This intercollege program is based primarily on courses in educational psychology, psychology, and special education. In addition, courses are often drawn from counselor education, human development and family studies, educational theory and policy, educational administration, and curriculum and instruction. The objective is to develop a psychologist capable of providing health care who is interested in and knowledgeable about education and psychology in the school setting. The school psychologist must utilize professional skill and knowledge about children and youth to make contributions that are meaningful to and utilized by teachers, other school personnel, and parents. The development of competencies needed by a fully qualified school psychologist requires at least the education represented by a doctoral degree.
Practicum facilities, in addition to those in nearby public schools, include:
- the Center for Educational Diagnosis and Remediation,
- the School Psychology Clinic,
- the Communication Disorders Clinic,
- the Reading Center, and
- the Psychology Clinic.
Facilities for work with children are also available through other academic units, as well as through assistantship assignments.
The program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association, the National Commission for Accreditation in Teacher Education (NASP), and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.