Testimonials
Although I had experience working with children and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, I was not sure where to go from there. The school psychology program at Niagara University helped me find some answers. Coming from a small private undergraduate college, I knew that I wanted a graduate school that could provide small class sizes and personal attention. I found all this and more in the Niagara University School Psychology program. Niagara gave me the focus and the skills required to work as a professional in a school environment. An involved staff helped me pick up many skills in preparation for the future ranging from how to administer cognitive testing to consulting with families and professionals. Lectures, research, role-playing, and hands on experience have given me a rewarding and promising future as a school psychologist. Not only has this program given me focus toward a future, but it has helped me become a productive contributing member of society.
The words that come to mind when I describe The School Psychology Program at Niagara University are innovative, intensive, and competitive. Combine this with the luxury of a small class setting and this is what I feel sets NU's program apart from the others. In addition, the theories of education and background incorporated into the program curriculum are extensive and have provided me with the strong conceptual framework that must be mastered in order to excel in this profession. My journey at NU has been a challenging and exciting one, which I feel has confidently prepared me to begin my next journey into the workforce. The close relationships that have been fostered between my professors and fellow classmates have allowed me to grow personally as well as professionally. I believe these assets of Niagara’s close knit program will continue to influence me throughout my career.
When I think about my time in the Mental Health Counseling Program at Niagara University, I feel pride and gratitude. Through my classes, professors, and classmates, I learned specific counseling skills, techniques, theory, and mental health background; faced challenges that I did not know I could face; and received the great support that I needed to achieve my goals. The opportunity to intern at the college's counseling center gave me practical experience, while it solidified my career aspirations to work with college students. My former professors and internship supervisor supported me post graduation, and continue to offer career advice and encouraging words. The program gave me the knowledge, experience, and confidence to achieve my goal of being a "counselor" and a help to others. I am so happy and thankful that I chose this comprehensive education to enhance my life.
As a working professional in the criminal justice field as a domestic violence advocate/counselor, Niagara University’s program in Mental Health Counseling provided me with the necessary skills, education, and training to enhance my counseling techniques. Also, it gave me career mobility and advancement. The 60-hour structure program gives you the option to have a focus area; I chose the drug/alcohol and criminal justice components. The 1000 hours internship over the course of four semesters, gave me the skills and supervision that I needed to be an effective counselor. I was able to counsel various populations; such as the Mentally Ill, Chemically Addicted (MICA) and forensics. This program has not only prepared me to be a mental health counselor but also for the coursework requirements for licensure in New York State and nationally. As a result of a small interactive setting, I was able to foster relationships with my fellow classmates, professors, and mental health professionals.
