Graduate Programs

Certificate Programs

School, Certificate of Advanced Studies

Program Description | |Admission Requirements| |Degree & Certificate Requirements | |Course Descriptions

Program Description

The School Psychology Track of the Masters of Arts in Psychology is fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Students are expected to complete 63 credits hours in order to obtain the Masters (MA) degree and Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS). Students who graduate from this track are eligible for individual certification as Nationally Certified School Psychologists, pending successful completion of the national certification examination. Graduates of the program are also qualified for a variety of positions within the field of psychology and for entrance into doctoral programs.

The mission of the School Psychology track is to produce school psychologists who are well prepared to function independently in a growing and evolving profession. Graduate students in school psychology are trained to view themselves as part of the larger school system, and to make their contributions relevant to the goals of the institutions in which they are employed. The School Psychology track emphasizes early intervention and the use of data-driven, systematic problem solving to address the needs of children and adolescents in the school setting. Students are trained to provide consultation to teachers, parents and administrators; to provide direct counseling and intervention to children and adolescents; to complete ecological assessments of classroom environments; and to administer and interpret a variety of psychological tests to assess intellectual functioning, academic achievement, adaptive behavior, and social/emotional characteristics of students. Students are trained to complete multidimensional evaluations that address the specific reason for referral and that are directly linked to recommendations for intervention. The program promotes the use of intervention and assessment techniques that are empirically sound and sensitive to the diverse population of students that school psychologists serve.

Students are expected to display professional work characteristics that are critical to their ability to work effectively with peers, faculty, and school-based personnel. These include: respect for human diversity, effective communication skills, effective interpersonal skills, ethical behavior, adaptability, flexibility, and independence.

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Admission Requirements

• At least 21 undergraduate credits in psychology, which include courses in each of the following areas (all of which must be completed with a grade of C or better):
  
  1. Behavioral Statistics
  2. Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology
  3. Social Psychology
  4. A minimum of 3 credits selected from the following: Experimental Psychology, Experimental Design, or Research Design
  5. A minimum of 3 credits selected from the following: Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, Human Development
  6. A minimum of 3 credits selected from the following: Educational Psychology, Behavioral Principles, Behavior Management
  
  NOTE: These undergraduate prerequisites cannot be used to satisfy any part of the requirements of the degree. They must be completed prior to initiation of course work for the degree.
  
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is required for admission to the program. Students with GPAs between 2.75 and 2.99 with special circumstances may be admitted conditionally. All GPA calculations for admission are based upon the last 60 credits of undergraduate and post-baccalaureate study.
• Acceptable performance on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Competency for graduate study can also be evidenced by an earned master degree in psychology in lieu of the GRE. The GRE requirement may also be waived for international students who can document at least two years of successful employment at the professional level in school psychology, psychology or a clearly related field.
• The highest ranking applicants will be required to interview with the faculty of the School Psychology program.

Send the following admission materials to the Graduate School Office, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252:

• Three letters of recommendation. Applicants may use the Recommendation Form found in the Graduate School Application Packet, or may submit recommendation letters. Letters are encouraged.
• A letter of intent indicating why the applicant is interested in pursuing graduate study in school psychology.

Completed application and admission credentials must meet the deadline of January 15 for fall admissions. Applications are not accepted for spring admission.

NOTE: For candidates already possessing a master degree in School Psychology, courses from a previous degree in School Psychology must be required courses in the current CAS program in order to be accepted toward fulfilling requirements for the CAS. Courses that have been taken for the previous M.A. will be reviewed for currency by the program director. Additionally, students must earn a minimum of 30 credits past their M.A. to graduate with the CAS.

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Degree & Certificate Requirements

1. Required Courses:
   
   PSYC 603 - Human Learning (3)
   PSYC 605 - Counseling Techniques (3)
   PSYC 620 - Assessment of Intelligence (3)
   PSYC 622 - Advanced Multicultural Psychology (3)
   PSYC 625 - Behavioral Techniques (3)
   PSYC 651 - Techniques of Intervention (3)
   PSYC 687 - Advanced Experimental Design I (3)
   PSYC 703 - Preschool Assessment (3)
   PSYC 713 - Role of the School Psychologist (3)
   PSYC 731 - School-based Consultation (3)
   PSYC 733 - Exceptional Child: Advanced Issues (3)
   PSYC 761 - Social/Emotional Assessment (3)
   PSYC 771 - School Psychology Practicum I (3)
   PSYC 773 - School Psychology Practicum II (3)
   PSYC 790 - Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Psychology (3)
   PSYC 794 - Internship (1200 hours, full-time) (9)
   One course in instructional methods, curriculum theory or reading (3)
   A course in Family/Professional Collaboration (3)
   
   
2. Field Experiences
   
   Practicum: During the second year of the program, concurrent with other course work, students enroll in a full-year practicum course (fall and spring semesters). The course includes a one-day per week placement in a local school system under the supervision of a certified school psychologist (arranged by the program faculty) and a weekly seminar on campus. During practicum, students engage in a carefully sequenced series of experiences suited to their level of professional training.

Internship: Following successful completion of the practicum, students are eligible to apply for internships. The 1200-hour internship is considered a capstone experience and occurs after the completion of all course work. Internships are completed on a full-time basis over one year or on a part-time basis over two years. Students in local placements (approximately 90% of our students) attend a biweekly seminar on campus taught by the internship coordinator, who is a full-time school psychology faculty member.

3. Examinations:
   

   Master Comprehensive Examination
   The written comprehensive exam is required to receive a master degree and must be completed successfully before a student begins the internship. Students have one opportunity to retake the comprehensive exam if it is not passed the first time it is taken.

   Portfolio Evaluation
   All CAS candidates are required to submit a professional portfolio during the last semester of their internship. Specific contents and standards for portfolios are provided to students by their advisers. In general, the professional portfolio contains samples of interventions conducted with students and teachers, diagnostic reports and a self-reflective essay.

   Praxis II Examination
   Praxis II Examination in School Psychology is taken during the Internship year.

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Course Descriptions

NOTE: The information on this page represents the current information available from the 2005-2006 Graduate Catalog. Any changes in requirements made after the publication of this catalog may not appear. For more detailed and up to date information, visit this department's web page at http://wwwnew.towson.edu/schoolpsychology/

For admission information,
Contact the Graduate School Office:
t. 410-704-2501
f. 410-704-4675
grads@towson.edu
www.towson.edu/grad

For information on all matters related to admissions, fees, or registration, please contact the Graduate School at 410-704-2501.

Towson University is in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations that prohibit illegal discrimination.
The university does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. D&P 0899.27

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Program Director:
Susan M. Bartels
410-704-3070
sbartels@towson.edu

	• The deadline for completed applications and admission credentials is January 15 for fall admission only. • Apply now • Visit us