School psychology program earns renewed approval

Mississippi State's school psychology program continues to meet strict national standards required for professional accreditation.

The doctoral-level program recently was notified of its reaccreditation by the American Psychological Association for four years--the maximum period permitted. First earning the distinction in 1996, the program is among only 50 of its kind in the nation holding the highest accreditation level.

School psychology emphasizes children, families and the schooling process, said program director Christopher Skinner of the Department of Counselor Education and Educational Psychology. Among areas subject to the APA's periodic review are a program's philosophies and curriculum, resources, diversity, intern-staff relations, and self-assessment, he added.

Skinner said MSU focuses on a scientist/practitioner model that provides its students with a background in assessment, consultation and intervention, and a psychoeducational core.

"Accreditation assures that our students meet standards that allow them to seek licensing," Skinner said. As a measure of the program's success, he observed that MSU students "consistently earn top internship opportunities."

In addition to Skinner, other faculty members in Mississippi State's school psychology program include Samuel D. Givhan, Carlen Hennington and T. Steuart Watson.