This program is intended for those persons who have completed a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, pastoral counseling or an allied field, and who wish to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy. All students must complete a minimum of 39 credits at Seton Hall University. If students lack any prerequisite, they may be required to complete additional credits beyond the 39 credit minimum. Prerequisite courses are Abnormal Psychology and Couple and Family Dynamics: Systemic Perspectives.
The purpose of this program is to provide students with the theoretical background and experiential training necessary to develop professional qualifications as couple and family therapists. The program must be completed within six years. It meets the educational requirements for licensure within the State of New Jersey and member status in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The Marriage and Family Therapy Ed.S. program has accreditation status with the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) (Renewal Date: November 1, 2014).
Admission
In addition to university admission regulations, candidates for this program are required to submit the following:
• An official transcript reflecting a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, pastoral counseling or an allied field;
• Transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate course work; • Evidence of relevant experience as a counselor/therapist; • Recent (within three years) Graduate Record Examination
(GRE) or Miller Analogy Test (MAT) scores;
• Three letters of recommendation, including at least one from a former professor and one from a counseling/ therapy supervisor;
• Personal statement including professional goals; and • Appear for a personal interview.
The application deadlines are July 1 for Fall admission and December 1 for Spring admission. Requests for applications may be directed to the Office of Graduate Studies, College of Education and Human Services, (973)761-9668. Any information or questions about the program can be directed to the graduate assistant for the program at (973) 761-9451 or e-mail at [email protected]
Students who are interested in the program, but have missed the application deadline dates can also take up to 3 master’s level courses (a total of 9 credits) as a nonmatriculated student. This option should be discussed with the program director. Taking courses as a nonmatriculated student does not guarantee admission into the program.
Degree Requirements
(Total credits: 39 minimum)
The curriculum for the Ed.S. is as follows:
CPSY 6102 Psychology of Human Development CPSY 7101 Research Methods
CPSY 7610 Human Sexuality I
CPSY 7615 Gender and Ethnicity in Families CPSY 7620 Seminar in Systemic Therapies
CPSY 7621 Couple and Family Systems Techniques I CPSY 7622 Couple and Family Systems Techniques II CPSY 8011 Seminar on Ethical and Legal Issues: A
Systemic Approach
CPSY 8517 Seminar on Psychopathology and Systemic Diagnoses
CPSY 8800 Seminar: Contemporary Issues in Marriage & Family Therapy
CPSY 8801 Foundations of Assessment and Treatment in Systems
CPSY 9880 Internship in Couple and Family Therapy I CPSY 9881 Internship in Couple and Family Therapy II
The prerequisites for the Ed.S. are CPSY 6601 (Couple and Family Dynamics: Systemic Perspectives) and CPSY 6103 (Abnormal Psychology).
A minimum of 500 hours of supervised client contact (at least 50 percent with families and couples) at an appropriate site with program-approved supervisors is required for completion of the program. There must be one of hour of supervision for every five hours of client contact, and the supervision must include at least 50 hours of live or taped cases with at least 25 live or videotaped. Students receive individual and group supervision. Students who have completed all course work but have not completed all the supervised clinical hours for CPSY 9880-9881 will be required to register for CPSY 9886 (one credit) for one semester, and, if the hours remain unfinished, for CPSY 9880 or 9881. Students will work in a diversity of settings which meet licensing and accreditation standards at sites throughout New Jersey and the metropolitan area. The standards for licensing are available from the New Jersey State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners and for accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Successful defense of a written case study and taped clinical interview is the final step toward graduation.
M.A. Program in Psychological
Studies (School and Community
Psychology Concentration)
Program Overview
The Master’s Program in Psychological Studies (School and Community Psychology Concentration) is a 36 credit program that provides the foundation courses for students who are interested in working with school-age children and adolescents within the school setting, in child/adolescent mental health facilities, or those who are preparing for doctoral study. Courses include Abnormal Psychology, Human Development, Multicultural Counseling and Psychology, Statistics, Research Methods, etc. The use of Blackboard on-line technology is used in most courses. The use of email, PowerPoint, and basic computer technology is a requirement for the program.
A Unique Approach
The master’s program focuses on the child/adolescent, the school, and the community. Inherent in this training is the belief that children must be viewed in the contexts in which they live. The social, economic and cultural contexts shape their feelings, thoughts and actions. The school can usefully be regarded as the second nurturing agent beyond the family and, thus, is intimately involved in the growth and development of society’s youngest member.
In addition, the students in the program are considered a “community of learners.” The School Psychology Leadership Association of Seton Hall (SPLASH) was established in 2005, and meets twice each semester.
SPLASH represents the interests of graduate school psychology students engaged in the enhancement of Seton Hall University’s School and Community Psychology Program. The mission of SPLASH is to heighten the awareness of and advocate for issues relevant to the professional field of school psychology. Members of SPLASH intend to accomplish this through building a strong network of colleagues, remaining informed about current issues that affect our profession, and encouraging others to enter the school psychology profession. It is our goal as future school psychologists to become competent, socially conscious, and reflective professional leaders who advocate for the needs of a diverse society of students, families, and communities.
SPLASH is a recognized student organization of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and Student Affiliates in School Psychology (Division 16, School Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA). SPLASH service activities include participating in: hosting the annual Seton Hall School Psychology Conference which draws over 200 school psychologists and students from the tri-state area; the Polar Bear Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics; and bake sales to support SPLASH activities.
Who Should Apply?
The faculty of the School and Community Psychology Program are seeking applicants who are dedicated to the field of school psychology. This includes being passionate about working with diverse children, families, and staff in schools and within their respective communities. Successful applicants are able to demonstrate their: (1) dependability; (2) respect and empathy for others in thought and action; (3) open-mindedness; (4) ability to identify, admit and learn from their mistakes; (5) problem solving skills; (6) professional and ethical integrity; (7) ability to successfully cope with stress; and (8) self care skills. Experience working with students in schools and other settings is highly valued although it is not a requirement for admission to the program.
The Application Process
All students who are interested in the School and Community Psychology Program are required to apply to the Master’s Program in Psychological Studies (School and Community Psychology concentration). Generally, candidates for admission to the Master’s program have earned their undergraduate degree in psychology or in a related area (i.e., education) although other undergraduate majors are also considered.
Students who have already earned a master’s degree in a related field and/or have completed some graduate level courses would still need to apply to the master’s program in order to complete their Seton Hall University master’s level required courses and take/pass the master’s comprehensive examination. These students would need to have their graduate transcript and college/university course catalogue reviewed to determine if any of their courses are applicable to the program. Courses accepted towards the master’s program from other universities must be approved by the program director and/or admissions committee. A maximum of 12 credits can be accepted for advanced standing at the master’s level.
An application to the college of Education and Human Services Graduate School can be found online at
http://www.shu.edu/academics/education/graduate-studies.cfm
or obtained from the Graduate Office located in Jubilee Hall, 4th floor. In addition to University admission regulations,
candidates who apply to the Master’s in Psychological Studies (School and Community Psychology concentration) program are required to submit the following:
A completed graduate application and fee; •
Student r • ésumé;
Official copies of all previous undergraduate and •
graduate transcripts;
Three letters of recommendation, including at least two •
from former professors.
Recent scores (within three years) from the Graduate •
Record Examination (GRE) (preferred) (Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing is required: the Psychology Subject test is optional) or scores on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT); and
A statement of career goals. •
Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed by program faculty. A personal interview by the program director and/or admissions committee will be arranged with applicants who are considered potential candidates for the program. A writing sample will be requested from candidates during their personal interview. It is the applicant’s
responsibility to follow up with the Graduate Admissions office to verify that all application materials have been received. Please be sure that your application is completed in a professional manner.
The application deadline for Fall admission is February 1 of each year. Application will be accepted after the February 1 deadline provided there is space available. Applicants will be advised of their status by April 1. Students admitted to the masters program complete the courses outlined below. These students will earn the masters degree after successful completion of the 36-credit program, passing the comprehensive exam, and displaying the ethical/professional behaviors required for functioning as a school psychologist.
Students who are interested in the program, but have missed the application deadline dates can also take up to 3 master’s courses (a total of 9 credits) as a nonmatriculated student. Please discuss this option with the Program Director. Taking courses as a nonmatriculated student does not guarantee admission into the program.
Three courses (9 credits) a semester is considered full time status at the graduate level. Each class is arranged on one night per week for 130 minutes during the Fall and Spring semesters. Courses are scheduled in the evenings, Mondays through Thursdays, from 4:30 to 6:40 p.m. or 6:50 to 9:00 p.m. There are also 3 Summer Sessions; Intersession, June/ July, and July/August. The Summer Session courses are scheduled on various days and times, and some Summer courses are scheduled on weekends. Therefore, students at the masters level can work part-time while obtaining the masters degree. However, students at the Ed.S. level are expected to make a full-time commitment to the program.
Course of Study-Master’s Level
Credits
CPSY 6001 Tests and Measurement 3 CPSY 6100 Introduction to School Psychology:
History, Systems and Foundations 3 CPSY 6101 Personality Theory 3 CPSY 6102 Psychology of Human Development 3 CPSY 6103 Abnormal Psychology 3 CPSY 6105 Biological Bases of Behavior 3 CPSY 6303 Counseling and Community Agencies 3 CPSY 6505 Principles of Learning & Behavior
Modification 3 CPSY 7005 Statistical Theory & Computer
Applications I 3 CPSY 7101 Research Methods 3
CPSY 8010 Seminar: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling & Psychology 3 CPSY 8100 Multicultural Counseling and Psychology 3
Total Credits: 36
*Passing the Comprehensive Exam is required of all Master’s level students to graduate from the program.