The University of Central Arkansas’s school psychology programs were recently granted full approval by the National Association of School Psychologists.
NASP approval is a vital component of quality assurance and national recognition for UCA’s master’s and doctoral programs. The NASP approval is good until Dec. 31, 2014.
“Both prospective and current students know that NASP approval means that a program contains the course work and practical experiences necessary to become a competent practitioner,” says Joan Simon, program director. “It is this ‘stamp of approval’ that draws students from both in-state and out-of-state undergraduate institutions into our program.”
According to NASP, “School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students that strengthen connections between home and school.”
The school psychology program at UCA is housed in the Department of Psychology & Counseling within the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and is part of the Professional Education Unit that is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs (NCATE).
The master’s program at UCA was started in 1970 and was granted initial approval by NASP in 1994. The vast majority of these graduates work in the public schools in Arkansas and surrounding states. The curriculum includes two years of full-time course work and a 1,200 hour supervised internship experience in the school setting.
UCA started its doctoral program in 2000 and was accredited by the American Psychological Association in 2006. Most of these graduates are now licensed psychologists and are employed in school districts, mental health clinics, the Arkansas Department of Education, private practice, or higher education settings. The curriculum includes four years of full-time course work and a 2,000 hour supervised internship experience, with at least 600 hours in a school setting.
