Dean's Message

The Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) is dedicated to delivering high quality/high impact behavioral health training by linking research with practice and centering our mission on serving a diverse New Jersey community.  

As part of Rutgers University—a Big Ten, R1 land-grant institution—GSAPP is home to top-ranked, applied training programs grounded in science. These programs prepare students to graduate on time with clear pathways to service-driven, meaningful, and fulfilling careers. Integration of academic rigor with real-world application ensures graduates are ready to meet the evolving mental healthcare needs of New Jersey and beyond.

The school continues to grow with intention, expanding its academic offerings and increasing enrollment to meet the demand for skilled and compassionate behavioral health professionals. Growth is guided by a focus on quality, access, and impact—ensuring that expansion strengthens the school’s mission and its contributions to Rutgers’ broader public service mandate.

GSAPP is often described as innovative and unique—descriptors that are overused but fitting here. There are very few professional schools located at top research universities where internationally renowned professors teach the next generation of practitioners. This combination, combined with a community-focused mission, enables something rare in higher education: research that is conducted hand-in-hand with the community and is directly translated into training and practice. 

GSAPP is built on more than 50 years of sustained excellence. GSAPP’s history reflects continuous growth, learning, and refinement—supported by strong leadership and dedicated faculty focused on training, applied research, and service to the community. That foundation has positioned GSAPP as a respected leader among professional schools, both within Rutgers and nationally.

GSAPP remains committed to advancing its core mission: preparing the next generation of behavioral health professionals and ensuring that all children, families, and adults have the opportunity to thrive.

Joshua M. Langberg, PhD
Dean, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology