Examining Pre-service Consultation Training in NASP-Approved Graduate Programs in School Psychology

Presenter Information

Brittany A. Foster, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Isaiah F. Biesanz, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Jacy N. Kraayenbrink, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Patricia D. Hopkins, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Jessica A. Day, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 253/4/5

Start Date

5-4-2010 1:00 PM

End Date

5-4-2010 3:00 PM

Student's Major

Psychology

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Carlos Panahon

Mentor's Department

Psychology

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

School consultation is a problem solving process in which a teacher seeks the help of a consultant regarding an academic or behavioral problem a student is exhibiting. The classroom teacher receives recommendations from the consultant pertaining to problems within the classroom. Consultation has been identified as a preferred activity by school psychology practitioners. However, several studies examining pre-service training in consultation have reported large percentages of practitioners as rating their graduate training as being less than adequate. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine current consultation requirements within school psychology graduate training programs. All graduate programs in school psychology approved by the National Association of School Psychologist were evaluated. Information pertaining to the number of courses and number of practicum hours required by each program was collected. Data were analyzed by the type of degree offered and the program’s geographic region. The results provide current information pertaining to pre-service consultation training. The results of this evaluation will be beneficial to undergraduate students seeking information regarding graduate training in school psychology. In addition, graduate programs in school psychology may use this information to improve the quality of training their students receive in consultation.