Counseling & School Psychology

Counseling Program 

Overview of the M.S.Ed. Program

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 of the M.S.Ed. Program

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. 

Goals and Objectives of the M.S.Ed. Program 

• Goal A: To prepare counseling students in the acquisition of a comprehensive and scholarly knowledge base relevant to the profession of counseling.
  • Objective A1: Students will demonstrate knowledge in each of the eight core curricular areas:
    • Professional Orientation/Ethics # Social/Cultural Diversity
    • Human Development
    • Career Development
    • Helping Relationships
    • Group Work
    • Assessment
    • Research/Program Evaluation
• Goal B: To prepare counseling students in the acquisition of professional knowledge, clinical skills and abilities in the areas of individual, group, and family interventions.
  • Objective B1: Mental health counseling students will demonstrate professional knowledge, skills, and practices necessary to address a wide variety of circumstances within the clinical mental health counseling context.
  • Objective B2: School counseling students will demonstrate professional knowledge, skills, and practices necessary to promote the academic, career, and personal/social development of all K-12 students.
• Goal C: To prepare counseling students to become competent, self-aware, and socially conscious in order to work in a variety of settings serving a diverse population.
  • Objective C1: Students will engage in personal and professional growth experiences that will allow them to assess their academic progress, personal and professional development skills, self-understanding, interpersonal effectiveness, and commitment and readiness to enter the counseling field.

School Psychology Program 

MA/CAS Program 

Overview of the MA/CAS Program

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 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.

Mission of the MA/CAS Program

Preparation of school psychologists for applied professional practice in schools and related child and family settings.

Goals and Objectives of the MA/CAS Program

• Goal A: To produce school psychologists with the personal qualities, interpersonal skills and awareness, and the ethical sensitivity predictive of success in a broad array of social, economic, and political contexts.
  • Objective A1: Students will develop an understanding of service delivery programs within a context respectful and appreciative of individual, family, and cultural diversity.
  • Objective A2: Students will develop an awareness that their personal characteristics and interpersonal skills affect the quality, social validity, and acceptability of the services they provide.
  • Objective A3: Students will abide by ethical standards as they relate to the historical foundations of the school psychology profession and the current guidelines for practice.
• Goal B: To produce school psychologists competent to access a broad range of theoretical and practical approaches with sufficient depth to be effective, flexible practitioners.
  • Objective B1: Students will develop proficiency in databased decision-making, including traditional and alternative approaches to the assessment and evaluation of children’s academic, behavioral and emotional problems.
  • Objective B2: Students will develop proficiency in the design and development of programs to intervene both directly and indirectly with children’s academic, behavioral, and emotional problems. These programs will include academic strategies, behavior modification, crisis intervention, and counseling techniques that are implemented in a timely manner.
• Goal C: To produce school psychologists who have an understanding of the basic principles of human cognitive and emotional development and their relationship to the functioning of children within a school setting.
  • Objective C1: Students will develop an understanding of the development of both normal and exceptional children.
  • Objective C2: Students will gain knowledge of general and special education services and legal guidelines, as part of understanding the educational and SOCI- political climate of their school districts.
  • Objective C3: Students will develop skills in consulting and communicating with school professionals and parents.
  • Objective C4: Students will develop skills in the prevention and remediation of academic and emotional problems in children.
• Goal D: To produce school psychologists competent in the comprehension and application of research to professional practice.
  • Objective D1: Students will acquire a foundation in the scientific knowledge base of psychology and education, as well as an ability to evaluate and utilize research in their practice.
  • Objective D2: Students will develop proficiency in ongoing program evaluation, so they make informed decisions based upon objective data in developing services for children.
  • Objective D3: Students will develop a knowledge base which includes the updated and appropriate use of information technology in their practice.

Psy.D Program 

Overview of the Psy.D Program 

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 of the Psy.D. Program

Preparation of psychologists for applied professional practice in schools and other child and family oriented settings.

Goals and Objectives of the Psy.D. Program

• Goal A: To produce professional psychologists with the personal qualities, interpersonal skills and awareness, and the ethical sensitivity predictive of success in a broad array of social, economic, and political contexts.
  • Objective A1: Students will develop an understanding of service delivery programs within a context respectful and appreciative of individual and cultural diversity.
  • Objective A2: Students will demonstrate the personal characteristics and interpersonal skills that affect the quality, social validity, and acceptability of the services they provide.
• Goal B: To produce professional psychologists competent to access a broad range of theoretical and practical approaches with sufficient depth to be effective, flexible practitioners.
  • Objective B1: Students will develop proficiency in traditional and emerging approaches to the assessment and evaluation of children’s academic, behavioral, and emotional problems.
  • Objective B2: Students will develop proficiency in the design and development of programs to intervene both directly and indirectly with children’s academic, behavioral, and emotional problems.
• Goal C: To produce professional psychologists competent in the conduct, comprehension, and application of research to professional practice.
  • Objective C1: Students will acquire a foundation in the scientific knowledge base of psychology and education.
  • Objective C2: Students will develop proficiency in the conduct, dissemination, and application of research related to professional practice.