CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDY
IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY (CAS)
Approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
Descriptions
Consistent withprofessional standards in teh field, our CAS training program provides students with the building blocks for effective practice at the entry level for the provision of services to children and youth. As outlined by these authors, the domains for leadership and function in the schools include the following:
- Data based decision making and accountability
- Interpersonal communication, collaboration, and consultation
- Effective instruction and development of cognitive/academic skills
- Socialization and development of life competencies
- Student diversity in development and learning
- School structure, organization, and climate
- Prevention, wellness promotion, and crisis intervention
- Home/school/community collaboration
- Research and program evaluation
- Legal, ethical practice and professional development
The University at Albany, State University of New York offers a program in School Psychology that leads to a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS). The CAS is minimally a three-year, 73 credit-hour training program. Students who complete this program are eligible for New York State certification as a school psychologist. The aim of the Program is the development of school psychologists who are well educated in both psychology and education. Using this knowledge, school psychologists are able to employ a variety of skills to improve learners' educational experiences and psychological well being. As such, these individuals provide a variety of services including consultation, assessment, and direct intervention.
The CAS Program's philosophy is that preparation of school psychologists is dependent on:
(a) |
a solid foundation in psychological and educational theory and research, and skill-based training in psychological assessment and intervention methods.
|
(b) |
opportunities for supervised application of theory, research, and reflective practice. |
This philosophy is consistent with an integrated model in which theory and research provide the basis for school psychological practice, the implementation and evaluation of which subsequently informs theory, research, and practice.
The educational and training goals and objectives are consistent with the Program's philosophy and the substantive areas of professional psychology. The following goals and objectives have been identified for the CAS Program:
GOAL #1:
To prepare school psychologists with a solid foundation in the theoretical and scientific bases of professional psychology needed to provide services to children, adolescents, and adults within a variety of systems and organizations.
| Objective A: |
Students acquire a broad knowledge base in scientific psychology, its history, and its research methods and applications (propositional and case knowledge).
|
|
| Objective B: |
Students gain knowledge of the scientific, methodological, and theoretical foundations of practice in substantive areas of professional psychology (propositional and case knowledge). |
|
GOAL #2:
To prepare school psychologists to integrate psychological theory, research, and established methods of scientific inquiry to engage in effective practice.
| Objective A: |
Students use psychological theory and research to inform professional practice (case and strategic knowledge).
|
|
| Objective B: |
Students use methods of scientific inquiry to evaluate professional practice (case and strategic knowledge). |
