Chairperson: Edward J. O'Brien, Ph.D.
The Department of Psychology and Counseling provides a range of programs designed to serve the interests and professional orientations of varied human service practitioners.
Specifically, the Department strives:
(l) To educate students in understanding the complexity of human behavior.
(2) To educate students to develop and implement intervention strategies to assist clients in attaining a higher quality of life.
(3) To facilitate students' understanding of the varied roles, obligations and ethics of human service providers.
(4) To develop competencies to critically evaluate research theory and practice in the human service field.
Programs have sufficient flexibility to permit individual students, under advisement, to plan part-time or full-time schedules appropriate to their individual needs and professional priorities. Competencies are developed through formal courses, independent study and extensive supervised practica and internships, both on and off campus.

Student advisement and staffing are essential components of the overall training program. Trainee progress is monitored by the faculty during periodic staffing sessions. In order to acquire the required competencies, a student may need more than the minimum credits required.

The department has a long tradition of preparing professionals for service in the educational setting. Educational Specialist certificates and/or degree programs are available in secondary school counseling, elementary school counseling and school psychology. Those interested in a broader area of service may consider the Master of Arts in Counseling with an applied emphasis in diverse settings. Also available is a concentration in clinical services leading to the Master of Arts in Psychology. Other psychology degree options are available for those who wish to develop a systematic understanding of human behavior for purposes of self-enrichment, pre-doctoral preparation and other related purposes.

Graduates of the Department of Psychology and Counseling have enjoyed excellent career opportunities and placements. Graduates are employed in institutions of higher education, community mental health agencies and elementary or secondary schools throughout the eastern United States. In addition, a number of graduates are doctoral students continuing their education at major universities in the United States (Texas Tech, University of Missouri, University of Connecticut, Brandeis University, Florida Institute of Technology, Penn State, etc.).

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