Students and Alumni
Where Are Our Alumni Now?
Most of Minnesota State University Moorhead School Psychology Program graduates are working in schools in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and a number of other states (e.g., Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon) throughout the country. The job market is good for school psychologists in most parts of the USA. Our placement rate has been essentially 100 percent. We anticipate that the demand for school psychologists will remain high in coming years. Other graduates have advanced to doctoral programs or are working in private practice, community agencies or higher education institutions.
What do Students and Alumni Say About Our Program?
As stated by Heather Nelsen, Specialist graduate - "As a graduate student, I was fortunate to participate in the data collection for the American Indian Language and Culture Education Project in Moorhead Public School. In my position as Project Coordinator, I supervised several first-year graduate students in the administration of standardized achievement tests...Through the completion of my thesis project, I was able to apply my knowledge of research methodology and statistics that I had learned through formal coursework."
According to Kristi Fehr, MSUM alumna - "What comes to mind about my experience in the school psychology program at MSUM was the quality of the training. I felt prepared for my current occupation. While I learned a tremendous amount from all of the knowledge imparted about assessment, ethics, best practice, etc., I think it was equally helpful to hear the personal experiences and details from professors which occurred in their practices."
Comments from a survey of alumni included:
"The faculty are responsive to students, they know who the students are and are accessible. The program reflects NASP criteria, current graduates are knowledgeable and well-prepared."
"The school psychology program at MSUM is excellent. I encounter recent graduates of other programs who, I believe, probably could have never completed the MSUM program. Our training experience was excellent."
"One strength of the MSUM program is that it provides its students with a good base of knowledge regarding the world of school psychology. I was amazed with all the things we touched on in 2 years."
"MSUM provides a strong foundation in assessment and intervention."
"I really enjoyed the working relationship between staff and students. You provided a very professional atmosphere and great support."
Strengths of the program reported by alumni included:
- "Emphasis on cultural issues, faculty"
- "Size, faculty"
- "Assessment theory, training, and practice"
- "Integration of practica and classroom."
- "Strong faculty, challenging content, excellent course content; this program teaches students to work hard and manage their time"
- "Focus on multicultural issues and diversity of students we serve. Behavioral training was also strong and helpful in the schools. I appreciated early childhood opportunities"
- "Content, adherence to NASP training standards, high expectations, good faculty"