IUP's Post-Master's Certification in School Psychology and Doctor of Education in School Psychology programs have both earned continuing, full national accreditation from the National Association of School Psychologists.
“I am pleased that IUP's excellence in program and student outcome assessment was recognized by reviewers,” Dr. Mary Ann Rafoth, dean of the College of Education and Educational Technology, said.
“I would like to recognize Dr. Joe Kovaleski, doctoral coordinator; Dr. Mark McGowan, master's and specialist certification coordinator in School Psychology; and Dr. Keith Dils, associate dean for Teacher Education, for their hard work in preparing the review materials. The Department of Educational and School Psychology, where both programs are housed, should be very proud of this recognition.”
The school psychology program offers initial preparation and continued training of school psychologists who work with school and family-related problems of children. The Certification in School Psychology, offered to those who have earned a Master of Education degree, provides students with specific clinical skills necessary to function as a school psychologist. The doctoral program in School Psychology is designed to prepare students who are currently school psychologists for advanced work as practitioners, supervisors, or university faculty members.
The reviewers' report of the doctoral program recognized the “variety and depth across the curriculum,” the program's “elective specialty training and more in-depth experiences for doctoral candidates in specific advanced areas,” and the 100 percent pass rate on the Praxis II (the test required of all individuals seeking national certification as a school psychologist) for sixteen candidates over the past three years.
The evaluation of the Certification in School Psychology program also recognized the quality of the assessment methods and the requirements of the program, including the internship process.
All of IUP's Teacher Education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.