Completion of the degree requirements satisfies the academic portion of the New York State Education Department requirements for the school psychology certification. Graduates also fulfill the academic requirements for National Certification as a school psychologist. The School Psychology Program is designed to develop professional psychologists who possess the personal characteristics and professional competencies necessary for serving the mental health and educational needs of adolescents, adults, and families. Because of the applied nature of the program and the close interpersonal relationships which the profession of school psychology demands, students applying for admission must demonstrate a high level of maturity, independence, and flexibility. The program of study emphasizes a base of training in school psychology with special concern for the application of psychological knowledge in schools and other child and family oriented settings.
Students participate in supervised fieldwork experiences and practica from the first semester on.
Students gain experience in local public schools as well as in the on-campus Child and Family Services Center. The culminating experience consists of a full-time, supervised yearlong internship in a public school system in New York State. Program Duration Students must complete seventy credit hours of graduate study at Alfred University. Satisfactory performance and development during the first two semesters as well as success on a qualifying examination are required for admission to the third semester of the program.