The Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (MSPP)
integrates rigorous academic instruction with extensive field
education and close attention to professional development. We
assume an ongoing social responsibility to create programs that
educate specialists of many disciplines to meet the evolving
mental health needs of society.
The curriculum honors the best academic traditions of psychology
and provides a thorough and comprehensive grounding in the
knowledge base in the breath and depth of applications that
define the discipline. At the same time, the curriculum is
reflective of the latest trends in the field, and is flexible and
responsive to continuing developments in the profession. MSPP
also prepares graduates for strong positions in the marketplace
of psychological services.
MSPP is accredited by the American Psychological Association
(APA), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Inc.
and authorized by the Board of Regents of Higher Education of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts to grant degrees.
This PsyD program is one of the premiere APA-approved clinical
psychology programs in the nation. The program features full and
careful integration of academic theory and field practice
throughout each of the four academic years. This model enables
students to develop theoretical knowledge and applied skills
simultaneously, as these two areas are reliant on each other.
Taught by an experienced practitioner faculty, the program does
not advocate any single theoretical orientation. Rather, it
provides students with a general knowledge base of theory and
practice.
During the first two years of study, the curriculum focuses on a
solid foundation for psychological practice offered through core
and elective courses.
Beginning in the third year, students may continue the general
training or select a pre-doctoral concentration track in:
The doctoral project, which students pursue in their fourth year,
reflects each student's individual interests and represents the
culmination of academic and field work experience.
Master of Arts (MA) in Professional Psychology - Certificate of
Advanced Study in School Psychology
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In the MSPP tradition, the school psychology program emphasizes
the acquisition of advanced clinical skills by integrating formal
studies and rich field experiences.
The program consists of 2 years of course work and coordinated
field placements, followed by a year-long internship and
supervision seminar.
This program trains students to assume expanding roles and
functions to assist children, families, schools and communities
deal with problems of learning, adjustment and development.
Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology
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This 60-credit, 2-year, full-time program features an extensive,
expertly supervised, field training component. It prepares
students to serve clients in settings such as:
- Mental health centers
- Residential programs
- Hospitals
- Substance abuse programs
- Government agencies
- Faith communities
Advanced course work enables the student to specialize in such
areas as:
- Community psychology
- Substance abuse
- Trauma
- Child and adolescent psychology
- Geropsychology
- Spirituality
Master of Arts (MA) in Forensic Psychology
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Designed with the working professional in mind, this program
offer's a blended approach to learning combining online courses
and monthly weekend seminars. The Master of Arts in Forensic
Psychology program prepares individuals to function as
professional licensed mental health counselors (LMHC). It is an
excellent choice for those interested in working in such settings
as:
- Court clinics
- Forensic units
- Correctional facilities
- Child advocacy centers
- Forensic assessment and treatment facilities
This is a 2-year program with core requirements in areas such as
law and mental health, counseling theory and technique, diversity
and cross cultural psychology as well as community consultation.
As with other MSPP programs, there is an intensive clinical
training component in each year of the program.
Master of Arts (MA) in Organizational Psychology
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This program is an intensive 12-month, 30-credit degree program
designed for working professionals who desire to expand, deepen
and sharpen their skills in leading and sustaining changes in
organizations. Each course is scheduled to begin at an onsite
monthly intensive weekend which is followed by an integrated set of
online and distance learning modules to accommodate the work
and family schedules of students.
This program is designed for early to mid-career professionals
from a range of educational and work backgrounds. It is geared
for practitioners within organizations and external consultants
who want a greater theoretical foundation and intensive practice
in organizational psychology.
Minimum requirements are a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of
Arts degree and at least 2 years of training or experience in
business and a background in one of the following areas:
- Human resources
- Organizational development
- Organizational training
- Management
- Education
- Psychology
- Social work
Or in a related area of:
- Business
- Education
- Mental health
Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Psychopharmacology
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This is a 2-year program designed to prepare licensed, practicing
health care providers in psychology, nursing, social work and
pharmacy to work more effectively in multi-disciplinary
collaborative health care teams.
Students have the option of taking the courses on the MSPP campus
or at home as distance learners. Graduates provide consultation
to prescribing physicians, nurses and other practitioners on
psychotropic medications. Classes meet selected Fridays and
Saturdays.
Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching
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MSPP has the only graduate school program in executive coaching
in New England. A 2-year, part-time program, it provides a rich
mix of the following:
- Psychology
- Business
- Organizational development
- Coaching theory
- Principles and practices
- Assessment
In the first year of study, students gain an exceptionally strong
foundation of cutting-edge knowledge. This broad base of
knowledge will serve as a springboard to the second year of study
when students develop and refine their coaching skills according
to their individual needs and interests.
Students enter the program in January as a class composed of
professionals from varied disciplines who share the goal of
becoming outstanding executive coaches.
Certificate in Respecialization - Clinical Psychology
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The respecialization program is open to qualified individuals who
already hold a doctorate in psychology in one area, such as
developmental or experimental, who wish to make a lateral change
to clinical psychology. In accordance with APA guidelines, the
program is not appropriate for individuals who hold doctoral
degrees in another field, for example guidance counseling.
Each respecialization student receives an individually designed
program based on their previous academic and clinical experience
with careful attention to the current licensing requirements in
Massachusetts.
Respecialization students take courses with our PsyD students and
participate in the same practica and internship training. The
length of the program varies, depending on factors such as the
recentness of your doctorate and the pace at which you move
through the program.
Certificate in Latino Mental Health
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This is an innovative and one-of-a-kind Latino mental health
program that trains students across MSPP programs in the cultural
and linguistic aspects of serving Spanish-speaking populations.
It is comprised of intensive language training in a
Spanish-speaking country during two consecutive summers,
extensive clinical training in field placements serving Latino
patients, a clinical seminar conducted in Spanish, and a variety
of core and elective courses.
This program also provides the opportunity for Latino students to
expand their cultural training in a Spanish-speaking country
different from their own cultural heritage.
