A. At all of our meetings you will receive information about our programs that will be helpful to you in making a decision on where you might want to do your graduate work. You will also meet with the Director of the Graduate Psychology Program, different psychology faculty members, Admissions Committee members, a representative from Financial Aid, a representative from Student Services, and the Admissions Coordinator who will handle your application. Each of the above mentioned individuals will talk briefly about their roles and be available for questions after they speak. In many cases, these individuals will take some time after the meetingto talk with you individually if you wish.
Q. What takes place during one of these meetings?
A. We will provide a snack or dessert for you during the meeting. We will also give you a complete rundown of our Graduate Psychology Programs, field placements, certification information, class sequencing, and philosophy behind our program. There will also be a time for you to ask questions or speak to someone on the admissions committee if you have a special need or circumstance in regards to your application.
Q. What is the difference between School Counseling and School Psychology?
A. Although both work in schools, the jobs are quite different. In general School Counselors do more guidance of students towards jobs and careers. In many schools, they are responsible for scheduling students into courses so that they take the courses needed to reach their career goals. Some do counseling of students with less severe problems, however, the role of school counselors varies greatly from one school district to another and from one level (i.e., elementary, middle, and high school) to another. School Psychologists are trained to do assessment and diagnosis of students' problems and strengths, to counsel students, and to help teachers and parents to better help students.
Q. Why is the School Psychology program three years long when the School Counseling program is only 2 years?
A. There are 2 major reasons. School Psychology requires extra courses and practical experience in assessment, and a full year, full-time internship (18 credits), as required by New York State for certification. School Counseling requires only a part-time internship (9 credits) for provisional certification.
Q. What is the current job market in School Psychology and School Counseling?
A. The job market for School Psychology is excellent now and expected to be so in the future, both in NY State and elsewhere. In NYS schools, there are mandated requirements for procedures which can only be performed by school psychologists. Therefore, job availability and job security are better for the profession of school psychology than for school counseling which has no such mandates. Presently, the job market for school counseling is only fair in NYS and there is strong competition for any available openings. However, the job market for school counselors in the Southeastern, Midwestern, and other selected states is very good.
Q. Is your program accredited?
A. All of the graduate programs are accredited by the New York State Department of Education. Roberts Wesleyan College, and therefore all of its programs, is accredited by the Middle States Accrediting Association. Because these graduate programs are new, accrediting by professional organizations has not been sought. However, the school psychology and school counseling programs have been designed according to the guidelines of their two professional accrediting organizations.
