Curriculum

Curriculum Map

The MA/CAGS level of the Program consists of coursework and related field work through which the candidate earns 66 semester credits over 3 years of full time study. This provides the candidate with the essential skills, knowledge, and credentials to function as a licensed psychologist in school- and education-related roles.

The PsyD phase of the program consists of advanced coursework that enables candidates to broaden their scope of practice, enhance their effectiveness in leadership and supervisory roles, and deliver specialized services that schools do not routinely offer. This brings the total coursework requirement to 120 credits. Upon subsequent completion of a supervised post-graduation professional experience, a Program graduate may qualify for licensure as a psychologist.

Required Core Courses: MA/CAGS Level

SCH CP501 - Orientation to the Profession and its Practice (credits: 0)
SCH IA520 - Instructional Assessment and Intervention (credits: 3) 1
SCH RS526 - Statistics (credits: 3) 1 2
SCH LS659 - Lifespan Development (credits: 3) 2
SCH SN512 - Educating Children and Adolescents with Special Needs (credits: 3)
SCH FP501 - Practicum I: School Environment and Educational Assessment (credits: 2)
SCH PA500 - Psychoeducational Assessment (credits: 3)
SCH BC521 - Behavioral Assessment, Intervention, and Consultation (credits: 3) 1
SCH PY521 - Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence (credits: 3) 2
SCH RS555 - Research and Evaluation Methods (credits: 3) 1
SCH FP502 - Practicum II: Pscyhoeducational Assessment and Intervention (credits: 3)
SCH CC522 - Diversity and Cross Cultural Psychology (credits: 3) 2
SCH PH501 - Preventive Mental Health in the Schools (credits: 2)
SCH PA600 - Social-Emotional Assessment (credits: 3)
SCH CX610 - Counseling and Psychotherapy in Schools (credits: 3)
SCH GR611 - Group Process and Group Therapy (credits: 3) 1
SCH FP601 - Practicum III: Clinical Practice (credits: 2)
SCH PS630 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in School Psychology (credits: 3) 2
SCH BL622 - Biological Basis of Behavior and Learning (credits: 3) 2
SCH CO650 - Consultation In Schools (credits: 3) 1
SCH FP602 - Practicum IV: Clinical Practice (credits: 2)
SCH FP701 - Internship A (credits: 2)
SCH CS701 - Internship Seminar A (credits: 3)
SCH FP702 - Internship B (credits: 2)
SCH CS702 - Internship Seminar B (credits: 3)

Required Core Courses: PsyD Level

Psychological Foundations (all required except RS626)
SCH CA601 - Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior (credits: 3) 2
SCH PS600 - History and Systems (credits: 2) 2
SCH PS603 - Social Bases of Behavior (credits: 3) 2
SCH RS626 - Statistics in School Psychology (credits: 2) 3

System Interventions and Indirect Services (all required)
SCH CO780 - Advanced Consultation in Schools (credits: 3)
SCH SU820 - Supervision and Administration of School Psychological Services (credits: 2) 4

Psychoeducational Theory and Practice (all required)
SCH IA772 - Learning Disabilities: Research to Practice (credits: 2)
SCH IA777 - Autism Spectrum Disorders (credits: 2)

Assessment (all required)
SCH PA760 - Bilingual and Culturally Competent Assessment (credits: 2)
SCH PA700 - Advanced Psychoeducational Assessment (credits: 2)
SCH PA725 - Advanced Social-Emotional Assessment: Children and Adolescents (credits: 2)
SCH PA735 - Rorschach Essentials (credits: 3)

Clinical Interventions (all required)
SCH BX710 - Advanced Behavioral Techniques with Children and Families (credits: 3)
SCH CL521 - Clinical Interviewing with Children and Families (credits: 2)
SCH FX630 - Collaborative Therapy with Multi-Stressed Families (credits: 2)

PsyD Level Practica (all required)
SCH FP721 - Practicum in Advanced Assessment I (credits: 2)
SCH FP722 - Practicum in Advanced Assessment (credits: 2)
SCH FP725 - Doctoral Practicum in Clinical Services (credits: 3)
SCH FP726 - Doctoral Practicum in Clinical Services II (credits: 3)

Doctoral Project (7 credits)
SCH PR828 - Doctoral Project I: Advanced Research Methods (credits: 3)
SCH PR829 - Doctoral Project II: Project Design and Development (credits: 2)
SCH PR926 - Doctoral Project III: Individual Mentorship (credits: 2)
SCH PR927 - Doctoral Project III: Individual Mentorship 2 (credits: 0)
SCH PR950 - Continuing Doctoral Project (credits: 0) tuition only, at 3 credit rate
SCH PR951 - Continuing Doctoral Project (credits: 0) tuition only, at 3 credit rate 5

Doctoral Internship (4 credits)
SCH FP801 - Internship (credits: 2)
SCH FP802 - Internship (credits: 2)
SCH FP803 - Internship (credits: 2) 2nd year, if applicable
SCH FP803 - Internship (credits: 2) 2nd year, if applicable

Additional Elective Courses

Students entering at the advanced standing level who require additional elective credits should contact the Program Director for more information.

Footnotes:

[1] Either a 2 credit or a 3 credit course may qualify for advanced standing credit, as described above
[2] Required coursework for psychology licensure
[3] Advanced standing students with prior coursework in measurement may take RS626 in place of RS526
[4] An optional field experience (FP831) is associated with this course.
[5] PR951, unlike PR950, does not have a 20 hour/week contractual requirement. Registration for PR951 alone does not qualify for half-time enrollment and continued eligibility for Federal Title IV financial aid.

Additional Program Requirements

  1. Assessment and Planning Conference. All students participate in an individualized Assessment and Planning (A&P) Conference at the conclusion of each year in the program. A&P Conferences serve two essential functions: (1) overall assessment of a student's performance in all areas of the program and (2) individualized degree planning. A&P Conferences establish and assure clear academic and professional standards, while identifying and assessing a student’s unique background, interests, learning goals, and professional aspirations.
  2. Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) or Equivalent. A passing score on the Communications and Literacy Skills test of the MTEL is a program requirement, as it is required for licensure as an educator in Massachusetts. Students admitted to PsyD level with advanced standing must meet the MTEL requirement or the equivalent literacy test for educator licensure for the state in which the student resides.
  3. Praxis School Psychologist Exam. Students must obtain a passing score on the Educational Testing Services’ School Psychologist Praxis exam to demonstrate foundational knowledge of comprehensive and integrated school psychological services. Students typically take this exam near the end of year two of the MA/CAGS level. They may take the exam again to attain a passing score, but must do so to qualify for transition to the PsyD level of the Program. Students admitted with advanced standing should take the Praxis exam soon after they matriculate if they have not already met this program requirement. A passing score on the Praxis is a requirement to obtain certification as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and is also a requirement for Massachusetts licensure as a school psychologist at the professional level. Students are strongly encouraged to apply for the NCSP credential upon completion of the MA/CAGS level of the Program, when they are first eligible to do so.
  4. Measurement Competency Examination. Students in the first year of PsyD-level coursework take a measurement competency examination to ensure they have the essential foundational skills for psychological assessment and other professional. Students must obtain a passing score of 80% correct.

Course Schedule and Format

At the MA/CAGS level of the program, students are in classes and field placements during daytime and evening hours, Monday through Friday during Fall and Spring semesters. In the summer after Year 1 only, students attend summer session classes from mid-May to early July.

During the school year, core courses are scheduled during the late afternoon and evening, with most courses offered on Mondays and Thursdays. Occasionally, a class meets on another weeknight, or on a weekend.

For Summer Session 2 courses, a typical schedule for a 2-credit course is two weeks of half-day classes and a typical schedule for a 3-credit course is three weeks of half day classes. Orientation to the PsyD level of the program occurs in late June.

Students who enter the Program at the MA/CAGS level should expect to complete the PsyD level of the Program in 3 years, completing the doctoral internship in the final year. Students who enter the Program as an advanced standing student at the PsyD level should expect to complete the PsyD level of the Program in 4 years, completing the doctoral internship in the final year. The Program affords some flexibility in the pace at which the PsyD level is completed. Completing the doctoral internship over a two-year period will typically add an additional year to Program completion time.