School Psychology (SPS)

SPS5102  Asmnt & Intvntn of Reading Difficulties  (3.0 Credits)  

Students will develop an understanding of how children are typically taught to read in schools and the potential areas of difficulties for struggling readers. Students will understand the process of assessing and intervening with children in all aspects of literacy development, including phonemic awareness, word recognition, phonics, fluency, and phonological processing skills. The prevention of reading difficulties in children will be a major topic of the course.

SPS5104  Data-BasdDec-MkingI:Beh&Soc/EmoAss&Intrv  (3.0 Credits)  

The student will develop skills in the administration, scoring, interpretation and integration of various assessment instruments, including projective, objective, and observational procedures, of children and adolescents. The focus of the course will be the assessment of the social-emotional functioning of pupils. The development of report writing skills in the communication of evaluation results to parents/guardians and school personnel also will be stressed. Students who receive a grade below a B- must repeat the course. Lab fee.

Prerequisite(s): Matriculating school psychology graduate student as part of master's-level coursework.

SPS5105  Sem in Ethical Conduct for Sch Psych  (3.0 Credits)  

An in-depth examination of the requirements and expectations of professional and ethical behavior as specified in the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Principles for Professional Ethics and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) Professional Disciplinary and Ethical Standards and Guidelines for Responsible Conduct for Behavior Analysts.

SPS5110  Multicultural Issues in Sch Psych  (3.0 Credits)  

The multicultural course is designed to provide an introduction to some of the cultural, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic variables that impact service delivery in school psychology. Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of cultural and ethnic differences among individuals, groups, and families. Students will enhance their ability to apply their knowledge in the area of multicultural issues to their personal lives as well as their professional work. The students will demonstrate competence in self-awareness, other awareness, cultural sensitivity, and an ability to access resources to provide more culturally appropriate services to children and families of color. Students will also show an ability to identify possible culturally relevant solutions to ethical conflicts/dilemmas. Students who receive a grade below a B- must repeat the course.

SPS5190  Sem in Psych Services in the Schools  (1.0 Credits)  

This introductory seminar course will introduce school psychology students to the practice of school psychology and best practices in providing school-based psychological services. Historical developments, best practices, and current trends in the profession will be discussed.

SPS5302  Appraisal of the Individual  (1.0 Credits)  

Survey of historical and modern assessment instruments used within the field of School Psychology. Overview of basic reliability and validity standards for assessment instruments along with performance indicators (standard scores, t-scores, percentile ranks, etc.).

SPS5401  Sem in Child & Adolescent Development  (3.0 Credits)  

An in-depth examination of current theories, research and applications of development from the prenatal through adolescent periods.

SPS5402  Seminar: Psychopathology of Childhood  (3.0 Credits)  

An in-depth examination of current theories and research on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional developmental disorders.

SPS5406  School Crisis Prevention & Intervention  (3.0 Credits)  

The course will cover not only the range of crisis situations which school psychologists encounter in their work with children and adolescents in educational settings, but also the prevention of such events. Issues of school climate, school discipline, and the role of school psychologists in having an impact on these policies will be addressed. Crises covered will include system-wide crises such as school shootings, bomb threats, and natural disasters, and those posed to individual students such as bullying, physical abuse, and suicide. The course will also address methods of intervention within the school setting as well as the impact of trauma on children. Emphasis will be on those prevention practices and interventions which are demonstrated by the research literature to promote healing.

SPS5700  Statistics & Research Design I  (3.0 Credits)  

A research methods and introductory graduate statistics course that reviews the scientific method as it applies to behavioral and social sciences. Descriptive, correlational, quasi-experimental, and experimental research designs are reviewed. Inferential statistical techniques reviewed include ANOVA, Factorial ANOVA, regression, multiple regression, and nonparametric statistics. Program review and qualitative research design and analysis are introduced.

SPS5910  Beh Assessment in Edu & Comm Settings  (3.0 Credits)  

Investigate the behavior analytic techniques employed by behavior analysts to identify, operationally define, and assess behavioral excesses and deficits. Emphasis on count, frequency, rate, topography, latency, duration, magnitude, intensity, celeration, and reliability and validity of behavioral measures.

SPS6100  Introduction to Counseling Skills  (3.0 Credits)  

This course is designed for students to learn and practice interviewing and counseling skills, the intake interview process, suicide assessment, and how to conduct a mental status examination. Self-exploration and counselor self-development will also be addressed. Students who receive a grade below a B- must repeat the course.

SPS6103  Data-BasdDec-MkingII:CogAsmnt&Intvntn  (3.0 Credits)  

The student will develop skills in the administration, scoring, interpretation, and communication of the results of the major individual intelligence tests. Other areas related to the assessment of the cognitive abilities of children, adolescents, and adults will be analyzed, including problems and issues in assessment and legal and ethical considerations. Students who receive a grade below a B- must repeat the course. Lab fee.

SPS6106  Prac I: Consultation & Collaboration  (3.0 Credits)  

This first practicum course will introduce the attitudes, concepts, and skills of indirect service delivery in the schools through consultation. Students will be placed in a school for a half-day per week throughout the semester and receive 40 practicum hours upon successful completion of this course. The course is designed to produce consultation and organizational development skills, which will facilitate effective practice in working with instructional, administrative, and support staff to meet the academic, social, and behavioral needs of children in the schools. The course will emphasize communication skills; introduce various models of consultation, including systems-level consultation; produce an understanding of the stages of consultation, and focus on the importance of intervention design and ongoing assessment for progress.

SPS6109  Data-BasdDec-MkingIII:PsychoEdAsmnt&Intv  (3.0 Credits)  

Data-Based Decision Making III: Integrated Psychoeducational Assessment and Intervention reviews academic and cognitive norm-referenced assessment tools with an emphasis on using integrated, co-normed assessment systems. The integration of curriculum-based measures (CBMs) and observational tools into a complete assessment process is discussed. Intervention approaches for educational difficulties are surveyed, highlighting the link between assessment and specific intervention techniques.

SPS6150  Special Topics in School Psychology  (1.0 Credits)  

Selected topics of recent interest within the applied and research areas of school psychology, clinical-child psychology, and/or educational psychology. Topics will vary from year to year. The course is open to graduate students with permission from the course instructor. The course may be repeated when different topics are offered.

SPS6200  Externship I  (3.0 Credits)  

The externship is a 1,200-hour experience in the public schools (two consecutive 600-hour semesters). The externship provides the opportunity for students to refine assessment, counseling, and intervention skills, and it is structured to meet the requirements for certification as a school psychologist by the New Jersey State Department of Education. Supervision will be provided on site by certified school psychologists as well as by the university supervisor of externs. Students who receive a grade below a B- must repeat the course.

Prerequisite(s): completion of all coursework.

SPS6202  Externship II  (3.0 Credits)  

The externship is a 1,200-hour experience in the public schools (two consecutive 600-hour semesters). The externship provides the opportunity for students to refine assessment, counseling, and intervention skills, and it is structured to meet the requirements for certification as a school psychologist by the New Jersey State Department of Education. Supervision will be provided on site by certified school psychologists as well as by the university supervisor of externs. Students who receive a grade below a B- must repeat the course.

Prerequisite(s): completion of all coursework.

SPS6206  Externship Continuation  (3.0 Credits)  

Students should register for this course if they are completing the required hours for the externship experience. Repeatable for up to 6 credits. May be offered for 1-3 credits.

SPS6403  Neuro Basis of Educational Disorders  (3.0 Credits)  

This course will introduce the student to neuroanatomy and to central nervous system structure, organization, and function. Students will gain an understanding of the principle of the neurological mediation of behavior, particularly as it pertains to children with disabilities as defined by the New Jersey administrative code vis-á-vis special education.

SPS6405  Sem Adv Counseling withi Children & Adol  (3.0 Credits)  

Building on the skills learned in SPS5100, students will explore various counseling theories in depth and perform skills associated with multiple counseling techniques. Counseling theories reviewed include: CBT, REBT, play therapy, solution-focused therapy, reality therapy, and Adlerian therapy. Students will apply techniques to actual clients in practice counseling sessions with supervision. Diagnostic assessment and intervention will also be discussed.

Prerequisite(s): SPS6100.

SPS6801  Practicum II: Advanced Practice  (3.0 Credits)  

This second practicum course requires students to be in the schools for one full day per week throughout the semester. Unlike Practicum I, which focuses primarily on system-wide issues that have an impact on children and on the development of consultation and communication skills, Practicum II provides opportunities for skill development in the areas of cognitive and social/emotional assessment and group and individual counseling with school-age children.

SPS6911  Beh Interventions in Edu & Comm Settings  (3.0 Credits)  

Examine the elements of behavior change and procedures to accomplish behavior increases, decreases, generalization, and maintenance in educational settings. Emphasis on reinforcement, schedules of reinforcement, extinction, and alternate treatment procedures.

Pre/corequisite(s): ABA510 or SPS5910.

SPS6912  Adv Beh Chng Procdr in Edu&Comm Settings  (3.0 Credits)  

Study the factors that influence program development, including system and family variables, implementation of programs with treatment integrity, and the supervision and management of behavior change agents. Emphasis is on doing so in educational settings. Pre/

Corequisite(s): SPS5910 and SPS6911..

SPS7100  History & Developmental Theory in Psych  (3.0 Credits)  

A survey of the major theoretical systems in psychology, focusing on the scientific foundations of the field related to human development as well as the development of professional practice in the 20th and 21st centuries.

SPS7150  Personality Theory  (3.0 Credits)  

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the various psychological theories of personality. This course will review psychoanalytic, humanistic, biological, behavioral, cognitive, trait and skill, and interactionist theories and will review major theorists such as Freud, Jung, Adler, Horney, Erikson, Skinner, and others as appropriate.

SPS7200  Social & Organizational Psychology  (3.0 Credits)  

A broad overview of the methodologies, research findings, and theories within social psychology and industrial/organizational psychology will be offered to provide an understanding of the basic scientific approach to the social world that psychologists can utilize in both clinical work and in research.

SPS7250  Cognition & Learning  (3.0 Credits)  

The student will learn the major theories, issues, and areas of research in cognitive development. An emphasis will be made on the application of these concepts to education, learning, and academic skills development. The course will cover theoretical frameworks for the study of cognitive development, including information processing theory. Specific areas of cognitive development, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and memory will be discussed, as well as the application of cognitive development theory to the classroom setting and instruction.

SPS7300  Seminar in Advanced Psychopathology  (3.0 Credits)  

An in-depth examination of current psychological and psychiatric disorders as described in the DSM-5 and ICD-10. This course prepares graduate students for advanced diagnostic evaluation and treatment of psychological and psychiatric disorders, which are expected of advanced graduate students with special emphasis on children, adolescents, and young adults. 3 credits.

SPS7350  Physiological Basis of Behavior  (3.0 Credits)  

An overview of neuroanatomy and how its function and dysfunction impact everyday life. Emphasis will be placed on the role of neuroanatomy in mental health functioning along with neuropsychological assessment and psychopharmacology.

SPS7400  Prac III:Systems-LevelSrvcsInEduSetting  (3.0 Credits)  

This third practicum course will continue the skill development of students in the areas of indirect service delivery and systems-level interventions in the schools. Students will be placed in a school for one day per week throughout the semester and receive 120 practicum hours upon the successful completion of this course. The course is designed to produce organizational development skills, which will facilitate effective practice in working with instructional, administrative, and support staff to meet the academic, social, and behavioral needs of children in the schools. The course will focus on building skills in the assessment of systems-level issues, the development of interventions/programs based on assessments, and the evaluation of interventions/programs within the school setting.

SPS7450  Supervision of Psychological Services  (3.0 Credits)  

The student will develop skills in the supervision of psychological services to psychologists and other mental health professionals with a specific emphasis on the supervision of counseling services. Various methods of supporting supervisees and providing effective administration of psychological services in school and other mental health settings will be explored.

SPS7500  Statistics & Research Design II  (3.0 Credits)  

Advanced statistical topics such as RM-ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, MANCOVA, and advanced forms of regression will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the utility of each technique to analyze data in both research and applied venues using appropriate research designs. The ability to effectively use statistical software will also be reviewed.

SPS7550  Statistics & Research Design III  (3.0 Credits)  

Advanced statistical topics such as path analysis, SEM, discriminant function analysis, principal components analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis are discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the utility of each technique to analyze data in both research and applied venues using appropriate research designs. The ability to effectively use statistical software will also be reviewed.

SPS7600  Research and Psychological Measurement  (3.0 Credits)  

This course will review major research areas within the field of professional psychology with a special emphasis on school psychology-related topics. This course will also review the expectations and procedures for appropriate development of a doctoral dissertation in professional psychology. Students will use the information gained in this course to develop their dissertation topic area.

SPS7700  Dissertation  (3.0 Credits)  

This course, along with SPS7900 and SPS7901, is part of the capstone sequence of the School Psychology doctoral program. Student are required to generate an original piece of scholarship that contributes to the field of school psychology. This scholarship proposal must be successfully approved via a formal dissertation proposal defense before the graduate student may advance to SPS7900. Students are required to take 3 credits of dissertation in the fall and spring semesters before their internship year. This is an hours arranged and pass/fail course.

SPS7701  Dissertation Continuation  (1.0 Credits)  

This course is required of all students who have not successfully defended their dissertation proposal before enrolling in SPS7900. This course will allow doctoral students to continue their dissertation research, working alongside their faculty dissertation committee chairperson. Students must also register for this course every fall and spring semester after completing SPS7901 until they have successfully defended their dissertation. This is an hours arranged and pass/fail course.

SPS7900  Pre-Doctoral Internship I  (4.0 Credits)  

This culminating experience consists of a full-time, full-year, 1,500-hour internship experience, divided into semesters with each semester consisting of up to 750 hours. Students wishing to pursue licensure for the independent practice of psychology will complete a minimum of 1,750 hours. A minimum of 600 hours of this experience must be completed in a Pre-K-12 school setting if the student is not already a certified school psychologist. Students placed in Pre-K-12 school settings must be supervised by a certified school psychologist. Students placed in non-educational settings must be supervised by a licensed psychologist. The university supervisor conducts a minimum of one site visit per semester. During the internship, students are expected to go beyond the range of services they provided during their masters- or specialist-level externship. Internship-specific practice requirements will be dependent on the intern’s placement (e.g., school, pediatric hospital, psychological services clinic, etc.) and will be detailed in the intern’s contract with their field placement supervisor. Repeatable for up to 8 credits. May be offered for 1-4 credits.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

SPS7901  Pre-Doctoral Internship II  (4.0 Credits)  

Continuation of the culminating experience which consists of the second half of the full-time, full-year, 1,500-hour internship experience, divided into semesters with each semester consisting of up to 750 hours. Students wishing to pursue licensure for the independent practice of psychology will complete a minimum of 1,750 hours. A minimum of 600 hours of this experience must be completed in a Pre-K-12 school setting if the student is not already a certified school psychologist. Students placed in Pre-K-12 school settings must be supervised by a certified school psychologist. Students placed in non-educational settings must be supervised by a licensed psychologist. The university supervisor conducts a minimum of one site visit per semester. During the internship, students are expected to go beyond the range of services they provided during their masters- or specialist-level externship. Internship-specific practice requirements will be dependent on the intern’s placement (e.g., school, pediatric hospital, psychological services clinic, etc.) and will be detailed in the intern’s contract with their field placement supervisor. Repeatable for up to 8 credits. May be offered for 1-4 credits.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.