students who wish to emphasize a
career in sports psychology are encouraged to contact their adviser to
determine an appropriate course of study.
CERTIFICATION
IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
This is a 64 s.h. post-baccalaureate program,
fully approved by the National Association of School Psychologists.
Upon completion of specified course work (43 s.h.) in the program,
the student is awarded a Master of Science degree in psychology.
Following completion of the final 21 s.h. of the 64 s.h. program,
the student is certified as a school psychologist in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. Students may also transfer into the program
after receiving a master’s degree in psychology or a related
area from another institution. When that is the case, a review
of previous work will be conducted to determine remaining certification
requirements.
CERTIFICATION
IN SUPERVISION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
The certificate to supervise psychological
services in the public schools requires 15 s.h. of course work
and practicum. Certification as a public school psychologist
is prerequisite to entering this program. While the student may
begin the program at any time after becoming a certified school
psychologist, a minimum of five years of experience as a school
psychologist is required before the supervisory certificate may
be granted.
MASTER OF
EDUCATION WITH CERTIFICATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
This is a 48-51 s.h. post-baccalaureate
program. Upon completion of specified course work (36 s.h.) in
the program, the student is awarded a Master of Education degree
in school counseling. Following successful completion of the
remaining course work and practicum, the student is certified
as an elementary or secondary school counselor in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
CERTIFICATION
IN SUPERVISION OF SCHOOL GUIDANCE SERVICES
The certificate to supervise guidance services
in the public schools requires 15 s.h. of course work and practicum.
Certification as a school counselor is prerequisite to entering
this program. While the student may begin the program at any
time after becoming a certified school counselor, a minimum of
five years of experience as a school counselor is required before
the supervisory certificate may be granted.
Admission Requirements
Students applying to the Master of Science degree program or
the Certification in School Psychology program are required to
have a minimum of 18 undergraduate semester hours in psychology.
Students applying to the Master of Education degree program or
the School Counseling Certification programs are required to
have a minimum of 6 undergraduate semester hours in education,
and 6 semester hours in psychology. In addition to an official
undergraduate transcript, the General Graduate Record Examination, three
letters of recommendation, an autobiographical sketch indicating
how the student’s desire for advanced training in psychology/counseling
developed, a group interview with the program staff, and a writing
sample form the basis for admission. Refer to the General Admission
Requirements section for further details of general admission
requirements.
Students seeking admission to the Certification in School Psychology
program after receiving a master’s degree from another institution,
and students interested in Supervision of School Psychological
Services, may obtain details regarding admission procedures by
contacting the director of school psychology, (717) 872-3709.
Students seeking admission to the School Counseling Certification
program after receiving a master’s degree from another institution,
and students interested in Supervision of School Guidance Services
should obtain information from the school counseling certification
coordinator (717) 872-3098.
Evaluation
of Students
The Department of Psychology has the responsibility of evaluating
its students to ensure that they will have the skills and competencies
necessary for professional positions. To assure a sufficient
level of competency, several methods of evaluation are employed.
Course
Grades
The first method of evaluation is the course grade. In content
courses, grades are determined by the student’s ability
to demonstrate to the instructor’s satisfaction that the
subject has been mastered. In addition, several courses are skill-oriented.
In these courses, grades are based not only on mastery of academic
content, but also on the instructor’s evaluation of the
student’s demonstration of appropriate clinical and interpersonal
skills. A grade of A indicates outstanding performance, a grade
of B indicates good performance, a grade of C indicates clearly
unsatisfactory performance.
Grades
of C
If a student receives a grade of C, that student is automatically
placed on departmental probation, and the student’s overall
performance is reviewed by the faculty of the entire department.
A student receiving a grade of C should first have a conference
with the instructor who gave the grade. The purpose of this conference
is to reach an understanding of the reasons behind the C grade.
Additionally, the student is required to write a letter to the
graduate program coordinator indicating (a) the student’s
perception of the problem(s) that led to his/her poor grade;
and, (b) what he/she intends to do to correct those problems
and prevent recurrence.
If the student receives a second C, the student is subject to
dismissal from the psychology and counseling department.
Grades
of Incomplete
A grade of “Incomplete” will be given only to provide
the student with the opportunity to complete unfinished work.
Students will be informed in advance, if at all possible, about
the pending grade of “Incomplete.” A mutually-acceptable,
written agreement between the instructor and the student receiving
the grade must be created to specify the deadline to complete
the requirements; content of the requirements; and default grade
in the event that requirements are not met by deadline.
Grades
of F
A grade of F will be given to any student found guilty of plagiarism
or other academic dishonesty. Students who receive an F in any
course in the program may be dismissed from the psychology and
counseling programs.
Qualifying
Examination for Psychology and School Counseling
The second method of evaluation for graduate students in the
graduate programs in Clinical and School Psychology and in School
Counseling is the departmental qualifying examination. All students
admitted to the graduate program, including those transferring
credits from another school, will be required to pass the departmental
qualifying examination. Passing the examination is a necessary
component of promotion to degree candidacy.
As of April 11, 1994, the following is the official policy concerning
the new Qualifier:
- Each student must take the Qualifier immediately
after the semester in which the third core course is taken. The core courses
for Clinical Psychology are PSYC 530 Child Development within the Family System;
PSYC 612 Research Design and Statistical Analysis; and PSYC 635 Psychopathology
for
Psychology. For School Psychology the core courses are PSYC 530 Child Development
within the Family System, PSYC 612 Research Design and Statistical Analysis, and
PSYC 600 Professional Seminar in School Psychology. For School Counseling the core
courses for Clinicical Psychology are PSYC 530 Child Development within the Family
System; SCCN 621 Counseling Theory and Practice I; and SCCN 645 Career
Development.
- If students fail any components of the
Qualifier, they must retake only those components. The retake
must be done the very next time the Qualifier is given (no exceptions).
- If all components of the Qualifier are
not passed the second time, a special sub-committee of the graduate
faculty will decide on the disposition of the student’s
case. Students should be aware that one option is dismissal from
the program.
- Without special permission from their
advisers, students will be limited to 18 credits prior to passage
of all components of the Qualifier. This also applies to psychology
credits obtained before admission to the program.
All students in the graduate program are
expected to pass the qualifying examination before they may register
for any assessment or therapy courses.
Clinical
Competence Review Process
Students who are judged to lack clinical or counseling skills,
professional competence, or professional attitudes are subject
to dismissal from the psychology and counseling programs. All
faculty teaching graduate courses are qualified and ethically
bound to evaluate all the above-mentioned skills and competencies.
If there are any concerns, the student will receive a warning
letter from his/her adviser and the graduate program coordinator
indicating the concerns and what must be done to correct them.
If the concerns are not satisfactorily addressed, the student
is subject to dismissal from the Department of Psychology after
review by the graduate committee.
Ethical
Principles of Psychologists and School Counselors
Students whose behavior, in any way, indicates a breach of the
standards specified by the American Psychological Association,
the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, the Pennsylvania
State Licensure Board, or the American Counseling Association
are subject to dismissal from the Department of Psychology and
School Counseling.
Grievance
Procedure
Students should be aware that there is a student grievance procedure
which is specified in the department’s Graduate Student
Guide.
DEGREE CANDIDACY FOR PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMS
To advance to degree candidacy, all students must meet the following
requirements:
- Pass all core courses with a B or better;
- Pass PSCY 630 with a B or better;
- Pass PSYC 631 with a B or better;
- Pass the Comprehensive Qualifying Exam;
- Receive a satisfactory evaluation from
the psychology department graduate committee.
DEGREE CANDIDACY FOR
SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM
To advance to degree candidacy, all students must meet the following
requirements:
- Pass all core courses with a B or better;
- Complete phase I or Pre-practicum;
- Receive a satisfactory evaluation from
the graduate committee;
- Complete SCCN 630 Multi-Cultural Counseling
and SCCN 651 Counseling Theory and Practice 2
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
MASTER OF
SCIENCE DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY: CLINICAL PROGRAM
(42 s.h.)
CORE 9 s.h.
PSYC 530 Child Development Within the Family
System (3)
PSYC 612 Research Design and Statistical Analysis (3)
PSYC 635 Psychopathology (3)
Skills I: Core (6 s.h.)
PSYC 630 Group Processes & Personality
(3)
PSYC 631 Psychotherapy & Intervention Skills (3)
Skills II: Assessment (6 s.h.)
PSYC 671 Psychological Assessment I (3)
PSYC 673 Personality Assessment (3)
Skills III: Advanced (6 s.h.)
Selected Therapies (must be two different
therapies)
PSYC 632 Group Counseling and Psychotherapy (3)
PSYC 636 Cognitive Therapy (3)
PSYC 637 Family Therapy (3-6)
PSYC 638 Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (3)
Electives (9 s.h.) Choose 3
PSYC 515 Physiological Psychology (3)
PSYC 517 Tests and Measures (3)
PSYC 526 Advanced Adolescent Psychology (3)
PSYC 536 Applications of Biopsychology (3)
PSYC 547 Applied Social Psychology (3)
PSYC 566 Clinical Hypnosis (3)
PSYC 613 Substance Abuse Disorders (3)
PSYC 634 Child Psychopathology and Interventions (4)
PSYC 681 Practicum in Psychology (3-6)
SCCN 631 Multicultural Counseling (3)
SCCN 645 Career Development (3)
SCCN 657 Brief Counseling (3)
Selected Therapies
Other courses taught in the psychology department and approved
by adviser may be taken as electives:
Research (this is an optional sequence)
(9 s.h.)
PSYC 696 Methods of Research in Psychology
(3)
PSYC 699 Thesis (3)
Any elective course
Practicum (6 s.h.)
PSYC 681 Practicum in Psychology (3-6)
PSYC 682 Internship & Seminar in Psychology (6-12)
CERTIFICATION
PROGRAM IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
(64 s.h.)
CORE (9 s.h.)
PSYC 530 Child Development Within the Family
System (3)
PSYC 600 Seminar in School Psychology (3)
PSYC 612 Research Design and Statistical Analysis (3)
Skills I: Core (6 s.h.)
PSYC 630 Group Processes & Personality
(3)
PSYC 631 Psychotherapy and Intervention Skills (3)
Skills II: Assessment (9 s.h.)
PSYC 671 Psychological Assessment I (3)
PSYC 672 Psychological Assessment II (3)
PSYC 673 Personality Assessment (3)
Skills III: Interventions (10 s.h.)
PSYC 540 Classroom Intervention (3)
PSYC 646 Consultation (3)
PSYC 634 Child Psychopathology and Interventions (4)
Educational Foundations (3 s.h.)
SPED 601 Psychology of Exceptional Children
(3)
Related Courses (12 s.h.)
PSYC 547 Applied Social Psychology (3)
RDED 621 Foundations of Reading and Writing (3)
EDUC 671 Curriculum Development in the School (3)
PSYC 536 Applications of Biopsychology (3)
Electives: (3 s.h.) (select one of the
following)
SCCN 630 Multicultural Counseling (3)
PSYC 637 Family Therapy (3)
or
Selected course with approval of adviser
Field Experiences (12 s.h.)
PSYC 685 Practicum in School Psychology
(3)
PSYC 686 Internship and Seminar in School Psychology (9)
CERTIFICATION
PROGRAM IN SUPERVISION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
(School Psychology Certification plus 15 s.h.)
I. Core Curriculum Courses
See the Supervisory
Certification Program section for requirements and course
descriptions.
II. Department Field Course
PSYC 799 Applied Supervision: School Psychological
Services (6)
MASTER OF
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
(36 s.h.)
Students are required to have a minimum
of six semester hours in undergraduate or graduate education
courses, and six semester hours in undergraduate or graduate
general and developmental psychology. They must also be computer
literate.
Deficiencies in education courses may be corrected by taking
two courses offered through the educational foundations department,
in consultation with student’s adviser. Deficiencies in
psychology may be corrected by taking two psychology courses,
in consultation with student’s adviser.
Professional Core (6 s.h.)
One of the following:
EDFN 601 Methods of Research (3)
* PSYC 612 Research Design and Statistical Analysis (3)
One of the following:
EDFN 511 Comparative Education (3)
EDFN 590 Social Foundations of Education (3)
EDFN 603 Philosophy of Education (3)
EDFN 604 Education and Public Policy (3)
* The following sequence is recommended
for students planning to apply for a doctoral program.
PSYC 612 Research Design & Statistical
Analysis (3)
PSYC 696 Research Methods in
Psychology (3)
PSYC 699 Thesis (3)
Phase I Core (9 s.h.)
SCCN 621 Counseling Theory & Practice I (3)
SCCN 645 Career Development (3)
PSYC 530 Child Development Within the Family System (3)
PRE-PRACTICUM (0)
Degree Qualifying Examination should be
taken after completion of Phase I courses.
Phase II (15 s.h.)
SCCN 612 Study of the Individual (3)
SCCN 622 Group Procedures in Counseling (3)
SCCN 630 Multi-Cultural Counseling (3)
SCCN 631 Appraisal Techniques for Guidance Purposes (3)
SCCN 651 Theory and Practice II (3)
Phase III (6 s.h.)
SCCN 657 Brief Counseling (3)
SCCN 671 Guidance Program Development (3)
Note: Pre-practicum field experiences
are required for the M.Ed. The designated activities as outlined
in the pre-practicum syllabus should be initiated upon acceptance
into the school counseling program. Students are responsible
to their advisers for documentation of the requirements.
Prerequisites:
SCCN 621 for SCCN 622 and SCCN 651
SCCN 621, 622, 651 for SCCN 657
SCCN 645 for SCCN 672
All SCCN degree and certification courses for SCCN 671.
MASTER OF
EDUCATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
- Provisional Acceptance
- Phase I Core completed and degree qualifying
examination passed
- SCCN 630, SCCN 651 completed
- Pre-Practicum Phase I completed
- Recommendation of Graduate Committee
- Admission to degree candidacy
- Computer literacy
CERTIFICATION
PROGRAM IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
(Master of Education plus 12 - 15 s.h.)
(Transfer students will be required to take a minimum of 24 s.h.)
Application should be made for admission into certification program
after acceptance for degree candidacy.
SCCN 671 Guidance Program Development (3)
SCCN 672 Technology in Guidance (3)
PSYC 540 Classroom Intervention (3)
PSYC 646 Consultation (3)
SPED 600 Orientation to Special Education (3) (if no Special
Education background)
One of the following:
SCCN 675 Supervised Practicum in Elementary
School (3)
SCCN 676 Supervised Practicum in Secondary School (3)
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