LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Rider University will be offering its first degrees beyond the masters level following the recent state approval of two new educational specialist (Ed.S.) programs in counseling services and school psychology.

Housed in the department of graduate education and human services within the College of Continuing Studies, the programs will be fully implemented by the 1998 fall semester and will allow students the unique opportunity to obtain an advanced degree as well as applicable professional certification and licensure.

The Ed.S. in counseling services supplements the current masters program designed to prepare students for positions in school, higher education counseling, student development, and community health. However, according to Dr. Jesse DeEsch (left), chair/assistant dean of education, the growth of managed mental health care has increased demand for licensed professional counselors with training beyond the masters level.

"In the current day of managed health care, the need for licensed counselors is essential," said Dr. DeEsch. "This is a meaningful chance for a terminal degree beyond a masters for practitioners in counseling services.

"The state requirement to receive a license in counseling services is 60 credit hours, while the requirement to obtain an Ed.S. degree is 66 credit hours," he added. "So for an extra six credits, a student can get a degree and have the required graduate credits for a license."

The field experience requirement of 300-600 hours, on top of the 700-hour minimum requirement for a masters degree in counseling services, provides an exceptional opportunity for real training on the job.

The Ed.S. in school psychology replaces the current certification program offered by Rider. Now, participating students will have the added opportunity to obtain an advanced degree without any additional study or field work beyond the current certification requirements. Recipients of this degree will have the knowledge and skills necessary for the ethical provision of school psychological services in a diverse society, and will be prepared to practice in school, hospital, or agency settings.

The program is particularly attractive in that Rider is the only institution in New Jersey that offers an Ed.S. in school psychology, and provides an extensive 1200-hour internship experience for students.

"There is no change in our school psychology program, except now students get a degree with state certification," said Dr. DeEsch. "In order to become a certified school psychologist, you need 66 credit hours. By coming to Rider, rather than just getting certification you now also get a degree."

Administrators have set a May 1, 1998 due date for admission applications for the fall semester. For more information, contact Rider University's College of Continuing Studies at (609) 896-5033.

Rider University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational institution with a 353-acre campus in Lawrenceville, NJ and a 23-acre campus in Princeton, NJ. The University offers 58 undergraduate programs and 15 graduate programs in business, liberal arts, science, education, and music. Ninety five percent of Rider's faculty members hold doctoral or other appropriate advanced degrees. U.S. News and World Report has again ranked Rider in the top tier of northern universities based on the quality of its programs.