Program:

The Master of Science in School Psychology provides a degree leading to provisional certification as a school psychologist. Mercy College offers three degree options in General School Psychology, Specialization in Early Childhood, and Bilingual Extension. All three options lead to the MS in School Psychology.

This degree is an excellent choice for students who are interested in working with and helping children succeed. A benefit of this degree is that it provides the necessary prerequisite training for a highly professional and specialized career. As the classroom environment continues to become more complex, the need for school psychologists will also increase.

The Master of Science Degree program in School Psychology will prepare matriculated students to become school psychologists capable of serving the needs of children in today's diverse schools and agencies. Students completing the 60 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 66 credit Bilingual School Psychology program. Successful completion leads to recommendation for provisional certification as a school psychologist and recommendation for the Bilingual Extension to the certificate. Students may also elect to complete the 66 credit School Psychology program with a specialization in Early Childhood.

All three options prepare the successful graduate to assume the role of the school psychologist in school and agency settings.

*Provisional Certification in New York State can be transferred to Permanent Certification after two years of employment as a School Psychologist.
**Many of our alumni work in different states. Each candidate will be required to contact the state board for reciprocity, or other info needed to transfer a certification to another state. Most states do offer either reciprocity with NY or will provide information necessary on what needs to be completed for a certification in their state.

Download a PDF version of our Program Brochure

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Program Contacts:

	Michael Grunes, PhD Program Director mgrunes@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7503
	Mary Ellen Hoffman, MS Director, Graduate Education Programs mehoffman@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7334
	Diana D'Amico Juettner, JD Co-Chair, Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences djuettner@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7546
	Hind Culhane, EdD Co-Chair, Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences hculhane@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7376

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Career Opportunities:

School psychologists work in elementary, secondary schools, or regionally in school district offices to resolve student learning and behavioral problems. They collaborate with teachers, parents, and school personnel to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, improve classroom management strategies, parenting skills, and counter substance abuse. School psychologists also work with students who have disabilities or gifted and talented students, as well as work with teachers to improve teaching and learning strategies.

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Curriculum:

The School Psychology curriculum enables students at Mercy College to study intervention courses, behavior management, special needs counseling in a multicultural school setting, and group counseling in a multicultural school setting.

For the complete course curriculum click here.

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Campuses where program is offered:

Dobbs Ferry

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What does a School Psychologist do?
"School psychologists work with students in elementary and secondary schools. They collaborate with teachers, parents, and school personnel to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students; address students' learning and behavior problems; improve classroom management strategies or parenting skills; counter substance abuse; assess students with learning disabilities and gifted and talented students to help determine the best way to educate them; and improve teaching, learning, and socialization strategies. They also may evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, prevention programs, behavior management procedures, and other services provided in the school setting." (Occupational Outlook Handbook 2006-2007)

For more information on the occupation of school psychologist visit www.nasponline.org.

What is the job market for school psychologists?
"The outlook is very promising for school psychology nationwide as we are facing a personnel shortage, as is most of special education. Many people hired in the mid '70s are retiring and our training programs are not graduating enough people to fill all those positions! There will be variability from one area to another, of course, and some states are undergoing some budget problems that might eliminate a few positions for a while, but many opportunities will be open within the next few years. In fact, School Psychology was recently named one of the top ten "hot professions" for 2002 by US News and World Report!" (www.nasponline.org)

What can I expect as a starting salary?
Of course this cannot be predicted to a certainty and it will vary from town, cities, and states, but as an example the NYC Department of Education lists the starting salary (first year) for a school psychologist with a Master's degree at $54,953 for the 06-07 School Year***. The contract for the position of school psychologist in the NYC school system and most other districts is based on a ten month school year with July and August off.

(***Psychologist and Social Workers Salary Schedule)

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