School Psychology Advanced Certificate
School Psychology
Advanced Certificate
The advanced certificate in school psychology is ideal for school practitioners who would like further professional development, or for individuals who would like to explore the dynamic field of school psychology.
Overview for School Psychology Adv. Cert.
The advanced certificate in school psychology is designed for students who are interested in learning aspects of school psychology but may not be interested in pursuing an advanced degree.
Certificate Courses in Psychology
This school psychology certificate may be completed as a stand-alone program, or courses may be applied later for students who wish to complete RIT's MS degree in school psychology. Students who complete the MS program in school psychology automatically earn this certificate.
In the advanced certificate in school psychology, you will learn:
- counseling theories, techniques, and strategies for working with children and adolescents and their families.
- the types of tests and their uses in academic assessment.
- behavioral assessment, data analysis, and approaches to behavior change.
- competencies in consultation that will help build your capacity to deliver effective services.
- consultation skills, with an explicit focus on systems-level issues and interventions.
What is a Graduate Certificate?
A graduate certificate, also called an advanced certificate, is a selection of up to five graduate-level courses in a particular area of study. It can serve as a stand-alone credential that provides expertise in a specific topic that enhances your professional knowledge base, or it can serve as the entry point to a master's degree. Some students complete an advanced certificate and apply those credit hours later toward a master's degree.
Students are also interested in: School Psychology MS
This program is no longer accepting new student applications.
Curriculum for 2023-2024 for School Psychology Adv. Cert.
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
School Psychology, advanced certificate, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| PSYC-620 | Interpersonal Intervention Skills This course presents counseling theories, techniques and strategies for working with children and adolescents and their families. It is designed to develop basic counseling and crisis intervention skills. Three areas that are given the most attention are developing one's counseling knowledge base, developing one's basic psychotherapeutic communication skills and developing one's self awareness. (This course is restricted to SCPSYC-ACT or SCPSYC-MS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| PSYC-630 | Academic Assessment Students of this course will study assessment generally, types of tests and their uses, strengths and weaknesses of specific instruments, principles of reliability and validity, scales, and norms. Students will acquire an understanding of the quantitative and qualitative aspects of measurement. Extensive practice will be given in the administration and scoring of standardized assessment procedures. Emphasis will be placed on the use of various academic assessment procedures in schools and other settings. (This course is restricted to SCPSYC-ACT or SCPSYC-MS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| PSYC-641 | Applied Psychology Methods This course explores various types of applied research methods as well as important methodological issues and concepts in areas of applied psychology. Methodologies studied include experimentation, quasi-experimentation, content analysis, surveys, and interviews. Methodological issues cover research ethics, reliability, threats to internal and external validity, demand characteristics, volunteer participant problems, and issues in sampling. Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| PSYC-650 | Applied Behavior Analysis This course reviews scientifically-based principles, concepts, and methods of behavior analysis. Topics covered include behavioral assessment, data analysis, and approaches to behavior change. A special focus is on the functional behavioral assessment process within schools. Students will learn to develop assessment-based behavior intervention plans, which are tailored to the unique needs of individual students, through a collaborative problem-solving process involving families and school staff. (This course is restricted to SCPSYC-ACT or SCPSYC-MS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| Second Year | ||
| PSYC-640 | Graduate Statistics This course reviews descriptive and inferential statistics. Basic and advanced conceptual material will be presented to assist students in their understanding of diverse data analytic methods, their appropriate application, and how to interpret statistical analyses. Topics include one- and two-sample inferential procedures, interval estimation, correlation, nonparametric tests, linear regression, and analysis of variance. Students will learn to integrate concepts with computer applications. Course content will be taught through lectures, discussion, and applied data analysis exercises. Student mastery of the material will be evaluated through small group discussion of data set analyses, written results of the analyses following APA style, and two exams. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
3 |
| PSYC-720 | Advanced Consultation This course focuses on the development of beginning competencies in consultation that will help students assist school professionals in building capacity to deliver effective services. Contextual influences on school consultation, models of consultation, and the stages of the consultation process within a problem-solving model will be emphasized. Issues relevant to individual case and classroom consultation will be covered. (Prerequisites: PSYC-620 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| PSYC-723 | Systems and Organizational Interventions This course will assist students in building their consultation skills, with an explicit focus on systems-level issues and interventions. Students will learn principles of population-based prevention and intervention services and family-school collaboration. An array of evidence-based schoolwide interventions will be explored in depth with a focus on the role of the school psychologist within the larger system. (Prerequisites: PSYC-620, PSYC-630, PSYC-650 and PSYC-721 or equivalent courses.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 21 |
|
Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus only.
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full‑time | Fall/Spring | Rolling | No |
Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the School Psychology Adv. Cert. program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
- A recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: None
- Participate in an individual interview.
- Writing samples are optional.
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.
English Language Test Scores
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
| TOEFL | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 7.0 | 68 |
International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.
How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application
Cost and Financial Aid
An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.
A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree
Additional Information
Prerequisites
- Have completed at least 18 semester hours of course work in behavioral sciences with a grade of B (3.0) or better.
- Have completed prerequisite undergraduate courses in general psychology, elementary statistics, child or developmental psychology, and abnormal psychology.
Research
Faculty in the department of psychology focus their research on a wide variety of topics across the discipline. They work closely with students to pursue their research and advise on thesis work. Learn more by exploring our psychology research areas.