Education program gets national nod

An academic program in school psychology is joining a select rank of those that hold national accreditation.

The American Psychological Association has approved the College of Education graduate program as one of 44 meeting strict requirements that allow students to seek licensing.

"We have worked on earning this distinction for the last four years," said Christopher Skinner, coordinator of school psychology programs in the Counselor Education/Educational Psychology Department. "It is the highest level of accreditation a program can receive."

To qualify for accreditation, the program had to enhance its academic offerings and to increase the publication rate of faculty and students.

"This certification strengthens the opportunities for our students," he said.

Skinner said one student now pursuing a doctoral degree in school psychology has earned one of only three internships available at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Another student is interning with a Boys Town program in Nebraska.

"All are APA-approved internships that improve the professional opportunities and training our students seek," Skinner said.

The program, which recently was reaccredited by the National Association of School Psychologists, requires a one-year student internship. Focusing on identification, prevention and remediation of learning and behavior problems, it also requires three practicums.

Students take coursework in assessment, in consultation and intervention, and in a psychoeducational core, among others.

In addition to Skinner, faculty members include Sam Givhan, Carlen Hinington and Steuart Watson in school psychology and David Morse, Linda Morse and Daniel Robinson in educational psychology.