Jeffrey J. Cohen, Ph.D., Program Director
914-674-7503
jcohen@mercy.edu

Purpose

The Master of Science Degree Program in School Psychology prepares matriculated students to become school psychologists capable of serving the needs of children in today’s diverse schools and agencies. The program is only offered in person at the Dobbs Ferry campus, and is registered by the New York State Education Department, and is fully approved as a nationally recognized program by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). 

Students completing the 66-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 72-credit Bilingual School Psychology Extension Program. Successful completion leads to a recommendation for provisional certification as a school psychologist and recommendation for the Bilingual Extension to the certificate. For complete information regarding program requirements, courses, policies and procedures, please contact the Program Director. The School Psychology Student Handbook may be located on the program’s page on the University’s website.

Expectations of The Graduate

Graduates of the Master of Science in School Psychology Program will be prepared to assume the role of the school psychologist in school and agency settings. Among other competencies, graduates are expected to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of major concepts, theories, and historical developments in School Psychology.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in consultation, assessment, intervention and prevention practices related to the role of school psychologist.
• Understand and apply research methods in school psychology including research design, data analysis and interpretation as well as effectively evaluate evidence-based research to develop, recommend and implement effective interventions.
• Apply the practice of school psychology consistent with the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists, and consistent with State and Federal Law.

Admission Requirements

Please refer to the general requirements for admission and matriculation in the Admissions  section. The School Psychology Student Handbook also provides specific program related admissions information.

Program Application Requirements

1. Baccalaureate transcript showing a major in psychology, sociology, behavioral science, or education. In special cases, other majors will be considered. Transcript review of individual course grades will also be conducted.
2. Interview with the program director and completion of an on-site essay.
3. Two letters of reference from instructors or appropriate professionals
4. A current résumé.

Applicants should have completed undergraduate statistics specifically in psychology or the social and behavioral sciences with a grade of B or higher. Undergraduate Psychology majors should also have a grade of at least B in Experimental Psychology.

Advisement

Students in the School Psychology program must meet with the program director to plan courses and review the plan of study prior to course registration. Students will choose the elective course in discussion with the program director and in consideration of individual interest and relevance to school psychology practice.

Course Load

Students must consult with the program director regarding registration in School Psychology courses. Full-time students may register for up to 12 credits per semester. Part-time students may register for either three or six credits per semester.

Transfer Credits

Graduate courses taken at other institutions prior to admission at Mercy University may, if pertinent to the plan of study, be credited to the graduate degree. Permission to transfer credits must be requested at the time of admission and official transcripts and course descriptions must be submitted before those credits are transferred to Mercy University. Such courses may be used to meet program requirements provided the student requests transfer of credit in writing at the time of the application and the program director approves them as comparable to courses in the required program.

Transfer credit will be granted only for courses taken in the five-year period prior to acceptance in the Mercy University Program and for courses in which the student earned a grade of B or above. Students may request transfer credit for up to six credits. Courses with a grade of B- or lower are not acceptable for transfer.

Maintenance of Matriculation

It is expected that students will fulfill the requirements for their graduate degree by registering over successive sessions. Registration is required during summer session(s). Registration is accomplished by either enrolling in classes or maintaining matriculation. The Maintenance of Matriculation fee is $100 per session and is processed as a registration.

Students who have not maintained matriculation and wish to return to their program within one year after their last course will be charged the Maintenance of Matriculation fee of $100 for each missed session. Maintenance of matriculation without attending classes is limited to one year. Activated U.S. Military Reservists are not required to pay the Maintenance of Matriculation fee.

Capstone Advisement

It is expected that Capstone students shall make satisfactory progress with their program’s culminating activity. After the student registers for all sections of their Capstone requirement, they will be given one subsequent term to complete their work. The Maintaining Matriculation registration must be completed for this subsequent term if no other courses are taken. After this period, a Capstone Continuation fee (equal to the cost of one graduate credit) will be charged for each additional term required to complete the project. Students can only register for Capstone Continuation for two terms.

A student’s degree will not be released until all Maintenance of Matriculation and Capstone Continuation registration and fees are recorded appropriately on a student’s record.

Maintenance of Good Academic Standing

The cumulative GPA for both good academic standing and degree conferral is a 3.0. A student admitted as a Special Matriculant is required to achieve a 3.0 average or better after completing a certain number of credits as stipulated by their respective program. Grades are subject to review by the faculty advisor and program director at the end of each semester. If the academic average for the semester falls below 3.0 the student will be placed on academic probation. If the student fails to achieve a 3.0 GPA in two consecutive semesters, the student will be subject to dismissal from the program.

Academic Probation

All students who have a cumulative GPA of below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. If a student will not be able to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 within a reasonable time, the student will be dismissed from the program. If a student receives a grade of F or FW in any course the student will be subject to dismissal from the University. For all students on probation, future registrations must be reviewed and approved by the Program Director as well as the School Dean.

In all subsequent terms in which the student is on probation the student is required to achieve a term GPA of 3.0 or better. If the 3.0 or higher is not achieved the student will be dismissed. Students who receive a grade of less than B may be required to repeat the course. Students will be allowed to repeat a course only once.

Degree Requirements

1. Successful completion of at least 66 graduate credits, which includes course work, fieldwork, internship, and required projects and assessments. The Bilingual Extension requires 6 additional credits for a total of 72 credits.
2. A 3.0 cumulative GPA.
3. For students seeking the Bilingual Extension only, satisfactory completion of EDUC 508 Theory and Practice in Bilingual Education  and SCPY 724 - Assng the Bilingual Child .
4. Prior to graduation, taking the PRAXIS II examination in School Psychology, created and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Scores must be reported to the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Graduate Office. Information about the test and registration can be found at www.ets.org/praxis or at 1-800 772-9476. Additional information is available at www.nasponline.org.
5. Demonstrating through professional behavior in class and in field-based experiences, a commitment to school psychology ethical and legal codes of conduct, which include APA and NASP ethical standards. Students are also expected to adhere to the Mercy University policy on Academic Integrity found in the Graduate Catalog
6. Completion of three New York State mandated workshops: The Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment; School Violence Prevention and Intervention; DASA workshop on Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Discrimination in Schools.

Time Limit

Requirements for the Master of Science in School Psychology must be completed within five years from the date of the candidate’s admission (exclusive of time spent in the Armed Forces). Exceptions will be made only if a student requests in writing an extension of time in advance and receives the approval of the director.

Curriculum

The 66–72 credit Master of Science Degree Program in School Psychology is organized as follows:

Psychological Foundation	21 credits
Assessment Courses	15 credits
Intervention Courses	15 credits
Professional School Psychology	15 credits
(Bilingual Extension Courses)	(6 credits)
Total	66 (or 72) credits

Completion of all courses and the Fieldwork experience is required prior to registration for SCPY 771 - Intrnshp in Schl Psych  .

Application Deadlines for Fieldwork/Intern Placement

Fieldwork in School Psychology and Internship in School Psychology must be applied for the semester prior to course registration. Recommended deadlines are October 15 and February 15 for Spring and Fall semesters respectively. Courses in the Assessment sequence (SCPY 705  , SCPY 718 , SCPY 719 , SCPY 720 , SCPY 721 ) as well as SCPY 704  require a minimum grade of B in order to continue the sequence. Courses in the Assessment sequence in which the grade achieved is below B may need to be repeated before advancing to the next course in the sequence. . A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required to register for either Fieldwork or Internship. Please consult the School Psychology Student Handbook for information about course sequencing and prerequisites.