M.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology

Announcements

Please visit us at the following locations and events for additional information

***Find us on facebook***

PLEASE JOIN US for our

Clinical & Counseling Psychology

Graduate Open House

June 11th, 2013

Location: University Commons,  4pm

 

***The Master's Program in Clinical and Counseling Psychology will begin processing applications for the Fall 13 semester beginning September 1st 2012.

For questions and/or inquiries, email:

      Graduate Assistant at: psychgrad@wpunj.edu

Phone: (973) 720-3629

or

Dr. Bruce J. Diamond, Graduate Program Director       

Email:diamondb@wpunj.edu.

 

Clinical Suite and Research Labs

 Clinical Research is being conducted in a variety of areas including:

Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Minor TBI, Depression/Anxiety, Dementia, Normal Aging, Pediatrics,Coping with Cancer, Multi-culturalism and a variety Neurologic/Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Contact us for additional information

 psychgrad@wpunj.edu

Phone: (973) 720-3629

 

Note: The structure, requirements, policies and procedures of the M.A. Program are subject to change without prior notice.

The Graduate Program in Clinical and Counseling Psychology has moved into our new and renovated facilities in Science Hall-East. These facilities include modern clinical, research and teaching spaces. The new resources will enhance the program and the experiences that our students receive. Included in these new resources is a state-of-the-art :  "Clinical Teaching Suite" for training, monitoring, recording and conducting clnical sessions. 

If you would like to visit and tour the facilities please use the contact information above.

 

Accreditation

Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) (MPAC)

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE PROGRAM

The Graduate Program provides a clinical and research experience that emphasizes both a theoretical and applied perspective with sensitivity to ethical and cross-cultural issues. In addition to our traditional strength in clinical and counseling psychology, we also have strengths in the areas of health psychology, cross-cultural psychology and in neuropsychology. Our focus is and will be on understanding, preventing and treating disorders, diseases and dysfunctions that compromise mental and physical health by fostering knowledge and understanding of the diagnosis, etiology and biopsychosocial factors that contribute to the onset, progression and consequences of these disorders across the lifespan at the individual and group level.

Moreover, we are committed to attracting highly qualified individuals with excellent academic skills who have clinical, applied or human services experience or demonstrate potential in becoming competent, caring and ethically responsible clinicians and/or researchers.

PURPOSE AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

We seek to train clinicians and  professional counselors who are ethically, socially, and culturally sensitive; who are well-trained and competitive in pursuing their career aspirations; and who are motivated to continue learning and furthering the development of their skills throughout their professional careers. Toward this end, the program:

1. Emphasizes the ethical responsibility of practitioners to be knowledgeable and up-to-date in their understanding of behavior, psychopathology, health-related behaviors, therapeutic applications, and research on new or evolving interventions and techniques; to continually improve and re-examine their sensitivities to social and cultural issues among clientele; and to know their limitations and seek consultation, supervision or referral as appropriate.

2. Gives priority to the highest level of program and course content in teaching, clinical supervision and research and in helping to provide and support quality internship experiences in order to enhance student learning and training.

3. Enhances knowledge and skills and emphasizes the importance of research, continuing education and informed interpretation of new findings and approaches. Courses stress the value of critical thinking, reflection, intellectual independence, scholarship and an appreciation for staying current with research and appropriately evaluating research relevance for everyday life activities.

4. Requires the student to submit either a comprehensive master’s project (in which he or she presents a clinical project in writing and integrates relevant empirical, theoretical, social, ethical, cultural, diagnostic and therapeutic issues in the discussion) or a research project that makes an original contribution to the literature.

REASONS FOR APPLYING

Our program provides a foundation for developing clinical, counseling and research competencies that emphasizes both theory and application from a biopsychosocial and cross-cultural perspective.

We offer a flexible program consisting of a core 48-credits that can be combined with 12 additional elective credits (total of 60 credits) for students wishing to pursue LAC/LPC credentials or those who seek in-depth background in an area(s) of interest.

The program is appropriate for individuals who are interested in the following areas:

1) Clinical and Research Careers: Clinical work with a Master's degree only, can be performed under licensed supervision in agencies, clinics, hospitals, government, for-profit or not-for-profit industry and research can be conducted in varied government, for-profit or not-for-profit settings.

2) Re-specialization: In the areas of clinical  and research skill development.

3) Psychometrist: a program of study that would support eligibility for certification as a psychometrist (a professional who administers and scores psychological and neuropsychological tests under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or neuropsychologist).This certification requires students to pass a national examination and meet the required number of supervised hours and

4) Doctoral Program Preparation: A theoretical, clinical and research foundation for pursuing a Doctoral degree in the area of Clinical and/or Counseling Psychology and related areas.

5) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): Academic and clinical work completed in this program plus 12 additional credits in appropriate areas, completion of all state mandated requirements and passing the appropriate examinations may satisfy the requirements for the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials.  

INTERNSHIP & JOB SETTINGS

Graduates and interns have served in a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient settings including hospitals, community mental health clinics, wellness centers, health maintenance facilities, local, regional, national and international health care organizations, group homes, drug treatment facilities, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities and gerontology programs. Under proper licensed supervision, graduates of our program are able to conduct assessments; provide clinical and health-related services to individuals, groups and families using appropriate diagnostic and intervention techniques; participate in institutional and organizational research projects at the Master’s level and work on an elective basis with a variety of populations (e.g., chronic and acute diseases and disorders, children, adolescents, the elderly, the severely mentally ill, the neurologically impaired, substance abusers, and others). It should be noted that in order to become a “Psychologist”, a Doctoral-level degree is required and licensing by an appropriate state licensing board.

CAREERS

We will provide a pedagogically and clinically sound program that prepares our students for careers as Master’s level clinicians, researchers and/or psychometrists. Graduates will be trained so that they can provide clinical services under licensed supervision, work as researchers or in human services, teach at the university level or seek certification as psychometrists. In addition, the program will offer a unique foundation for candidates pursuing doctoral-level study.Students may opt to complete this program on either a full-time (two years including summers) or part-time basis (three to five years).

PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY

The program will try to provide sufficient flexibility so that students can pursue a graduate education while they balance other roles in their lives. Courses will be offered in consecutive time slots 2 to 3 days per week, beginning in late-afternoon and early eveing time slots. Practicum placements are arranged individually. Students may opt to complete this program on either a full-time (two years) or a part-time basis. Please contact us regarding part-time program availability. We hope to provide distance learning (eLearning) opportunities for select courses.

It is strongly recommended that full time students not be employed for more than twenty hours per week. Students may change from a full-time to a part-time status or vice versus, depending upon their needs. However, if they do so, they should be aware that each course is offered during a particular term, and that not all courses are available at all times. This program is rigorous and places heavy demands on the students' time. Students should very carefully plan their various personal and professional responsibilities, so that they can make the most of their training without undue pressure.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

The minimum requirements for admission to the program are:

1. A bachelor's degree and transcript from an accredited college or university.

2. A cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all degree work.

3. A 50th percentile score or higher on the verbal, quantitative and analytic sections of the Graduate Record Examination, taken within the last five years, is required of all applicants.

4. A personal statement that addresses ALL of  the following:

1. What has led you to pursue a career in clinical and counseling psychology?
2. What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses and how will they impact your ability to attain your academic and professional goals?
3. Why does this program represent a good fit for you?

5. A curriculum vitae

6. Three professional recommendations from individuals who know you well. (preferably drawn from academic and clinical/human service areas).

7. An undergraduate background that includes the following courses:

- General Psychology

- Abnormal Psychology

- Statistics/ Experimental Design

- Developmental Psychology

A course in Biopsychology, Physiological Psychology, General Biology or Anatomy and Physiology would enhance an applicant's credentials.

8. An interview will be required (or an alternative where an on-site interview is not feasible).

9. We strongly recommend that applicants who have aspirations for Doctoral-level work or who have  specialized clinical and/or research interests should review faculty background, clinical and research experience in order to identify professors with whom they would like to work.

Deficiencies in preparation may be made up in consultation with the Program Director and Graduate Admissions Committee

As part of the application process, a criminal background check will be completed. Generally, students must be formally admitted into the program in order to take our courses. However, non-matriculated students may, under special circumstances, be allowed to enroll in Graduate courses.

The priority deadline for applications is March 1st for the Fall semester but applications will be accepted until May 1st. Applications after this deadline will be considered on a discretionary basis.. Early admission is considered for highly qualified candidates.

A maximum of 6 credits from an accredited institution can be transferred at the discretion of the Graduate Committe.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The Office of Graduate Admissions provides Assistantships for select and highly qualified students. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions regarding assistanships.

Please send original copies of all  materials to the Graduate Admissions Office.

 

GRADUATE FACULTY

Jane Austin, M. Ed., Ph.D.

B.A. Plymouth State College, Plymouth, NH

M. Ed. Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA

Ph.D. New York University, NY, NY

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-NJ)

Specializes in health psychology, trauma, and women's issues. She has published in a number of respected journals and presented at national conferences.

E-mail: austinj@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room Phone: (973) 720-2472   

 

Laura Cramer-Berness, Ph.D.

B.A. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

M.A. Binghamton University - SUNY, Binghamton, NY

Ph.D. Binghamton University - SUNY, Binghamton, NY

Specializes in clinical and pediatric psychology. Her research interests include pain management, infant/child pain behaviors, and parental coping. She has published a number of manuscripts and a chapter as well as presenting at national conferences.

E-mail: bernessl@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room 232

Phone: (973) 720-3936                   

 

Bruce J. Diamond, M.Ed., Ph.D.

B.A. Ohio State University

M.Ed. Smith College

Ph.D. University of Manchester, UK

Licensed Neuropsychologist (NJ)

Specializes in clinical neuropsychology and neurorehabilitation. His research is in neuropsychology cognitive neuroscience  and clinical outcomes using  paper-pencil, computer-based and brain imaging and autonomic techniques in order to examine memory, executive function, attention, information processing and mood in clinical and healthy populations. He has published in numerous respected journals, has written a number of chapters and has presented at many national and international conferences. For additional information follow link below or paste in browser for more information on research. Research assistantship opportunities are available.

http://www.wpunj.edu/cohss/departments/psychology/faculty/diamond/diamond.dot

E-mail: diamondb@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room 240

Phone: (973) 720-3400

 

Pei-Wen Winnie Ma, Ph.D.

B.A. University of Washington, Seattle, WA

M.A. University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Ph.D Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY

Licensed Psychologist (NY)

Specializes in multicultural issues affecting Asian American acculturation, mental health and career development issues. She has a number of publications and conference presentations.

E-mail: map@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room 253

Phone: (973)720-3403 

 

Jan Mohlman, M.S.,  Ph.D.

B.A. University of  California, Los Angeles,  LA, CA

M.S. University of  Oregon, Eugene, OR

Ph.D University of  Oregon, Eugene, OR

Licensed Psychologist (NY)

Specializes in understanding the etiology, course and treatment of anxiety disorders across the  life-span and in investigating brain-behavior relationships in psychopathology.She has a number of publications and conference presentations.

E-mail: mohlmanj@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room

Phone: (973)720-3397 

Robin Nemeroff, Ph.D.

B.A. Amherst College, Amherst, MA

Ph.D. Columbia University, NY, NY

Licensed Psychologist (NY)

Specializes in community interventions, mind-body approaches to well-being and lifespan issues. She has published a number of articles and chapters and presented at national conferences.

E-mail: nemeroffr@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room 253

Phone: (973)720-2249

 

David Rivera, Ph.D.

B.A. University of  Wyoming

Ph.D. Teachers College, Columbia University, NY, NY

Specializes in issues impacting the marginalization and health of people of Color and sexual minorities, such as the manifestation and impact of microaggressions.He has published and presented at a number of national conferences.

E-mail: riverad30@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room 2050

Phone: (973)720-3393

 

Kathleen Torsney, Ph.D.

B.A. Georgetown University, Washington, DC

M. Ed. Columbia University, NY, NY

Ph.D. Columbia University, NY, NY

Licensed Psychologist (NJ)

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-NJ)

Specializes in gerontology, addictions, serious and persistent psychiatric disorders, and neuropsychology. A practicing clinician, she has also published and presented at national and international conferences.

E-mail: tornseyk@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room 262

Phone: (973) 720-3395

 

Graduate Courses

Application

Graduate Office

Newsletter

Speakers Forum