School Psychology, M.S.
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Program Title
Program Code
Department(s)
College/School
Program Level
Program Description
Students completing the 66-credit General Program will be recommended for provisional certification as a school psychologist to the New York State Education Department. Qualified students may elect to pursue the 72-credit Bilingual School Psychology Extension Program. Successful completion leads to a recommendation for provisional certification as a school psychologist and recommendation for the Bilingual Extension to the certificate. For complete information regarding program requirements, courses, policies and procedures, please contact the Program Director. The School Psychology Student Handbook may be located on the program’s page on the University’s website.
Program Information
Jeffrey J. Cohen, Ph.D., Program Director
914-674-7503
jcohen@mercy.edu
Admission Requirements
Please refer to the general requirements for admission and matriculation in the Admissions section. The School Psychology Student Handbook also provides specific program-related admissions information.
Program Application Requirements
Baccalaureate transcript showing a major in psychology, sociology, behavioral science, or education. In special cases, other majors will be considered. Transcript review of individual course grades will also be conducted.
Interview with the program director and completion of an on-site essay.
Two letters of reference from instructors or appropriate professionals
A current résumé.
Applicants should have completed undergraduate statistics specifically in psychology or the social and behavioral sciences with a grade of B or higher. Undergraduate Psychology majors should also have a grade of at least B in Experimental Psychology.
Expectations of The Graduate
Graduates of the Master of Science in School Psychology Program will be prepared to assume the role of the school psychologist in school and agency settings. Among other competencies, graduates are expected to:
Demonstrate knowledge of major concepts, theories, and historical developments in School Psychology.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills in consultation, assessment, intervention and prevention practices related to the role of school psychologist.
Understand and apply research methods in school psychology including research design, data analysis and interpretation as well as effectively evaluate evidence-based research to develop, recommend and implement effective interventions.
Apply the practice of school psychology consistent with the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists, and consistent with State and Federal Law.
Additional Program Information
Advisement
Students in the School Psychology program must meet with the program director to plan courses and review the plan of study prior to course registration. Students will choose the elective course in discussion with the program director and in consideration of individual interest and relevance to school psychology practice.
Course Load
Students must consult with the program director regarding registration in School Psychology courses. Full-time students may register for up to 12 credits per semester. Part-time students may register for either three or six credits per semester.
Transfer Credits
Graduate courses taken at other institutions prior to admission at Mercy University may, if pertinent to the plan of study, be credited to the graduate degree. Permission to transfer credits must be requested at the time of admission and official transcripts and course descriptions must be submitted before those credits are transferred to Mercy University. Such courses may be used to meet program requirements provided the student requests transfer of credit in writing at the time of the application and the program director approves them as comparable to courses in the required program.
Transfer credit will be granted only for courses taken in the five-year period prior to acceptance in the Mercy University Program and for courses in which the student earned a grade of B or above. Students may request transfer credit for up to six credits. Courses with a grade of B- or lower are not acceptable for transfer.
Maintenance of Matriculation
It is expected that students will fulfill the requirements for their graduate degree by registering over successive sessions. Registration is required during summer session(s). Registration is accomplished by either enrolling in classes or maintaining matriculation. The Maintenance of Matriculation fee is $100 per session and is processed as a registration.
Students who have not maintained matriculation and wish to return to their program within one year after their last course will be charged the Maintenance of Matriculation fee of $100 for each missed session. Maintenance of matriculation without attending classes is limited to one year. Activated U.S. Military Reservists are not required to pay the Maintenance of Matriculation fee.
Capstone Advisement
It is expected that Capstone students shall make satisfactory progress with their program’s culminating activity. After the student registers for all sections of their Capstone requirement, they will be given one subsequent term to complete their work. The Maintaining Matriculation registration must be completed for this subsequent term if no other courses are taken. After this period, a Capstone Continuation fee (equal to the cost of one graduate credit) will be charged for each additional term required to complete the project. Students can only register for Capstone Continuation for two terms.
A student’s degree will not be released until all Maintenance of Matriculation and Capstone Continuation registration and fees are recorded appropriately on a student’s record.
Maintenance of Good Academic Standing
The cumulative GPA for both good academic standing and degree conferral is a 3.0. A student admitted as a Special Matriculant is required to achieve a 3.0 average or better after completing a certain number of credits as stipulated by their respective program. Grades are subject to review by the faculty advisor and program director at the end of each semester. If the academic average for the semester falls below 3.0 the student will be placed on academic probation. If the student fails to achieve a 3.0 GPA in two consecutive semesters, the student will be subject to dismissal from the program.
Academic Probation
All students who have a cumulative GPA of below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. If a student will not be able to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 within a reasonable time, the student will be dismissed from the program. If a student receives a grade of F or FW in any course the student will be subject to dismissal from the University. For all students on probation, future registrations must be reviewed and approved by the Program Director as well as the School Dean.
In all subsequent terms in which the student is on probation the student is required to achieve a term GPA of 3.0 or better. If the 3.0 or higher is not achieved the student will be dismissed. Students who receive a grade of less than B may be required to repeat the course. Students will be allowed to repeat a course only once.
Time Limit
Requirements for the Master of Science in School Psychology must be completed within five years from the date of the candidate’s admission (exclusive of time spent in the Armed Forces). Exceptions will be made only if a student requests in writing an extension of time in advance and receives the approval of the director.
Professional Licensure
If you are interested in obtaining professional licensure, please check with the appropriate licensing body in the state where you intend to practice. For additional information and detailed requirements, please refer to the specific program of interest on the “School Resources” section of the Mercy university NC-Sara webpage.