Program Objectives

Following from our view of contemporary practice, we have identified six objectives for our students. These objectives are designed to promote the development of proficiency in culturally competent problem solving. As students progress through the program, we expect:

1. Competence in addressing the needs of children, families, and schools with respect to issues of race, class, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and disabilities.
    
2. Competence in using problem solving practices leading to data-based decision making and evidence-based interventions at the individual, group, systems, and policy levels.
    
3. Proficient skills in the areas of assessment, collaborative problem solving, prevention, mental health counseling, behavioral intervention, and consultation that is culturally informed.
    
4. Competence in evaluating research evidence (from the professional literature and from their own practice) for intervention planning, program development, and evaluation, with an awareness of the social and political context of all research activity.
    
5. Competence in ethical, legal and responsible practice encompassing a moral and ethical commitment to addressing inequities in schools.
    
6. Integration of coursework, field experiences, research skill, and technology into a developing knowledge base that informs practical solutions to school based problems.