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NSU’s College of Psychology prepares students for the complex demands of professional life.

The College of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University has a strong history and a vibrant presence in the community. With a broad spectrum of degrees, the College of Psychology serves a large number of students, yet we remain very approachable. Our outstanding faculty members care about each student, and they have a wealth of expertise to share.

Our students work alongside our faculty and staff to strengthen the broader community with psychological services. Whether a current student or simply a person in need, we are here for you.

Why NSU?

  • Our distinguished faculty engages in a wide range of research and clinical specializations.
  • The programs feature faculty mentorship in small classes.
  • Student involvement in research can lead to professional presentations and publications.
  • Students learn the social, cognitive, developmental, and biological foundations of human behavior and applications to improving quality of life.
  • Psychology Clinics offer a competitive edge, immersing students in real-world professional situations that enhance clinical skills.
  • Online or part time formats for selected undergraduate and masters programs, make education accessible.
  • Students engage in community-centered services, programs, and activities.
  • Many graduate programs lead to licensure, certification or broader experience.
  • Psychology students learn the communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills valued in today's workplace.

NSU

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Traditionally, the training model for clinical psychologists has focused on training the graduate student first as a scientist and second as a practitioner. However, with the growing need in society for practitioners, many graduate students have elected to enter directly into the clinical services arena rather than academics or research. Consequently, in the 1960s, proposed alternate training procedures led to the development of programs emphasizing a practitioner informed by science model. This model was officially endorsed at the APA Vail Conference in 1973 as a more viable foundation for the education and training of individuals preparing to enter careers concerned primarily with direct delivery of psychological services and professional practice, as opposed to the research-oriented training they had been receiving.

The primary goal of the Psy.D. program is to offer academic, practicum, internship, and research experience directly relevant to the practitioner, while retaining the important scientific base upon which professional competence and knowledge rest. One goal of the curriculum is to prepare students to be lifelong consumers of research.

Clinical skills are molded by a sequence of courses in assessment and intervention, both in theory and practice. These courses are supplemented by a variety of practicum experiences, which include intensive supervision. The Psy.D. curriculum expertly trains students to perform as clinicians, public and private practitioners, supervisors, mental health consultants, instructors of clinical psychology, administrators of human service programs, and members of research teams. The degree of expertise in these various specialties, of course, is contingent upon the individual's educational concentrations, training exposures, and career aspirations.

There are four specific program goals. The successful graduate of the Psy.D. program is required to:

  • Goal 1: Demonstrate understanding of the breadth of scientific psychology
  • Goal 2: Demonstrate understanding of the foundations of practice in clinical psychology 
  • Goal 3: Demonstrate entry-level clinical skills and competencies necessary for effective work in practitioner informed by science roles 
  • Goal 4: Understand and apply research methods and statistics to inform professional practice

Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology

The world doesn’t change through imagination alone. That’s why our students engage in a proven combination of research-based classes and extensive, hands-on clinical experiences.

The Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology is based on a scientist-practitioner training model. Accordingly, its goals are to train future psychologists to (1) understand the core science areas of the discipline, (2) contribute to the knowledge base through active scholarship and research that focuses on evaluating, developing, and scientifically examining theories and methods of assessment, intervention, and other applied aspects of professional practice, (3) understand foundations for the practice of clinical psychology, and (4) employ skills in evidence based assessment and intervention techniques for effective and meaningful service to diverse individuals, groups, and communities. Inherent in these goals is our educational philosophy that psychology is a scientific discipline rooted in empirical investigation, and that professional practice includes both advancing such inquiry and applying its results.

It is our view that the clinical psychologist will contribute most to society when trained for the roles of both scientist and practitioner. Hence, the focus of the program is on the empirical investigation of current topics and problems in clinical psychology, with a particular emphasis on the development of sophistication in applied clinical research. This research frequently involves the development and investigation of innovative assessment and intervention methods. The research training culminates in the dissertation, a mentored research project proposed to and defended before a faculty committee. Integrated with research training is a graduated sequence of courses and experiences with clinical populations in supervised practica. Altogether, the program prepares the graduate to assume the roles of academician, researcher, and practicing clinical psychologist.

There are four broad program goals. The successful graduate of the program is expected to:

  • Goal 1. Demonstrate understanding of the breadth of scientific psychology
  • Goal 2. Produce clinically relevant scientific research and scholarship
  • Goal 3. Demonstrate understanding of the foundations of practice in clinical psychology
  • Goal 4. Demonstrate entry-level clinical skills and competencies necessary for effective work in scientist-practitioner professional roles 

There are some required courses (e.g., Diversity in Assessment & Intervention) that may require some personal disclosures by the student as part of the course requirements. 90inOther elective courses (e.g., Group Theory and Process) may require a higher level of ongoing self-disclosure as part of the class process.

Student Rachel Zachar at APA 2017

APA 2017

Program Aim

The aim of the doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) program in school psychology is to prepare graduates to serve the educational, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of the individuals, families, and educational personnel they serve. The program focuses on addressing, assessing, and evaluating attainment of the Profession-Wide Competencies (PWC) and Discipline-Specific Knowledge (DSK) as outlined by the Standards of Accreditation (SoA) of the American Psychological Association (APA) through the lens of the practitioner-informed-by-science training model.  For additional information regarding the Profession-Wide Competencies (PWC) and Discipline-Specific Knowledge (DSK) may be found by clicking on the following link.

Accreditation

The College of Psychology Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program in School Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. Questions related to the accredited status of the program should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
 American Psychological Association
 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
 Phone: 202-336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
 Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

 The doctoral program in school psychology is approved by the Florida Department of Education (DOE). In addition, the doctoral program in school psychology holds the designation of national Recognition by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and has been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The accreditation for this program is awarded to the university through the Fischler College of Education as follows: The Fischler College of Education at Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), www.ncate.org.

The doctoral curriculum is designed to be consistent with the Florida state licensure requirements as both a school psychologist and a psychologist under Chapter 490, Florida Statutes.

Specialist Program

The specialist program in school psychology is approved by the Florida Department of Education (DOE). In addition, the specialist program in school psychology holds the designation of national Recognition by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and has been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The accreditation for this program is awarded to the university through the Fischler College of Education as follows: The Fischler College of Education at Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs at all university locations and online. However, the accreditation does not include individual education courses that the institution offers to P-12 educators for professional development, re-licensure, or other purposes.

The school psychology program prepares graduate students to work as professional practitioners to help children and youth succeed academically, socially and behaviorally. Our program was developed in response to the state and national critical shortage of school psychologist and the increased public attention being paid to the important role that school psychologist play in addressing daunting challenges such as school violence, academic achievement of diverse students, etc.

The School Psychology Program consists of 79 credit hours that typically span over three years of coursework (including practica) and a full-time, one year internship. The curriculum is designed to meet the current educational requirements for the Florida DOE certification specialization in school psychology (Rule 6A-04311) and for licensure in school psychology under Chapter 490, Florida Statues. Students benefit from the expertise of full-time faculty whose primary interests are in the field of school psychology, 30 other full-time faculty members that include nationally renowned professionals, and several core part-time and adjunct faculty that work as practitioners or administrators in the schools. Students also enjoy the benefits of a diverse student body, hands on training and research opportunities in a variety of areas.

Scott Poland, Ed.D., and Jane Lazarus, Ed.S., talk about career options in School Psychology

School Psychology

The Master's Degree Program in General Psychology is a 30-credit online program that will prepare students to develop foundational knowledge in psychological theory and research. Local, national, and international students may select this M.S. degree as an opportunity to obtain prerequisite courses to meet eligibility requirements for application to other psychology programs, including advanced doctoral studies. Through its specialty tracks, the program will also allow a variety of professionals within the fields of education, human services, counseling, and allied health to access coursework both as degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students in order to advance their psychological knowledge and use of psychological applications in their respective fields. In addition to the direct benefit of obtaining foundational knowledge in psychology, the curriculum is designed to facilitate the development of basic interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and additional knowledge and skills that enhance the preparation of students for professional work in increasingly diverse social agencies, school and community settings, in business and industry environments, and in hospitals.

* Important Note:

 Graduate students who earn this degree will not have met the educational requirements for certification or licensure in the state of Florida and should not expect to provide psychological services as an independent practitioner. Applicants seeking licensure/certification should consider M.S. in Counseling, Psy.S. in School Psychology, Psy.D. in School Psychology, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology.

The Master of Science in Forensic Psychology is a 36-credit online program that provides students with insight into the intersection of psychology and legal issues. Students gain an understanding of what forensic psychologists do and will learn how to apply this training in a variety of professional contexts.

This degree program will provide students with the professional training necessary to function at an optimal level in a variety of forensic settings where psychology is used including: courts, law enforcement, criminal justice, national security offices, prisons, social services agencies, child welfare agencies, and treatment facilities.

Many students in our program have specialized in law, mental health or other health services and want to work in the forensic area. Others are interested in furthering their careers and assuming more senior level positions. Some of our students use this degree to make them more competitive when applying for a doctoral program.

The online format and non-clinical curriculum make the program an excellent option for working professionals needing to integrate graduate study with job responsibilities. The program also targets those living in rural or frontier areas in and outside the United States, those with limited or no access to this type of graduate level educational program, and individuals working non-traditional shift schedules, such as those in law enforcement, corrections, national security, and the military.

James Pann, Ph.D., talks PSY 0903

Forensic Psychology

The Master of Science in Experimental Psychology degree program at the College of Psychology provides students with a strong academic foundation in the theories and concepts of experimental psychology. Students are equipped with comprehensive skills in scientific inquiry and research methodology. These skills may prepare students for admission into a doctoral program in psychology or for career opportunities that include teaching and research in industrial, government, private consulting, health care, and community settings.

The college's Master of Science in Experimental Psychology degree program is offered on NSU's main campus.

Why Choose this Major?

We offer an exciting M.S. in Experimental Psychology program. Our courses are taught by energetic faculty who are actively involved with research in their areas of expertise. Our faculty members engage students in the classroom by discussing the latest research breakthroughs and in the laboratory by developing students' research skills.

Students gain experience by conducting independent research projects that advance our knowledge of human behavior. The goal of our program is to prepare our graduates for rewarding careers in psychology and for admission to psychology doctoral programs. By earning an M.S. in Experimental Psychology, our graduates become stronger candidates for competitive Ph.D. programs in a variety of areas of psychology and neuroscience.

Jaime Tartar, Ph.D., on the summer neuroscience training program

Jamie Tartar

College of Psychology Accreditation

The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The Psy.D. Program in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The Psychology Services Center Internship Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The South Florida Consortium Internship Program is accredited by the Commission on accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The Psy.D. Program in School Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association.

The college's master's degree program in school counseling and specialist and doctoral programs in school psychology are approved by the Florida Department of Education. In addition, the specialist program in school psychology holds the designation of National Recognition by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

The College of Psychology offers two programs, (1) the M.S. in School Counseling and (2) the Psy.S. in School Psychology, for practitioners in P-12 schools that have been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The accreditation for these programs is awarded to the university through the Fischler College of Education as follows: The Fischler College of Education at Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs at all university locations and online. However, the accreditation does not include individual education courses that the institution offers to P-12 educators for professional development, re-licensure, or other purposes.

NSU's Accreditation

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) to award associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, doctorate, and professional degrees.

For questions about the accreditation of Nova Southeastern University, contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; Telephone: (404) 679-4500.

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