School Information and Requirements

School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling

The Graduate Program in Counseling is designed to train knowledgeable and skilled counselors who are able to serve a culturally diverse society through professional employment in school, agency, and higher education settings. The program is committed to the personal and professional development of each student in the context of a sound theoretical background. One-on-one interaction between faculty members and students encourages the personal learning that is vital to the education of counselors. Students gain a strong knowledge base and they also develop personal maturity and strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Mission Statement: Alfred University’s graduate program in counseling prepares individuals for counseling positions in elementary, middle and high schools, mental health agencies, and colleges and universities. Students acquire core knowledge and clinical skills that enable them to enter the profession of counseling. We (the faculty) strive to create a rigorous scholarly and supportive atmosphere for students to develop intellectually with a deep sense of social consciousness and self-awareness. We value teaching, scholarship, and service, which contribute to the mission of Alfred University.

School Psychology - Master of Arts/Certificate of Advanced Study (MA/CAS)

School of Graduate and Continuing Studies offers a National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approved program of graduate study in School Psychology consisting of two years of full-time graduate study followed by a full year internship. The 100 Master’s degree is conferred following completion of 63 credit hours of coursework, and the Certificate of Advanced Study is awarded upon completion of the 18 credits of full-time internship. These degree requirements satisfy the academic portion of the New York State Education Department requirements for the provisional certificate as a school psychologist.

Graduates also fulfill the academic requirements for National Certification as a School Psychologist (NCSP), an additional credential offered by the National Association of School Psychologists. All students are required to take and pass the School Psychology examination offered by the Educational Testing Service/ Praxis Exam Series prior to completion of the internship.

The School Psychology Program is designed to develop professional psychologists who possess the personal characteristics and academic competencies necessary for serving the mental health and educational needs of all children and youth. Because of the applied nature of the program and the close interpersonal relationships that the profession of school psychology demands, students applying for admission must demonstrate a high level of maturity, independence, and flexibility.

Missions Statement: Mission of the MA/CAS Program Preparation of school psychologists for applied professional practice in schools and related child and family settings.

School Psychology - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The Psy.D. Program in School Psychology is designed to prepare psychologists who will practice advanced skills in the schools and related child and family settings and to prepare graduates to meet professional employment demands for:

1. Psychologists in applied research
2. Supervising psychologists
3. Psychologists in child and family treatment agencies, hospitals, and private practice
4. Professionals in higher education involved in the training of educators and clinicians

The program leads to New York State license eligibility as a psychologist as well as state and national certification as a school psychologist, an additional credential offered by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Doctoral training focuses on applied research skills, advanced studies, and expanded areas of expertise. Graduates will possess the flexibility to assume a variety of roles and have the necessary skills to aid in the continuous development through research and practice of more effective educational and psychological practices. They acquire a broad knowledge base in psychological and educational theory, research and practice. They develop competencies in basic skill areas, advanced assessment, direct and indirect intervention including counseling and consultation with individuals, groups and systems, applied research, and supervision of others providing psychological services to children and families, particularly within a rural context.

Doctoral candidates are also encouraged to develop a specific area of expertise through a concentration of coursework, field experience and research. This focus on a strong professionally-oriented program logically leads to the Psy.D. versus the Ph.D. degree and is in concert with the view put forth in the final report of the Psychology Committee of the Doctoral Evaluation Project of the New York State Education Department.

Mission Statement: Mission of the Psy.D. Program Preparation of psychologists for applied professional practice in schools and other child and family oriented settings.