Mission

The School Psychology Programs at PCOM are committed to a practitioner-scholar model of training whereby students learn to integrate the practice and science of  psychology and education.  The mission of the School Psychology master of science and certification program is to prepare highly skilled, compassionate school psychologists who will provide empirically-based, active, focused, and collaborative assessments and treatments with sensitivity to culturally and individually diverse and underserved children and youth.  The program strives to bring the best of the discipline and practice of school psychology to understanding and enhancing the development of all children.   Since the program emphasis is on the application of psychology in education, skills are derived from a thorough understanding of the substantive content areas of psychology and educational theory and practice.   

The PCOM School Psychology programs are designed to provide prospective school psychologists with a broad range of knowledge and skills necessary for the provision of school psychological services in the schools.  Professional skills are developed across the following domains: data based decision making and accountability; consultation and collaboration;  effective instruction and development of cognitive/academic skills;  socialization and development of life skill; student diversity in development and learning; school and systems organization, policy development, and climate; prevention, crisis intervention, and mental health; home/school/community collaboration; research and program evaluation; school psychology practice and development; and information technology.

Learning Goals

Students completing the PCOM master of science and educational specialist program in school psychology will:

1. Acquire and demonstrate a complete understanding of the psychological foundations of school psychology practice, including the biological, social, affective and cognitive aspects of behavior and an understanding of human development.

2. Be able to function effectively in the educational system through an understanding of the organization and operation of schools, special and exceptional student services, and instructional design/delivery.

3. Acquire the applied content knowledge and skills to provide group and individual interventions that are:

• research based
• effective and facilitative of enhanced learning
• preventive
• direct or indirect

4. Acquire and show proficiency in consultation and intervention to facilitate the functioning of children with concern for cognitive, affective and social development.

5. Be able to differentiate and effectively apply all relevant modalities of diagnosis and assessment of children and youth.

6. Become proficient in academic and behavioral intervention and counseling.

7. Demonstrate mastery of techniques that form partnerships with families, health care providers, and the community concerning specif school related problems of students and the professional concerns of staff.

8. To engage in scholarly activities essential to contributing new knowledge in the field of school psychology by showing an ability to seek, access and accurately interpret research; and the ability to design original research, gather analyze and interpret data and present results.

9. Be able to plan and evaluate a program of school psychological services.

10. Demonstrate a knowledge of the legal, ethical and professional foundations of school psychology  practice, and the obligations of professionalism in school psychology.

11. Communicate effectively with parents/guardians, agencies and the community.