Note: The structure, requirements, policies and procedures of the M.A. Program are subject to change without prior notice. For questions and/or inquiries, email the Graduate Assistant at: psychgrad@wpunj.edu or contact Dr. Bruce J. Diamond, Graduate Program Director. Phone: (973) 720-3400. Email:diamondb@wpunj.edu.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE PROGRAM

The Graduate Program will continue to provide a clinical and research experience which 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 are enhancing our offerings and strength in the area of clinical health psychology. 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.

Graduate Program

We are in the process of developing a program that offers students flexibility and choice. We anticipate that students can either choose to participate in a 35-credit core program or a 47-credit program with optional modules in research or clinical training. The 35-credit core program will be appropriate for individuals seeking: 1) re-specialization in the area of clinical health; 2) an academic Master’s program without applied experience; or 3) 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 Post-Master's certification requires passing a national examination and meeting the required number of hours of supervised testing). The 47-credit program provides additional training for individuals who wish to pursue a clinical or research-oriented career or who want to pursue Doctoral-level work. The clinical and research modules will culminate in a clinical or research project. 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. Opportunities for eLearning (i.e., Distance Learning) will be provided in select courses.

PURPOSE OF THE GRADUATE PROGRAM

The purpose of the graduate program is to prepare students who are knowledgeable in clinical, health and counseling theory, empiricism, assessment and in the application of clinical and research techniques and procedures, and who are ethically, socially, and culturally sensitive and motivated to continue to learn and further the development of their skills and knowledge throughout their professional lives. The Graduate Program is committed to attracting highly qualified individuals with excellent academic skills and who have clinical, applied or human services experience or demonstrate potential in becoming competent, caring and ethically responsible clinicians and researchers.

Mission Statement of the Program

We seek to train clinicians 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 pass 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.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The curriculum consists of courses that emphasize the theoretical, empirical and applied aspects of clinical health practice and research. Supervised clinical or research activities enhance clinical and research skills enabling students to apply theories, empirical finding, clinical competencies and researhc methods in diverse real-world settings.

Graduates and interns have and will serve 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.

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 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 including summers). Full-time students may not be employed for more than 20 hours per week. As much as possible, courses will be offered in consecutive time slots 2 to 3 days per week, in the late afternoon and evening slots, as well as during the summer.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

The minimum requirements for admission to the program are:

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

2. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a master's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.

3. A minimum score of 500 on the verbal or quantitative and 5.0 on the analytic sections of the Graduate Record Examination.

4. A personal statement that addresses your goals and values, your hopes and aspirations and what has prepared you for this training. If there have been any changes in the direction of your life, please clarify.

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 or Experimental Design

- Developmental Psychology

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

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

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 deadline for application for the Fall semester is May 1st. However, early admission is considered for highly qualified candidates, and late applications are considered on a discretionary basis.

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

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

GRADUATE FACULTY

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

B.A. Plymouth State College

M. Ed. Harvard Graduate School of Education

Ph.D. New York UniversityLicensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

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

Laura Cramer-Berness, Ph.D.

B.A. Rutgers University

M.A. Binghamton University - SUNY

Ph.D. Binghamton University - SUNY

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 articles and a chapter and has presented 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 Psychologist

Specializes in clinical neuropsychology and rehabilitation. His research is in cognitive and clinical neuroscience. He has published in numerous respected journals, has written a number of chapters and has presented at many national and international conferences.

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

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

E-mail: map@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room 253

Phone: (973)720-3403

Robin Nemeroff, Ph.D.

B.A. Amherst College

Ph.D. Columbia University

Licensed Psychologist

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

C. Michael Nina, Ph.D.

B.A. Columbia College/University, New York , NY

M.S. Ed Queens College/CUNY, New York , NY

Ph.D . New York University

Licensed Psychologist

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Specializes in counselor training, career development and multicultural issues. He has published and presented at several conferences.

E-mail: ninac@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room 230

Phone: (973)720-3397

Kathleen Torsney, Ph.D.

B.A. Georgetown University

M. Ed. Columbia University

Ph.D. Columbia University

Licensed Psychologist

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

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

E-mail: tornseyk@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room 262

Phone: (973) 720-3395

Tim VanderGast, Ph.D

B.A. Dominican College of Blauvelt

M.A. UNC Charlotte

Ph.D. UNC Charlotte

National Certified Counselor

Specializes in working with and training students in the area of play therapy. He has interests in multiculturalism, especially in the Asian American population and hehas presented at several national conferences in counseling and has several papers under review.Email: VanderGastT@wpunj.edu

Office: Science Hall, Room 266

Phone: (973) 720-2471

Program Flexibility

Classes are small and afford a close working relationship with faculty and fellow students. In addition, 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. However, students are supported in a variety of ways. The program's flexibility allows students to 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 mid-afternoon and early eveing time slots as well as during the summer. Disatnce learning (eLearning) will provide additional flexibility for select courses. Practicum placements are arranged individually. Students may opt to complete this program on either a full-time (two years including summers) or a part-time basis. Please contact us regarding part-time program availability. 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.

Graduate Courses

Application

Graduate Office

Newsletter

Speakers Forum