School psychology program receives national recognition

Valparaiso University’s Graduate School Psychology program has earned national recognition for its commitment to promoting the proper education and effective preparation of school psychologists.

The School Psychology Program was approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) on Jan. 28, 2011. The announcement was made following a comprehensive review of three years of program evaluation data submitted in September, 2010.

The NASP’s mission is to represent school psychology and support school psychologists to enhance the learning and mental health of all children and youth. The association’s goals are to promote professional competency among school psychologists, to advocate for services and education for all, and to enhance the external relationships and communication of school psychologists.

Currently there are 184 schools in 46 states across the United States that have NASP approval. In Indiana, Valpo is one of only four universities with NASP approval and the only one north of Indianapolis. Valpo joins three much larger universities with NASP approval in the Chicago region.

Valpo’s School Psychology Program is a 68 credit hour, three-year graduate program in the Department of Education. Upon completion, students will have earned both the M.Ed. in Education and Psychological Foundations and the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in school psychology. With this approval, the process for becoming licensed in the State of Indiana or in states with reciprocal arrangements will be greatly facilitated for graduates of the program.

“Together with the recently received accreditation for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program by CACREP and the Masters International partnership with the Peace Corps for Valpo’s International Commerce and Policy program, such recognitions attest to the overall high quality of the graduate programs at Valpo,” says David Rowland, Associate Provost and Dean of Valparaiso University’s Graduate School. “The Graduate School continues to pursue the highest level of excellence among its programs and is becoming known for signature, interdisciplinary programs that prepare students for professional roles in government, human services, education, business, and NGOs.”

More information on graduate-level accreditations is available online at valpo.edu/grad or by calling (219) 464-5313.