Message from the Chair

On behalf of the faculty of the Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology (CSEP), I am pleased to share some important information about who we are and what we do. These are challenging times in our schools and communities and mental health needs are growing faster than can be adequately addressed. It is time for us to work together to imagine new and different ways to address these mental health and educational concerns. Our mission is to inform and influence the fields of education, counseling and psychology through scholarship, teaching, consultation, clinical practice, community engagement and advocacy utilizing an equity and anti-racist lens in everything we do. Creating an advocacy mindset is critical to transforming our institutions and re-defining the work we must do. We want our students to be prepared and committed to meeting the needs of all through critically examining the barriers and biases that limit social change. We believe our graduates are well-positioned to make meaningful and consequential contributions to schools, universities, mental health centers, hospitals and other community-based institutions.

CSEP is a strong and vibrant community of students, staff, and faculty committed to engaging, advocating, and transforming the world around us. Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized scholars, educators, clinicians, and trainers. Our exceptional staff and clinical coordinators are dedicated to working with students to create an outstanding and meaningful educational experience. An appreciation for theory, practice, advocacy, and a commitment to making real-world impact are central to what we do. The education and training of students is a tremendous honor and opportunity for our department.

CSEP offers graduate degrees at both the master's and doctoral levels and advanced certificates, through a number of programs using both on-campus and online platforms to accommodate diverse needs.

We have two outstanding PhD programs: Counseling Psychology/School Psychology (accredited by the American Psychological Association) and Educational Psychology and Quantitative Methods that offer both scholarly and applied experiences to ensure that our doctoral students have the tools they need to positively affect the world around them.

Our master’s level programs in educational psychology and quantitative methods, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and school psychology provide exceptional opportunities for master’s students seeking to directly engage with community and societal challenges. You will discover that our school psychology program is certified by the National Association of School Psychologists; that there are strong job growth projections in the field of rehabilitation counseling, and that our rehabilitation program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs; and that graduates of our mental health counseling program, which is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), are license-eligible in New York State.

Our advanced certificate programs are also outstanding. Our advanced certificate in mindful counseling for wellness and engagement offers a unique educational experience that is both theoretical and applied. Our advanced certificate in applied statistical analysis provides opportunities for either doctoral or master’s level students to strengthen their career opportunities by strengthening their ability to analyze and apply statistical data.

We are very proud of the nationally and internationally renowned Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention, which is a central part of our department. The mission of the Alberti Center is to reduce bullying abuse in schools and in the community by contributing knowledge and providing evidence-based tools to effectively change the language, attitudes and behaviors of educators, parents, students and society.

Finally, I want to highlight CSEP’s undergraduate minor in counseling. This minor is a pre-professional series of courses that prepares students for entry-level positions in social service agencies or for graduate studies in counseling, psychology, social work or related helping professions. We are pleased by the popularity of this undergraduate minor at the University at Buffalo.

If you have any questions or want further information about CSEP, do not hesitate to reach out to me or any other CSEP faculty and staff members. We are always delighted to discuss the important work we are doing.

Sincerely,
Amy L. Reynolds, PhD
Chair and Professor