Rivier University Launches Psy.D. Program in Counseling and School Psychology
Nashua, NH (PRWEB) September 04, 2013 -- Rivier University announces the official launch of a doctorate of psychology (Psy.D.) in counseling and school psychology— becoming one of only eight other similar programs in the country and the first college or university in the state of New Hampshire to offer a combined doctoral program.
Rivier’s Psy.D. program in counseling and school psychology will provide individuals who already hold a master’s degree or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in counseling or school psychology with an opportunity to obtain advanced training in their respective fields. The Psy.D. program follows a competency based model of education to meet state licensing requirements. The unique design of the program will provide students with program options emphasizing counseling or school psychology leading to the Psy.D. degree. This will enable professionals to become more experienced in their field and prepared to pursue careers as licensed psychologists and school psychologists in a variety of settings.
“The program fills a void in doctoral level training of psychologists,” said Dr. Robert Walrath, Associate Professor of Education and director of the Psy.D. program. “The program is designed to provide broad and general knowledge and skills for psychologists to work across a number of settings such as schools, mental health agencies, private practice, and universities and colleges.”
Rivier’s Psy.D. program builds upon existing M.A. and CAGS programs in both school psychology and mental health counseling that are approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education.
The doctoral program curriculum is consistent with the APA Accreditation Guidelines and Principles of the American Psychological Association. APA accreditation will be pursued for the doctoral program following the enrollment of sufficient numbers of students.
“Doctoral students in this program will be challenged not only by a group of distinguished faculty who are leaders in various aspects of psychology, but also by fellow students who share a passion for psychology and improving the lives of others,” said Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, Rivier’s president. “Students entering into this new program at Rivier will join a unique community of teachers and learners committed to the Rivier mission of ‘transforming hearts and minds to serve the world.’”
This will be the second doctoral program to be offered by the University. In 2008, Rivier introduced the doctorate of education in leadership and learning—also the first in the state of New Hampshire.
Patricia Garrity, Rivier University, http://www.rivier.edu, +1 603-670-4133, [email protected]
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