Why Applied Psychology and Why GSAPP?

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP – pronounced “gsapp,” as a single word with a hard G). We recognize that there are many career paths to choose from and many institutions that offer graduate psychology training. So, why applied psychology, and why GSAPP? 

To start, let’s define applied psychology. The term applied means that the primary focus of GSAPP is training practitioners, or individuals who want to go into the community, schools, and organizations and help others with their mental health and wellness. Many PhD programs have a primary mission and focus on training researchers. At GSAPP, you will work with top researchers and have the opportunity to conduct meaningful applied research, but the main focus of GSAPP is on training practitioners to provide the highest quality behavioral health care (behavioral health care is a term that encompasses both mental health and addictions).

Graduate training programs cost money (tuition); which is why it is important to consider the value of your investment. GSAPP offers several programs that lead to board certification and/or licensure. This means that you will be able to provide specialized services to clients that are covered by insurance. It is important to note that not all graduate psychology training programs provide a clear path to certification or licensure. This matters because licensed psychologists and counselors and certified (e.g., ABA) practitioners are in high demand. A downside is that licensure takes time; often a 3-5 year process. If that isn’t for you, we have several certificate and degree programs designed to teach you practical, evidence-based skills that are in high demand in school, community, and business settings. Regardless of the path you choose, GSAPP students consistently land in well-paying and fulfilling jobs. In addition, we graduate students on time. Time-to-graduation is an important factor to consider, because the longer you are in school, the more you are paying for your education. 

GSAPP is also unique in several important ways. 

• First, we train students to work in a variety of settings. We have degrees that will allow you to work in schools, hospitals, the community, for-profit and nonprofit businesses and organizations, as well as in private practice. 
• Second, we have world-class faculty who are internationally-renowned experts, dedicated to training students. This is seldom the case in higher education, as most often, those faculty only conduct research. 
• Third, we are deeply committed to serving a diverse New Jersey community. You will graduate with a real sense of cultural competence and knowledge of how you can provide mental health care across a variety of populations and systems. 
• Finally, GSAPP benefits from being part of Rutgers University–New Brunswick, a top-ranked, public institution, and from being located close to both Philadelphia and New York. This means that you have access to a wealth of resources at Rutgers and a wide range of practicum and internship opportunities in the community. Access to practicum and internship sites should be a critical part of your decision. These are the places where you will receive hands-on training and supervision. In a densely-populated state like New Jersey, thousands of sites are available to choose from—allowing you to pursue specialty training in your areas of passion.

GSAPP is one of the most well-established applied psychology schools in the country. Our training methods are 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 a diverse New Jersey and broader community. This history has allowed GSAPP to develop a robust alumni network, and many of our graduates stay in-state and teach at GSAPP.  When you join GSAPP, you are joining a close and connected community. 

We know that choosing a graduate training program is complex. If you are looking for applied psychology training, GSAPP really is the best of the best. As you explore our degree programs further, we welcome your questions. We are here to support you on your journey to obtaining a rewarding career helping others.  

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