School Psychology, M.S./C.A.S.
[School Psychology-0826.02]
The Master of Science in School Psychology program prepares students to evaluate, diagnose, and treat children and adolescents, in consultation with parents and teachers. Taught with an emphasis on Christian values, Roberts’ School Psychology program has a relative expertise in data-based decision making, mental health and clinical issues.
Since the graduate program in School Psychology has as its principle objective the preparation of students for professional practice, the program recognizes its obligation to the profession, clients, colleagues, employing organizations, and society to select appropriate students for the graduate program. Admission to the program is based on five criteria: completed application form, academic transcripts, autobiographical/writing sample statement, three written recommendations (one from a personal acquaintance, and two from current or former college professors), and scores on the General Graduate Record Exam (GRE). In addition, a brief interview will be used as an informal assessment of interpersonal presentation.
Admission Criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts discipline (psychology major preferred*)
- Accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00 preferred
- Official GRE Scores
- Prerequisite Psychology Coursework:
- General Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Statistics
- Research Methods/Design
- Abnormal Psychology
- Prerequisite Liberal Arts Coursework:
- Human Biology/Biology
- Oral Communications/Speech
- Written Communication/Writing
- Social Sciences and Fine Arts/Humanities also recommended
Transfer Credit:
Applicants to the School Counseling or School Psychology programs may transfer up to 30 credits from another regionally accredited college or university graduate program in which they were matriculated graduate students in good standing. Academic credit is not given for life experience or previous work experience.
SPECIFICS OF THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY, M.S. DEGREE
Minimum Total Hours: 78
Minimum Requirements:
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 must be maintained, with no grade less than a C+ (Only 1 is allowed). Any course with a grade less than C+ will need to be repeated. Field experience, practicum, and internship courses which receive grades of less than a C+ or failing grade will be referred to the Psychology Department’s Academic and Professional Evaluation Committee (APEC) for special action, which may include termination from the program. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 will be referred to APEC who will act in accordance with the policies identified in the Graduate Student Termination Policy. At a minimum, students with GPAs below 3.0 will be placed on probation. The student's curriculum plan will be reviewed and necessary adjustments made. Students who are on academic probation for two consecutive terms will be terminated. At least one term (excluding summer) must transpire before reapplying. Students who are struggling with coursework should talk with their instructors and advisors when difficulties arise so that remediation may be done as early in the semester as possible.
Credits in the Program:
- PSY 503 (3) Clinical Foundations of Interventions I
- PSY 504 (3) Clinical Foundations of Interventions II
- PSY 513 (3) Profess, Legal & Ethical Practice in School Psychology
- PSY 516 (2) Practicum I- School Psychology
- PSY 520 (3) Assessment I-Psychological Measurement
- PSY 522 (3) Integrative Assessment-Individual Differences
- PSY 530 (3) Advanced Developmental Psychology
- PSY 540 (3) Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior
- PSY 542 (3) Biological Bases of Behavior/Pharmacology
- PSY 565 (3) Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
- PSY 601 (3) Research Methods and Statistics I
- PSY 603 (3) Multicultural Diversity and Professional Practice
- PSY 604 (3) Evidence-Based Treatments and Interventions
- PSY 616 (2) Practicum II- School Psychology
- PSY 621 (3) Integrative Assessment IV-Social/Emotional Concencentration
- PSY 622 (3) Integrative Assessment V: Neuropsychological Concentration
- PSY 655 (3) Consultation for Prevention & Intervention
- PSY 664 (2) Group Dynamics and Group Counseling
- PSY 716 (3) Exceptionality & Diversity
- PSY 734 (3) Play Therapy
- PSY 735 (3) Conflict Management
- PSY 720 (9) Internship in School Psychology I
- PSY 721 (9) Internship in School Psychology II