Why choose psychology or counseling at Rider
Rider offers exceptional CACREP and NASP-accredited graduate degrees and certificates. We provide you with a dynamic, innovative and relevant education to fit your career goals.
Small class sizes
Flexible learning options
Supportive faculty
Master of Arts in Applied Psychology (ABA)
Teaches students principles to solve performance problems, build new behaviors and strengthen existing appropriate behaviors, as well as gain a compassionate understanding of individual differences.
Educational Specialist in School Psychology
Develop the skills and expertise in Rider’s nationally ranked school psychology program to help children with emotional, behavioral and academic challenges across diverse backgrounds.
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Gain the foundational knowledge and training to obtain licensure and enter rewarding careers within the clinical mental health field. Students have the option to pursue a concentration in dance/movement therapy.
Master of Arts in Counseling Services (School Counseling Concentration)
Prepare for a rewarding career as a school counselor. Students may take a variety of elective courses or tailor their learning by choosing from four focus areas: clinical client care, play therapy, addiction counseling or trauma.
Our concentration and certificate options
Approved Clinical Supervisor Certificate
Take the COUN 660: Counseling Services, Issues, Concepts and Methods course that introduces and critically examines issues and concepts that arise in the supervision of counseling and psychotherapy practitioners and trainees.
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) Concentration
Rider’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, is a pre-approved program that meets all the educational and course work requirements for the LCADC as stipulated by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New Jersey (APCBNJ). LCADC ensures that the competencies required for alcohol and drug counseling are met.
Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC)
Intended for students interested in the school counseling profession. The SAC plays a specialized counseling role in schools to support students with social, emotional and behavioral issues.
Benefits of pursuing graduate-level education
What you’ll get:
- Increased employability
- Improvement in salary and promotion potential upon degree completion
- Enhanced analytical, communication and technical skills
- Opportunity to retool and to change careers
- Confidence in your strategic leadership capabilities
- Access to a strong and diverse network of faculty, colleagues and alumni
Due to Rider's strong internship placement program, I was placed in a high school, a middle school and an elementary school. From there, I was directly able to land my current job.”
Career ready
Students in our graduate psychology and counseling programs benefit from faculty-supervised fieldwork in schools or clinical settings. During these placements, students apply what they've learned in class and gain the confidence needed to make informed decisions. Students build vital community networks and may be offered job opportunities at their field sites upon graduation.
Start your journey
At Rider, no one rides alone. We will be with you every step of the way. So get in touch! We can’t wait to hear from you.