Overview
Flexibility and a Practical Emphasis Prepare Students for Professional Development with the M.A. in Psychology
The Pace University M.A. in Psychology includes an array of available coursework, with a portion dedicated to required courses. Students are also free to select a large portion of their coursework, thus offering a great deal of flexibility and a program of study that is tailored to the student's individual interests within the field of psychology. The result is a course of study that meets the needs and interests of the student as well as the requirements for attaining an advanced degree in the field of psychology.
The program seeks to fill a gap between the training and the changing professional preparation in human service organizations. Courses are offered in areas such as advanced research, multicultural issues, developmental disabilities, program evaluation, and community mental health and allow for the academic development of students who wish to further their professional careers.
Training Students for Careers in Psychology within an Educational Context
The M.S.Ed. in School Psychology and the M.S.Ed. in Bilingual School Psychology train students to provide psychoeducational services in the school setting and generally provide a balance of basic science and foundation psychology courses. Students receive training in both classroom and field settings and complete a school psychology internship prior to graduation.
This emphasis on the practical application of theoretical and clinical training prepares students for their professional careers while instilling in them the core principles of theoretical psychology.
In order to bring even greater flexibility to students, both M.S.Ed. programs offer students the option of pursuing their degrees on either a part-time or full-time basis, making the programs feasible for those with career obligations and allowing for simultaneous academic and professional development.
An In-depth Doctoral Program Prepares Students through Theoretical and Real-World Learning
The Psy.D. in School-Clinical Child Psychology program prepares students to pursue careers as psychologists in educational institutions. Graduates are prepared for careers in which they are called upon to draw on their knowledge and training to consult with teachers, school administrators, parents, and social service agencies on matters affecting children's learning and development. The program prepares professionals to plan, develop, and evaluate research and testing programs and to offer assessment, consultation, and intervention services for youths within the context of schools and community agencies.
Students completing the Psy.D. program gain a firm foundation in psychology and also take courses in areas such as assessment, consultation, psychotherapy, and intervention techniques. The doctoral program is fully accredited as a school/clinical combined program by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
In addition to a required internship, students complete a doctoral project and three years of practicum experience in Pace University's Thomas J. McShane Center for Psychological Services, where they receive training in areas such as applied research, assessment, biofeedback, consultation, counseling and therapy, parent-infant interaction, and program development and evaluation.
Instilled in students during their coursework is a thorough understanding of the history and concepts of psychology, with a particular focus on both typical and atypical development and functioning of youth. The program culminates in a full-time doctoral internship.
Academic Excellence is Rewarded in the Pace University Department of Psychology
Graduate students who excel in their studies within the graduate programs of the Pace University Department of Psychology are eligible for a number of awards that seek to recognize and reward excellence.
An award for each of the three primary programs -- the Doctor of Psychology in School-Clinical Child Psychology, Master of Science in Education in School Psychology or in Bilingual School Psychology, and the Master of Arts in Psychology -- recognizes that student within each program who has excelled beyond his or her peers.
Other awards are also granted, including an award for excellence in the practice of school psychology, an award for distinguished professional practice by a graduate student, an award for outstanding behavioral science research projects, and an award for outstanding contribution to the Department of Psychology.
All students are considered for awards, including those in both the master's degree and doctoral degree programs. Each year, awards are granted to graduate students by the Psychology Department Student Affairs Committee.
