Minnesota State Mankato will add a third doctoral program this fall: The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in school psychology.
The program will prepare candidates for certification to practice as school psychologists, or for other doctoral-level careers such as university teaching.
Minnesota State Mankato became Minnesota's first state university with doctoral students in 2007, when candidates enrolled for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Counselor degree in education and supervision. Those candidates enter the second year of their programs this fall.
The Psy.D. school psychology program recently was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, after a Higher Learning Commission team visited the Psychology Department to examine curriculum and resources.
"School psychology is one of the top 10 professions in America in terms of future growth and demand," said Anne Blackhurst, dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research. "The addition of the Psy.D. program enhances Minnesota State Mankato's ability to meet regional and national work force needs."
Nine candidates are registered for the new program. They will complete 106 semester credits, usually over five years (though some students with master's or specialist's training will be admitted with advanced standing). The program will emphasize data-based decision-making multiculturalism, mental health and prevention.
The program is designed to meet the standards of the National Association of School Psychologists and the American Psychological Association. It will teach candidates to use data to solve problems; to conduct assessments that inform interventions; to consider culture, ethnicity, disability and other factors in diagnoses; to make ethical decisions; to work within school, family and community systems; and to develop and analyze empirical research.
"With the current strong demand for persons with doctoral training in school psychology, this is a very exciting time to be starting a program like ours," said program coordinator Daniel Houlihan. "It is our plan to produce highly trained professionals who can meet a variety of demands in the workforce."
More information about the program is available at http://www.mnsu.edu/psych/school.html
Email this article | Permanent link | Topstories news | Topstories news archives
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
© 2005-2013 Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a member of
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
