The program provides a scientific knowledge base and develops professional psychological skills necessary to work with children, adolescents, and families from diverse backgrounds in a variety of school and community agencies. The program at SIUE is unusual in several important ways in that it anticipated many future developments in school psychology. It is based on the principles of community psy
chology, which emphasizes prevention, the ecological/systems approach, and the consultative role of the psychologist. Further, the program integrated the education of school and clinical psychologists. Finally, field experiences both in clinical and school settings are seen as critical and ongoing adjunct to the academic component of the program. The program includes two tracks - Clinical Child and School Psychology - designed to serve the needs of two groups of students. One group will be prepared to work with children, adolescents, and their families in the health system and other community agencies under the supervision of licensed clinical psychologists. A second group will obtain knowledge and skills as preparation for further education and training in the specialist degree program in School Psychology. Students pursuing certification in school psychology are admitted to the master's degree program with the expectation that they will go on the complete the specialist degree program in school psychology.
