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Nov 23, 2024
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2018-2019 Springfield College Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Psychology
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 Return to: Major Programs of Study
The psychology and counseling programs in the Psychology Department fully encompass the College’s humanics philosophy, serving as a vital bridge to the understanding of the full range of human behavior-both in practical, real-life situations or in theoretical and scholarly study. Founded more than fifty years ago to address the stresses of a dynamic postwar culture, the College’s Psychology Department prepares graduate students to assume leadership roles in a variety of careers, including athletic counseling, college administration, clinical, school guidance counseling, industrial organizational psychology, and marriage and family therapy.
Many exciting new career opportunities are available for counselors and psychologists holding advanced degrees, particularly in the fields of educational counseling, community mental health care, counseling for the aging, and the growing areas of consulting, training, and marketing research.
Contact Person:
Dr. Allison Cumming-McCann
Chair, Department of Psychology
Telephone: (413) 748- 3025
E-Mail: acumming@springfieldcollege.edu
The Programs and Curricula
The Springfield College graduate programs in psychology and counseling strive to meet ever-changing community and organizational needs by producing highly trained counselors, administrators, and human resource professionals with a keen sense of self-awareness, effective counseling skills, and knowledge of a wide range of helping strategies. The College’s emphasis on humanics is especially well-suited to preparing compassionate and insightful graduates who understand the interconnectedness of spirit, mind, and body.
The graduate programs combine content mastery and exceptional field training to produce practitioner-scholars uniquely prepared to apply their knowledge of the human mind and the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of human behavior to real-life situations- helping people live better and more productively.
In each psychology program, the curriculum is characterized by two parallel themes: a practical understanding of people and why they behave the way they do, and a scholarly appreciation of the problems encountered in the discipline of psychology.
Students in the master’s programs in psychology and counseling must complete forty-eight to sixty credits of graduate course work, depending on the concentration. The programs are designed to allow flexibility for both full- and part-time students. Courses are often scheduled in evening and summer sessions, and individual work sites may be used for fieldwork/internship experience and credit. Working professional can often complete the requirements for a part-time master’s program in two years. Sample curriculum sequences for part-time study are available upon request.
The psychology department also offers a doctoral program in Counseling Psychology. The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program in Counseling Psychology at Springfield College provides students with specialty training in their choice of two concentrations: Athletic Counseling, and Marriage and Family Counseling. This program provides students the opportunity to enhance their clinical, theoretical, and research skills through coursework and hands-on learning through required practica and a yearlong internship. Students complete a minimum of 91 credits in core doctoral courses and may opt for 18-24 additional credits within their selected concentration and/or electives.
The Psychology Department is housed in Locklin Hall, which includes a counseling laboratory with two-way mirrors, a new research and computer laboratory with biofeedback equipment, as well as classrooms and offices. The programs are enhanced by the on-campus presence of the Springfield College Counseling Center, the Center for Performance Enhancement and Applied Research, an Employee Assistance Program, a career center, and many college services and offices where graduate students can pursue supervised fieldwork in a convenient professional setting. Services at the Counseling Center include a wide range of remedial and preventative mental health services. The College’s athletic facilities provide training and study opportunities for athletic counseling students. In addition to campus resources, a wide array of schools, businesses, other institutions of higher learning, human services and counseling agencies provide for a wealth of mentoring, internship and professional opportunities.
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Athletic Counseling Concentration
Recent trends in the world of sport have highlighted the need for individuals who are sensitive to unique academic, social, and athletic challenges that athletes face at all levels. The Athletic Counseling program is designed to meet this need by offering students an interdisciplinary preparation in counseling, psychology, and the sport sciences that will enable them to offer specialized support services to athletes in a variety of settings.
Building on a foundation of general counseling competencies, students in the program are offered intensive study and research opportunities in the area of life span developmental factors that affect athletes. Classroom, laboratory, and fieldwork placements provide students with opportunities to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in providing support services to this unique population.
The basic program, leading to either a M.S. or a M.Ed. degree, is forty-eight credits. Students seeking further specialization in career development, life skills enhancement, sport psychology or counseling/ clinical areas may elect to take additional coursework. Students planning full time study must begin their program in September.
The supervised fieldwork/internship component of the program provides students with opportunities to work with athletes in a variety of settings. Sites range from competitive youth sports to Division I university programs, and give the students significant experience in preparation for professional careers. Participation in the Research Team is an option for the students to gain a better understanding of the research process. Students and faculty meet weekly to discuss recent student and faculty research.
Contact Person:
Dr. Judy VanRaalte
Telephone: (413) 748-3388
E-Mail: Jvanraal@springfieldcollege.edu
CORE Requirement: (3 credits)
Program/Concentration Requirements: (31-40 credits)
Selectives
It is suggested that selective courses be chosen from the following: Electives (to meet a minimum of 48 credits)
Research requirement: Plan A: M.Ed
Plan A requires successful completion of all graduate work and successful completion of a program-specific comprehensive examination.
The research requirement under this plan consists of research completed within a specific course. Research requirement: Plan B: M.S. - Thesis is required
Plan B requires successful completion of all graduate work required by the student’s specific program, and a master’s research thesis which culminates in an oral defense. The program requirements include a statistics course and six semester hours of credit for RSCH 612: Proposal Design (2 credits) and RSCH 635: Thesis (4 credits). The student is eligible to receive the Master of Science degree, or may choose to receive the Master of Education.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration
Springfield College offers a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program which prepares the student to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). The program consists of a combination of the classes and internship required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to obtain the LMHC designation. Offering a Master’s Degrees (M.S. or M.Ed.), the program is designed for students at the beginning of their graduate career, professionals wishing to expand their current clinical and theoretical knowledge base, and professionals who need additional course work or internship to meet state licensing requirements. The program can also be designed to include course work required by other states for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program offers courses which provide the student with an opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of counseling theory, practice, and training in the skills necessary for providing counseling services in a variety of mental health settings including community mental health agencies, hospitals, crisis centers, forensic settings, and private practice.
The counseling practicum and internship component of the program provide the student with a solid base of practical skills and experience in a supervised setting with additional faculty supervision. Special consideration is given to the student’s area of interest in designing the fieldwork and internship experience. The faculty in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program offer support and assistance in finding internship sites that meet program standards and enhance the skills of the students.
Contact Person:
Dr. Allison Cumming-McCann
(413) 748-3025
CORE Requirement: (3 credits)
Program/Concentration Requirements: (48 credits)
Research requirement: Plan A; M.Ed:
Plan A requires successful completion of all graduate work and successful completion of a program-specific comprehensive culminating experience (exam, portfolio, presentation, etc.). Research requirement: Plan B: M.S.
Research requirement: Plan C: M.S.:
Plan C requires successful completion of all graduate work required by the student’s specific program, and a minimum of eleven semester hours of graduate work in the research area, which includes the following courses: Total Program Requirements: 60 credits
General Counseling Concentration
Springfield College’s Psychology Department offers a General Counseling Concentration which addresses the needs of students interested in obtaining a Master’s degree in counseling but who are not interested in professional licensure. This concentration is designed with maximum flexibility in order to meet student’s particular interests or needs, for example for job advancement, development of additional skills, or expanding their knowledge base. The concentration, through interdepartment course work selected by students in consultation with a faculty advisor, allows students to customize their own academic program to their personal goals. These goals may be to continue their education at the doctorate level, or for professionals to expand their current clinical and theoretical knowledge.
CORE Requirement: (3 Credits)
Program/Concentration Requirements: (21 credits)
Selectives: (24 credits)
Choose 8 courses from the following list (note that PSYC 714, 727, 753 and 785 are only available to students accepted into the doctoral program)
Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration
The Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at Springfield College blends course work from the fields of human resource management, organizational psychology, and counseling psychology in applying the science of psychology to the solution of a wide array of human and organizational problems ranging from employee selection to team building and organizational development. The I/O Psychology program allows for flexibility in designing a course of study and fieldwork options for individual students.
Objectives:
The I/O Psychology program provides students with a variety of learning opportunities. Graduates of the program can expect to learn how to:
- Design, conduct, and evaluate organizational research projects.
- Conduct and translate psychological information into non-technical terms.
- Design and evaluate training programs.
- Assess the impact of motivation, job stress, leadership and other constructs of work behavior.
- Build effective work groups through job analysis, group development and worker participation.
- Analyze and design organizational change strategies.
- Effectively develop employee selection and job placement criteria.
- Effectively manage employee and organizational conflict.
Career Opportunities: Upon completion of graduate training in I/O Psychology, students will be prepared for careers in a wide variety of occupations. Graduates of the program have acquired positions within the areas of human resources management, training & development, consumer research, recruitment, organizational development, and management consulting, within business, non-profit and public settings.
The plan of study requires a minimum of 38 semester hours. Students are encouraged to work closely with the I/O Psychology Program Director while developing their overall plan of study. The I/O program at Springfield College follows a competency-based approach. The focus is on the outcomes of training, and on the knowledge, skills, behavior, and capabilities necessary to function as a master’s level I-O practitioner. The competency-based approach is advantageous for several reasons. It maintains a focus on what is to be taught and learned, provides desirable flexibility, and recognizes the multiple paths to developing most important skills. The student’s plan of study is intended to meet their personal and professional goals and culminate in a Master’s of Science degree in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for the program
Contact Person:
Ny Mia Tran, PhD
Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program Director
Telephone (413) 748-3316
E-Mail: ntran3@springfieldcollege.edu
Industrial/Organization Program Requirements: (12 credits)
Research Requirements: (11 credits)
Industrial and Organizational Psychology Selectives: (minimum of 6 cr. required from the following)
Alternative Content Course Selectives
In consultation with the Program Director, select from the following courses to meet the program requirement of 38 credits (Note: students may also select courses from the Industrial and Organizational Psychology Selectives that were not used to meet that requirement):
Total Program Requirements: 38 credits
School Counseling Concentration
The School Counseling Program prepares students to meet Massachusetts State Licensure requirements for School Guidance Counselors and School Adjustment Counselors. Most students work toward a Master’s Degree (M.Ed.). Through their courses and fieldwork, students will come to: Understand the field of school counseling and the multifaceted roles of school counselors, develop skills to counsel and assess youth, learn to consult successfully with students, parents, school personnel, and members of the wider community, and learn to serve the needs of diverse students. The program is designed for students at the threshold of their graduate careers, as well as for seasoned professionals.
The School Counseling practicum experiences provide students with intensive supervised opportunities to integrate theory and practice, solidify their practical skills, and deepen their knowledge of youth and schools. Before beginning their practicum fieldwork, students are required to pass the Communications and Literacy portions of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).
The Master’s Degree for the School Guidance Counseling Licensure program is typically earned by completing 48 credits. Additional credits are required to complete the School Adjustment Counseling Licensure program. Only students who have successfully completed the School Guidance Counseling program will be eligible to complete the School Adjustment Counseling program. A minimum of 32 credits beyond the master’s degree is required for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.). The course requirements for the Master’s Degree (M.Ed.) are listed below.
The following program of study is subject to change.
Both the School Guidance Counseling and School Adjustment Counseling licensure programs are State of Massachusetts and NASDTEC approved and lead to the School Guidance Counselor license (Levels: PK-8, 5-12) and the School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor (Levels: All) licenses.
Contact Person:
Dr. Allison Cumming-McCann
Telephone: (413) 748- 3025
E-Mail: acumming@springfieldcollege.edu
Core Counseling Classes (18 credits)
Research Requirement: (3 credits)
School Counseling Required Courses: (12 credits)
Learning and Development
(Choose one or more of the following courses):
Selectives:
Choose one or more of the following selective courses to total a minimum of 48 credits.
Additional Coursework required for (optional) School Adjustment Licensure: (12-15 credits)
Only students who have successfully completed the School Guidance Counseling program will be eligible to complete the School Adjustment Counseling program.
Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education Concentration
The Springfield College graduate preparation program in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education is an established program that provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in graduate study in a friendly small college environment. With fieldwork and internship experiences offered at both large and small local institutions, and with a number of degree options, the program offers a great deal of choice to future professionals based upon their own career needs. The total number of credits for either an M.Ed. or and M.S. degree in this progam is 48 credit hours. After completing core requirements, students develop individualized programs that reflect their personal and career goals. Course work, fieldwork, and assistantships provide students with a broad background of knowledge and skills in student development and student affairs in preparation for working with diverse college populations. Fieldwork is considered to be an essential component of the learning experience.
The student personnel administration program offers a broad curriculum of professional development in preparation for the following positions: orientation coordinators, academic support and advisement professionals, financial aid officers, admissions personnel, career development specialists and counselors, students activities coordinators, student center directors, residence life staff, deans of students and other student affairs positions. The program is designed to meet CAS guidelines for graduate programs and emphasizes counseling and student development in its curriculum. Students may elect to complete a portfolio, a thesis, or a research project. A strong network of Springfield College alumni/ae provides support to graduates of the program.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: None.
The candidate will be eligible for either a Master of Education or a Master of Science depending upon the selection made in consultation with the advisor.
Contact Person:
Dr. Allison Cumming-McCann
(413) 748-3025
CORE Requirement: (3 credits)
Departmental Requirements: (6 credits)
Student Personnel Program Requirements: (18-24 credits)
Student Personnel Program Selectives: Total 9 credits
Research requirement: Plan A: M.Ed.
Plan A requires successful completion of all graduate work and successful completion of a program-specific comprehensive culminating experience (exam, portfolio, presentation, etc.).
The research requirement under this plan, which is determined by the student’s specific program, consists of a Portfolio and successful completion of PSYC 629: Final Portfolio and Review.
Research requirement: Plan B: M.S. - Thesis
Plan B requires successful completion of all graduate work required by the student’s specific program, and a master’s research thesis which culminates in an oral defense. The program requirements include a statistics course and six credits for RSCH 612: Proposal Design (2 credits) and RSCH 635: Thesis (4 credits). The student is eligible to receive the Master of Science degree, or may choose to receive the master of education degree.
Research requirement: Plan C: M.S.
Plan C requires successful completion of all graduate work required by the student’s specific program, and a minimum of eight semester hours of graduate work in the research area, which includes the following courses:
- Educational and psychological statistics I (RSCH 620) or Qualitative Research Methodology (RSCH 615)
- Proposal design (RSCH 612)
- Research project (RSCH 626 or PSYC 626)
Degrees:
The candidate will be eligible for either a Master of Education or a Master of Science depending upon the selection made in consultation with the advisor. |
Return to: Major Programs of Study
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