School Psychology go.niu.edu/SchoolPsychology Program Director Christine Malecki, Ph.D. 815-753-1836 cmalecki@niu.edu SchoolPsychology@niu.edu
What is School Psychology? School Psychology is a specialty within the field of psychology that is
focused on the science and practice of psychology in the school setting (APA, 2016). School psychologists are experts in prevention, assessment, intervention, data collection, mental health, education, learning, instructional support, multiculturalism, family-school-community collaboration, research, special education and program evaluation (NASP, 2015).
Work Settings: School psychologists work in public schools, private schools, universities, mental health clinics, hospitals, juvenile justice programs and in private practice (NASP, 2015). Salary: Average salaries of full-time school-based practitioners range from $64,168 to $71,320. Average salary for mid-level university faculty is $77,801 (Castillo et al., 2012). Job Outlook: Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the profession will grow 20 percent before 2024, equating to 30,500 new jobs for school psychologists (2014).
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Levels of Education:
• M.A./Ed.S. Three-year program with two years of classes and one year of internship • Enables practitioners to work in schools • Ph.D. Five-year program with four years of classes and one year of internship • Enables practitioners to work in schools, universities and private practice settings • Our programs are for full-time students only
Assessment At a systems-level, collect, analyze and use data to determine what is working in school-wide programs or with curricula and to determine areas requiring improvement. For individual students, collect data to determine what instructional strategies and supports may help the student to be successful and potentially determine eligibility and need for special education services.
Consultation Work with teachers,
administrators and parents to create solutions to academic and behavioral challenges at the school-wide level, at a grade or group level, and for individual students. Also, work together to identify and celebrate successes.
Intervention Use data to inform intervention. Help develop and implement school-wide, group-wide or even individual interventions to build success for students.
Interventions include those in the academic, social-emotional and behavioral domains for all students. Interventions can include skill-building instructional interventions, social skills groups, individual therapy and school-wide positive behavioral supports. Northern Illinois University | School Psychology | 3
What does a School Psychologist do? Early Childhood Settings K-12 Schools
School psychologists in early childhood settings focus on
early identification and intervention, typically in a preschool setting.
In public and private schools, school psychologists focus on prevention, assessment and intervention of academic and socialemotional needs of students. School psychologists can also work as an administrator, such as a Director of Student Support Services, Director of Curriculum, Supervisor of School Psychologists or Principal (if an administrative credential is obtained).
Colleges or Universities
Private Practice
School psychologists can work as adjunct professors at colleges and universities. School psychologists with doctoral training can also work as faculty members. School psychologists can work as mental health professionals in private practice, although doctoral training is required.
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Overview of Our Programs Master’s/ SpecialistLevel
At least 60 hours of coursework At least 425 hours of practicum experience in schools Second year competency exams One year internship Portfolio of internship
Ph.D.
At least 90 hours of coursework At least 1,125 hours of practicum Psychological Services Center (clinic) experiences Second year competency exams Thesis Candidacy exam Dissertation One year internship Portfolio of internship
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Typical Program Each semester is a combination of coursework coordinated with practicum experiences and research. Both programs require second year competency exams and portfolios of internship. For the full typical program, please visit our website, go.niu.edu/SchoolPsychology Master’s/ SpecialistLevel
First and Second Year
• Complete coursework . • Start practicum in the schools, first year, spring semester. • Complete second year competency exams. • Apply for internship second year.
Internship
• Complete a portfolio of internship experience.
Ph.D. Level
First and Second Year
• Complete coursework. • Start practicum in the schools, first year, spring semester. • Complete second year competency exams. • Propose thesis second year.
Third and Fourth Year
• Continue completing coursework. • Start externship third year and continue fourth year. • Defend thesis third year. • Take Candidacy Exam to prepare for dissertation. • Propose dissertation fourth year. • Psychological Service Center (clinic) experiences.
Internship
• Complete a portfolio of internship experience. • Defend dissertation.
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Mentoring In order to ensure a successful transition into the NIU School Psychology Program, each Ph.D. and M.A./Specialist-Level student is assigned to a peer mentor who is a current graduate student. Peer mentors contact their mentee(s) prior to the start of the program and meet at least once a month during the first year of the program. You’re also encouraged to meet beyond the first year. You’ll be matched to your peer mentor based on your career goals, research interests and assigned faculty advisors. Master’s/Specialist-Level Mentoring
First year M.A. students are paired with second year M.A. students. You’ll meet with your mentor to discuss: • Transitioning into graduate school • First year challenges • Living in the area • Illinois School Psychologists Association (ISPA) Conferences • Internship Ph.D. Mentoring
First year Ph.D. students are typically paired with third year Ph.D. students. You’ll meet with your mentor to discuss: • Transitioning into graduate school • First year challenges • Thesis/Dissertation • Candidacy • Externship • Internship
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School Psychology Faculty Program Faculty are nationally-known scholars and active in service to the field of school psychology.
Christine Malecki, Ph.D., Program Director
Research interests include social support, factors surrounding bullying behaviors and curriculum-based measurement. In 2015, she was chair of the Council of Directors of School Psychology Programs. cmalecki@niu.edu Michelle Demaray, Ph.D.
Research interests include traditional and cyber bullying and victimization, the role of bystanders, social support, ADHD and social-emotional issues. Michelle is currently editor of the Journal of School Psychology. mkdemaray@niu.edu Julia Ogg, Ph.D.
Research interests include protective factors for children with externalizing behaviors and ADHD, and parent training interventions. Julia is currently Past Chair of the American Psychological Association, Division 16 Conference. jogg@niu.edu Kara Styck, Ph.D.
Research interests include the measurement of individual differences in cognitive and affective factors that impact success in school. Kara is currently a statistical and methodological advisor for the Journal of School Psychology. kstyck@niu.edu 8 | Northern Illinois University | School Psychology
Funding Opportunities Assistantships
Typically, you’ll receive either a teaching or research assistantship. Assistantships are awarded on a nine month basis, and may either be full-time (20 hours per week) or half-time (10 hours per week). Your assistantship includes a stipend (approximately $1,400 per month for full-time and approximately $700 per month for half-time) and a tuition waver. Research Assistants are involved in ongoing research of the faculty members to whom you are assigned. Teaching Assistants are involved in teaching undergraduate psychology courses.
Additional Funding Opportunities
Fellowships—Provide graduate students with financial
support to pursue studies without the responsibility of teaching or research.
Support for Minority Students—The Rhoten A. Smith
fellowship and other fellowships are available for qualified minority students.
Other University Positions—You’re encouraged to seek out other graduate assistantship positions throughout the university.
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Alumni Perspectives Lyndsay Jenkins, Ph.D.
I am currently an assistant professor of school psychology and owe much of my success to the faculty and the training experiences of the NIU School Psychology Program. The program emphasizes applying what we learned in the classroom to real-life. From practicum and externship to research and publishing, I felt that the variety of integrative learning experiences thoroughly prepared me to work in the schools or at the university. Vinita Menon, Ph.D., NCSP
My hospital and therapeutic program background made me curious about the role of the psychologist in schools. Due in large part to my training at NIU, I have been fortunate to experience several professional roles during my career so far. I was a practicing school psychologist and student assistance coordinator for a few years. Now in a private practice setting, I can use that expertise along with my clinical background to consult and coordinate care for children and their families. My training at NIU provided me the opportunity to make those choices, be prepared to practice with excellence in both the school and clinic settings and collaborate with a variety of school-based professionals. I am also a visiting assistant professor with the NIU School Psychology Program, so I truly am enjoying many of the roles for which the program trained me! NIU prepares you for career paths that you aren’t even aware that you may follow!
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Alumni Perspectives Aundrea R. J. Lane, Ph.D.
The NIU School Psychology Program was the perfect program, because it provided me with the variety in experiences I was looking for. I also can’t say enough about the supportive faculty and the great benefits of having a small cohort and the camaraderie you build. I am currently working as a school psychologist. Karen Pratt, Ed.S.
The Specialist-Level School Psychology Program at NIU prepared me to currently work as a school psychologist at two suburban elementary schools in Illinois. My training prepared me to work with students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and with students with a wide variety of academic and social-emotional needs. I also had many opportunities to develop my leadership skills within my profession through internship experiences. My training at NIU prepared me to make a difference with the students I serve. P.J. Perry, Ph.D.
From the moment I stepped onto the NIU campus until the moment I received my degree, I was individually supported by the School Psychology faculty. From course work, to research, to practicum and internship experiences, to career; I was mentored, supported and provided invaluable opportunities and experiences that created a natural transition into the role of a practicing school psychologist.
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Research Opportunities There are a variety of opportunities to get involved with research at NIU.
• Involvement in faculty and student research on school climate, bullying and victimization, social support, parenting and parent interventions, challenging behavior, ADHD, assessment of cognitive and affective factors for school success. • Research assistantships with faculty in school psychology and other areas of psychology allow for cross-disciplinary collaboration. • Present at state and national conferences. • Publish journal articles and book chapters with support from faculty.
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Diversity Our program is committed to promoting diversity within the field of school psychology. Specifically, our School Psychology Program is focused on increasing the enrollment of students from diverse backgrounds and increasing all students’ awareness of diversity and multiculturalism. We Provide:
• Office of Diversity and Equity—an active resource center for students from underrepresented groups. • “Diversifying Psychology”—an online workshop to inform underrepresented groups about programs in psychology. Our School Psychology Program:
• Discusses multicultural topics during core foundational classes. • Partners with diverse schools in the Chicago area for practicum and internship experiences • Provides a peer mentorship program for all students. We have received grant funding for “Project Diversify School Psychology” to support and sustain our efforts to recruit students from diverse backgrounds. Thank you to the Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training (CEMRRAT) of the American Psychological Association (APA), Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs (OEMA) for recognizing and supporting our efforts! We hope to be able to provide qualified candidates of ethnic minority background a stipend for attending our interview day. Please watch our archived Facebook Live event “Diversifying School Psychology” from Fall 2017 to learn more about school psychology and our program, why school psychologists from diverse backgrounds are important and needed, and how to become a school psychologist.
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Living in DeKalb DeKalb is a small, rural community on the outskirts of the suburbs of Chicago. Things To Do Around The Area
There are several annual local festivals throughout the year including Corn Fest and Pumpkin Fest. You can attend university-hosted as well as community theatre events. Nightlife abounds in the local bars with live music ranging from live jazz, steel drum bands and rock ’n’ roll. The DeKalb area has several movie houses and farmer’s markets. We have multiple shopping centers and a large, eclectic range of ethnic and chain restaurants from which to choose. Close Destinations
Downtown Chicago (90 minutes, 65 miles) Starved Rock State Park (1 hour, 60 miles) Chicago Premium Outlets (35 minutes, 30 miles) Downtown Geneva or St. Charles (35 minutes, 25 miles)
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Why Choose NIU? Small and Supportive Cohorts—Cohorts are between five and eight Ph.D.
and Master’s/Specialist-Level students.
Supportive Faculty—You get to know each faculty member well and receive
specific feedback and individual attention to develop into the best professional you can be.
Location—The DeKalb area offers a diverse range of student populations with whom to work including rural, urban and suburban populations. Also, it is 65 miles from Chicago and all that the city has to offer.
Northern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. niu.edu 50169 6/18
100 percent of our Ph.D. students have been matched to an APA-accredited internship within the last five years.
Both programs are NASP-approved, and our Ph.D. program is APA-accredited. Training focuses around innovative, research-based Multi-Tiered Services and Support.
In the last eight years, 100 percent of students obtained paid internships and 100 percent of our students were hired full-time upon program completion. The School Psychology Master’s/Specialist-Level program was awarded a $1.1 million grant allowing M.A. students an opportunity to receive specific training and expertise in preventing and address bullying. 100 percent of Master’s/Specialist-Level and Ph.D. students have received
funding for the last 20 years.
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How to Apply Strong Applicants Have: • A B.A. or B.S. in psychology, although other related majors are welcomed. • Earned a strong undergraduate GPA; typically above 3.40. • Strong GRE scores, with writing scores in the 4.0 to 6.0 range. • Strong letters of recommendation. • Relevant research and/or applied experiences. • A successful interview showing excellent collaborative skills.
Application Procedures: • Submit an application by December 15—with three letters of recommendation, transcripts, GRE scores and a personal statement. • Interviews are held in early February.
Want more information? Watch our videos on our website at go.niu.edu/SchoolPsychology Contact SchoolPsychology@niu.edu to be connected with a current graduate student and receive more information about our program.
School Psychology
go.niu.edu/SchoolPsychology