Alfred University is known for its emphasis on field experience. The program has built on this strength by emphasizing a firm grounding in theory, innovation and scientifically based practice.

Reflecting the rapid growth in the knowledge base of school psychology, as well as the training standards of the National Association of School Psychologists, the program at AU blends a substantial foundation in the basic science of psychology with its longstanding tradition of extensive field experience and practical skills development.

By meeting NASP standards, the program prepares students to sit for the national examination in school psychology and become a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). This program also prepares students for New York State Certification.

In the Schools:

Beginning in the first semester of the program, students participate in extensive fieldwork in Alfred-area school systems.

Students are placed in a local public school one day per week during the first semester and one and a half days per week during the second semester. In addition, opportunities exist to gain experience with special needs students.

Such practical experience assists the students in developing an understanding of the complexities of the school environment and allows them to begin to acquire valuable skills in communication, consultation, assessment, and intervention.

These experiences lay a foundation of knowledge that better prepares the student for the challenges s/he will encounter as a professional school psychologist.

Importantly, an on-site supervisor and School Psychology faculty member facilitate this fieldwork. The student is visited and observed at the school and there is communication with the on-site supervisor to further the student's progress.

In the Child and Family Services Center:

During the second year, students have experience in the Child and Family Services Center, a recently renovated spacious on-campus facility with a state-of-the-art communication/observation system.

Not only does this practicum expose students to the environment of a community clinic, but gives them direct experience in intake assessment, psycho-educational assessment, consultation, and counseling with children and their families.

The School Psychology faculty directly supervises this work through closed-circuit television, two-way mirror observation, audio and video taping, and individual and group case conferencing.

Noah, our therapy dog, joins clinic teams to provide assistive therapy.

During the Internship:

The final year of the program consists of a full-time internship in a public school system.

This experience is the culmination of the student's classroom and previous fieldwork and allows the student to perform the duties of a school psychologist under the supervision of an on-site school psychologist and a School Psychology faculty member.

The student generally receives a stipend from the school in which s/he interns.