Psychology Department

Science Building, Rm. 431
201-200-3062

Dr. David Hallerman, Chairperson

Dr. Patrice J. Dow-Nelson, Coordinator, M.A. in Counseling Program
(201) 200-3124

Dr. James Lennon, Coordinator, Professional Diploma in School Psychology, M.A. in Educational Psychology Program
201-200-3309

MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
The Department of Psychology offers a broad education in psychology leading to the Master of Arts in educational psychology. The program of courses and field experiences serve as preparation for entry into doctoral or certification programs (such as school psychology certification) and is geared towards students who are interested or already involved in human services.

PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION

1. Completion of the general graduate studies admission requirements
2. Verbal and quantitative Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required.
3. Satisfactory completion of at least nine (9) undergraduate credits in psychology. (Additional graduate and/or undergraduate work may be considered necessary for admission. In such instances, an individual program must be planned by the student in consultation with an assigned graduate advisor).
4. Formal review of the applicant's credentials by the coordinator of the Educational Psychology program and the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education.
5. Two letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate's potential for graduate study are required.

THESIS OPTION
Students who wish to complete a research thesis as part of their M.A. degree requirement must make arrangements with a specific faculty member for supervision. Successful completion of the thesis option allows a student to fulfill the M.A. degree requirements with 33 instead of 36 credits with an additional 3 credits awarded for the thesis. A student who chooses not to write a thesis is required to complete 36 credits of course work.

MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
(36 credits or 33 credits and a thesis)

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
The school psychology program is a 74-credit integrated and sequenced course of study leading to a MA in Educational Psychology and a Professional Diploma in School Psychology. Candidates complete 300 hours of field experience during the course of study and 1200 hours of externship, taken as a culminating experience after coursework is complete. The program's mission is to prepare candidates for the challenges of urban schools. Program graduates are eligible for certification as school psychologists in New Jersey and New York and, as graduates of a "NASP Conditionally Approved Program," for national certification as school psychologists (NCSP).

Candidates enter either directly from undergraduate programs in psychology or after completing an appropriate master's degree. Candidates entering with a master's degree transfer appropriate credit in consultation with the graduate office and the program coordinator at the time of matriculation into the program. Thus, the Professional Diploma is offered in two ways

1. for entering graduate students seeking an M.A. in educational psychology and school psychology certification, and
2. for students entering with an appropriate master's degree, seeking school psychology certification. Students with strong undergraduate records in psychology are encouraged to apply directly to the MA in Educational Psychology/Professional Diploma program. Students with an appropriate master's degree and strong record of accomplishment in graduate course work (grade point average of 3.5 on a 4-point scale) are encouraged to apply to the Professional Diploma program. Up to 30 credits of transfer credit may be awarded upon review by the program coordinator and the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education.

MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY, AND SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY CERTIFICATION

PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION

1. Completion of the general graduate studies admission requirements
2. A minimum of nine undergraduate credits in psychology.
3. Students are admitted for entry into the program in January and June of each year. All application materials should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education by November 1 and May 1 to be considered for entry.
4. A letter of intent (500 to 1,000 words) describing the candidate's interest in the field of school psychology, sent to the Office of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education with the student's application, is required.
5. The Graduate Record Examination (Verbal and Quantitative sections) is required; an MAT score is not an option for applicants to this program.
6. An individual interview with the Coordinator of the School Psychology Program should be arranged prior to November 1 or May 1.
7. Two letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate's potential for graduate study are required.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

1. The completed application materials are reviewed by a committee of the graduate faculty two times per year during the months of November and May.
2. Applicants receive notice of the graduate committee's decision by December 31 and May 30.
3. Successful candidates receive a contract of agreement detailing the conditions of their admission to the program. Return of these materials marks their formal entry into the program.

Psychology Department

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Course Descriptions

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Graduate Catalog 2005-2008

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