BYU's counseling psychology program status is approved for success.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recently approved the counseling psychology program within the Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education.

According to a press release, this "vote of credibility" not only approves the program's requirements, but will help students "to become credentialed or licensed psychologists."

For counseling psychology graduates who perform well on their Praxis exam, this means they can now join the team of nationally certified school psychologists.

Ellie Young, BYU counseling psychology graduate coordinator and faculty member, said students will now be eligible for national certification as a school psychologist if they pass the standardized exam.

Young also said the approved program means great things for the program's future.

"Because of this recognition, we hope to attract highly qualified students and ensure that future employers of our students recognize that our students are exceptionally well-trained and prepared to serve children, families and schools," Young said.

The process of getting the programs approved by NASP was a long one.

"To become an approved program, we spent several years revamping our practicum, internship and coursework to meet national standards," Young said.

According to the press release, the department had to document students' mastery of competencies in 11 different training domains in order to receive the NASP approval.

Faculty members who put an effort into getting the program approved are glad to see it finally succeed.

"We are very happy, it opens doors for our students to work in other states and work on things they otherwise couldn't have," said Dr. Melissa Heath, associate professor in the Counseling Psychology and Special Education Department. "Now, with the program approved, it gives them a lot more options for internships, getting into schools after graduating and other things."

Heath said much of the success is due to Young, saying that her leadership spearheaded the effort.

Other faculty in the Counseling Psychology and Special Education Department, including Timothy Smith and Lane Fischer, helped collaborate to make the needed changes to the program, and had the support of the department chair, Mary Anne Prater.



Copyright Brigham Young University 24 Nov 2008