Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

William James College (Formerly Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology),^[1] is a graduate college of psychology founded in 1974 in the Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood of West Roxbury. The school relocated to the neighboring town of Newton in 2012. With nearly 700 students, William James College offers seventeen graduate academic degree programs and one academic graduate certificate across four departments: Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Organizational and Leadership Psychology, and School Psychology. William James College has three centers: the Brenner Center for Psychological Assessment and Testing,^[2] Freedman Center for Child and Family Development^[3] and the Lucero Center for Latino Mental Health Program.^[4]

Educational approach

MSPP uses an experiential education model, which combines academic instruction with supervised clinical experience. Students are in the field beginning in the first year, and are placed in various local field facilities including social service agencies, schools, hospitals, community mental health centers, child guidance clinics, court clinics, college counseling centers, private agencies and corporate settings.^[5]

Specialty areas

The Lucero Latino Mental Health Training Program is a concentration open to students from many of the graduate programs, specializing in the specific mental health needs of Latino patients or clients.^[6] The Dr. Cynthia Lucero Center, which sponsors the concentration in Latino Mental Health, was founded by the friends and family of the late Dr. Cynthia Lucero, a graduate of MSPP.^[7] Lectures and scholarships in Cynthia’s memory are also sponsored by the Lucero Center.^[8] The academic concentration provides relevant coursework and summer immersion programs in Costa Rica and Ecuador focused on improving Spanish language skills and exposure to Latino cultures through community service mental health work.

One distinguishing MSPP program is designed to Train Vets to Treat Vets.^[9] Recently awarded a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, MSPP is working to recruit veterans and train them to meet the mental health needs of their fellow service men and women. MSPP participates in the Veteran’s Administration Yellow Ribbon Program and provides matching grant assistance to eligible veterans.^[10]

MSPP also has special training programs in child and adolescent mental health.^[11][12]

Academic programs

Clinical Psychology

• Clinical Psychology Psy.D ^[13]

Counseling Psychology

• Counseling Psychology, MA ^[14]
• Counseling Psychology and Community Mental Health, MA ^[15]
• Counseling Psychology and Primary Care, MA ^[16]
• Forensic and Counseling Psychology, MA (Blended)^[17]

Organizational and Leadership Psychology

• Leadership Psychology, PsyD (Blended).^[18] See also an explanation of Leadership Psychology
• Media Psychology MA. See also definition of media psychology.
• Applied Psychology: Higher Education Student Personnel Administration, MA (Online)^[19]
• Counseling Psychology and Global Mental Health, MA ^[20]
• Organizational Psychology, MA (Blended, Online)^[21]
• Executive Coaching, Graduate Certificate (Blended) ^[22]

School Psychology

• School Psychology, PsyD ^[23]
• School Psychology, MA/CAGS ^[24]

Accreditation

MSPP is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)^[25] and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).^[26] The MA/CAGS in School Psychology is an approved program by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).^[27]

Continuing and community education

MSPP offers professional continuing education for psychologists,^[28] social workers, nurses, mental health counselors, school psychologists, counselors, other mental health professionals, educators, businessmen and women, psychotherapists, and the community.

In addition, the Freedman Center for Child and Family Development, offers courses for parents.^[29]

Notes and references

External links

• School Website
• MSPP Continuing Education Website
• Freedman Center for Child and Family Development
• Brenner Center for Psychological Assessment and Consultation
• Dr. Cynthia Lucero Center