Counseling and School Psychology

The Department of Counseling and School Psychology offers programs leading to the master of science degree and/or a sixth year professional diploma in either Community Counseling, School Counseling or School Psychology. Programs in School Counseling and School Psychology lead to State of Connecticut certification. Once admitted, continued matriculation in any Counseling and School Psychology program is contingent upon positive, on-going faculty evaluation of the graduate student in academic knowledge; practitioner competencies; and professional characteristics such as stability, effectiveness in interpersonal relationships, openness to feedback, the fulfillment of responsibilities in a cooperative and conscientious manner, and the active pursuit of the highest standards of the profession. Students are also required to complete at least twenty hours of approved community service as part of their program requirements for graduation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

• Community Counseling: February 1 for fall semester, October 1 for spring semester
• School Counseling: February 1 for fall semester
• School Psychology: February 1 for fall semester, October 1 for spring semester

COUNSELING PROGRAMS
Both the Community and the School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) which is the accrediting body for the American Counseling Association. Students who complete the master of science in Community or School Counseling are prepared to take the National Certified Counselor’s examination. This examination is required by the National Board for Counselor Certification (NBCC). It is also required by the State of Connecticut for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC).


MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN COUNSELING -
SCHOOL COUNSELING TRACK
The school counselor master’s and certification program (51 credit hours) prepares the student to work as a school counselor at the elementary, secondary, and high school levels. All school counseling students complete practicum and internship experiences. The school counseling program prepares students to deliver comprehensive developmental counseling services in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social development, through a guidance curriculum, individual planning, responsive services and systems support.


MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN COUNSELING -
COMMUNITY COUNSELING TRACK
The licensure track program is designed to meet the requirements for Connecticut State Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The program in community counseling (51 credit hours) prepares students to work in a variety of community counseling agencies, college counseling centers, and hospitals. Students develop skills and theoretical knowledge in doing individual, group and career counseling with diverse populations in either public and private community mental health agencies, or colleges and universities. All community counseling students complete practicum and internship experiences. Students specializing in counseling work in community mental health settings find practicum and internship placements in a variety of settings, including community counseling centers, child guidance centers, crisis stabilization programs, rape crisis and domestic violence programs, substance abuse programs, youth services programs and inpatient and residential treatment programs. Students specializing in counseling in higher education find placements in community colleges as well as public and private college and university counseling and career services centers.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To obtain program information/application packets, applicants should contact the Counseling and School Psychology Department office (203) 392-5910, or write to the Department of Counseling and School Psychology, or it may be downloaded from our website. Applicants must complete all admission material required by the School of Graduate Studies, and the Counseling program.

• Candidates must have a minimum undergraduate quality point ratio of 2.7.

• Candidates must submit a minimum of three recommendations attesting to their professional promise and academic ability.

• Candidates must submit a 500 word essay describing the basis of their interest in the counseling program.

• Candidates must meet with the counseling faculty members for an admissions interview.

• Candidates for School Counseling must submit a resume.

• Candidates for School Counseling must pass the state-mandated skills examination (Praxis I) in mathematics, reading, and writing, or, present a formal Praxis I waiver from the Educational Testing Service by achieving a combined score of 1000 on the SAT with at least a score of 400 on both the verbal and the mathematics sections, respectively, from any test administration prior to March 31, 1995; or, present a combined score of 1100 on the SAT with at least a score of 450 on both the verbal and the mathematics sections, respectively, from any test administration on or after April 1, 1995; or, present a composite score of 24 or more on the American College Testing Program Assessment (ACT), with no less than 22 on the English subtest and no less than 19 on the math subtest from test administrations on or after October 1989. Candidates for community counseling are not required to take the Praxis I examination.

On the graduate school application and in the essay, applicants should indicate whether their focus is community counseling or school counseling. Prior to being admitted to a program, students may take up to 9 credits on a non-matriculated basis. However, taking such courses does not give the applicant an advantage in the application process. Refer to the section entitled “Admission to Teacher Certification Programs” in the beginning of this catalog under “Application and Admission” for additional information regarding acceptance to a certification program and PRAXIS examinations.


APPLICATION DEADLINES
To be considered for admission to the Community Counseling program, all applications must be completed and received by February 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission. To be considered for admission to the School Counseling program, all applications must be completed and received by February 1.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The programs in Community Counseling and School Counseling will be planned according to the following general outline:

Prerequisites:
PSY 100/102 — Introduction to Psychology
PSY 228/526 — Personality
PSY 259/530 — Statistics in Psychology or equivalent
PSY 321/528 — Abnormal Psychology
SED 481 or 482 — Teaching Exceptional Children (required for school counseling students only)

Required core courses for both programs:
CSP 540 — Understanding Individual Psychological Testing
CSP 550 — Counseling Procedures
CSP 552/553 — Counseling Practicum/ Counseling Practicum Seminar
CSP 555 — Interpersonal Group Dynamics
CSP 568 — Counseling and Life Span Development
CSP 569 — Theories of Counseling
CSP 572 — Psychology of Career Development
CSP 578 — Counseling and Assessment of Culturally Diverse Populations
CSP 656 — Group Counseling
CSP 675-676 — Internship I and II in Counseling
CSP 691 — Research and Evaluation in Schools and Community Agencies

Additional School Counseling Course Requirements:
CSP 570 — Principles and Organization of School Counseling Services
CSP 573 — Counseling Students for College and University Education
CSP 605 — Introduction to Family Counseling
CSP 606 — Counseling Procedures with Children

Additional Community Counseling Course Requirements:
CSP 521 — Counseling the Substance Abuser and Other Addicted Populations
CSP 595 — Principles of Organizational Development and Change in Community Counseling
CSP 672 — Student Personnel Services — Organization and Administration (required only for students pursuing counseling in a college setting)
PSY 528 — Psychopathology

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
All students are required to pass the comprehensive examination upon completion of their course work. Examinations are scheduled each semester.


SIXTH YEAR PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COUNSELING
The sixth year advanced graduate studies program in Counseling provides the opportunity for students holding a master’s degree in Counseling to further their counseling competence. Programs can be individually designed. Students may, for example, pursue School Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor certification as part of the sixth year program. At least 30 credit hours beyond the master’s is required for the sixth year. Admission materials for the sixth year can be obtained by calling (203) 392-5910.


SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMS
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
School psychologists are employed in educational settings. They use their psychological knowledge, insight, and skills to promote human welfare and educational success, and to improve the institutions and programs in which they are involved. Preparation includes training in educational and psychodiagnostic evaluations, written and oral communication of results, developing individual educational interventions, making recommendations for remedial action, participation in special education and research programs, consultation, counseling, and other related activities. The School Psychology program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES
Applicants should contact the Counseling and School Psychology Department office (203) 392-5910 or write to the Department to obtain program application material. Applicants must complete all admission material required by the School of Graduate Studies, and the School Psychology program. All general state and university teacher education admission and certification requirements described earlier in this catalog also pertain to the school psychology program.

Admission to the program is based upon the following criteria:

• Candidates must have a minimum undergraduate quality point ratio of 2.7.

• A minimum of 15 credits in psychology, including coursework in the following areas: developmental psychology, theories of personality, statistics, abnormal child psychology or psychopathology, learning theory or educational psychology

• Candidates must pass the state-mandated skills examination (Praxis I) in mathematics, reading, and writing, or, present a formal Praxis I waiver from the Educational Testing Service by obtaining a combined score of 1000 on the SAT with at least a score of 400 on both the verbal and the mathematics sections respectively from any test administration prior to March 31, 1995; or, present a combined score of 1100 on the SAT with at least a score of 450 on both the verbal and the mathematics sections respectively from any test administration on or after April 1, 1995; or, present a composite score of 24 or more on the American College Testing Program Assessment (ACT), with no less than 22 on the English subtest and no less than 19 on the math subtest from test administrations on or after October 1989;

• Candidates must have completed the state-mandated special education course requirement (SED 481 or SED 482 — Teaching Exceptional Children ).

• Evidence of a strong desire to enter the profession

• Evidence of superior interpersonal skills (relationships and communication)

• Strong recommendations from at least three individuals who know the candidate in a professional setting

• Evidence of superior writing skills

Those who do not have sufficient background in psychology may need to take additional courses before being accepted into the program. To be considered for fall admission, applications must be completed and received by February 1 for fall semester admission or October 1 for spring semester admission.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The school psychology program consists of courses in educational and psychological foundations, assessment, consultation, individual and group counseling, intervention techniques, professional and ethical issues in mental health services, research techniques, and appropriate practicum and internship. Students obtain the master’s degree after completion of 37 credits and the comprehensive examination. Students may select from either a part-time or full-time sequence of study.

The master’s program includes:
PSY 583 — Seminar in Comparative Physiological Psychology or
CSP 532 — Physical Bases of Behavior and Personality
CSP 533 — Individual Assessment I and lab
CSP 540 — Understanding Psychological Testing and Evaluation
CSP 550 — Counseling Procedures
CSP 555 — Group Dynamics
CSP 569 — Theories of Counseling
CSP 641 — Professional Issues in School Psychology
CSP 670 — Psychology in the Schools
CSP 568 — Counseling and Life Span Development or
PSY 512 — Theories and Issues in Developmental Psychology
CSP 691 — Research and Evaluation in School and Community Agencies or
RSM 594 — Methods of Research in the Behavioral Sciences
PSY 527 — Abnormal Child Psychology or PSY 528 — Psychopathology
PSY 557 — Behavior Modification and Therapy

Comprehensive Examination
Students are required to pass the comprehensive examination.


SIXTH YEAR PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
The NASP accredited sixth year professional diploma program in school psychology provides advanced professional study and training in school psychological services and leads to certification as a school psychologist in the State of Connecticut. The program develops competence in psychological skills to enable its graduates to observe and evaluate human behavior, facilitate behavioral change, and assume consultative roles with teachers, administrators, other school personnel, and parents, in the areas of child development, special education, mental health, curriculum development, and educational research. Students who complete the sixth year degree are prepared to take the Nationally Certified School Psychologist examination, which is used in many states for certification status. In addition to general admission requirements, an applicant to the sixth year professional program for school psychology is required to have completed and demonstrated superior achievement in a master’s degree program in school psychology or equivalent. Practitioners with doctoral degrees seeking re-specialization in school psychology will be asked to submit performance-based proof of competencies to waive any program requirements.

One year of full-time continuous study is required. The sixth year program consists of:
CSP 534 — Individual Assessment II and lab
CSP 535 — Individual Assessment III and lab
CSP 578 — Counseling and Assessment of Culturally Diverse Populations
CSP 606 — Counseling Procedures with Children
CSP 631 — Introduction to Projective Techniques
CSP 638 — School Psychology Intervention Techniques
CSP 674 — Consultation in Schools


Certification courses:

CSP 537 — Practicum in School Psychological Services
(A supervised, 400 hour, school-based experience, and a university seminar; practicum is distinct from and must occur prior to internship.)

CSP 652 — Internship Seminar
(Internship consists of no less than 1200 hours of supervised school-based experience, and a university seminar. Internship may be completed full-time in one year or part-time over two years.)

Elective(s) — with adviser’s approval

C O O R D I N A T O R S:
Dr. Uchenna Nwachuku – Community Counseling
Ms. Patricia DeBarbieri – School Counseling
Dr. Joy Fopiano – School Psychology