Marie C. McGrath, Ph.D., NCSP

 
Dr. Marie McGrath joined the Immaculata University faculty in 2004. She earned both her M.Ed. and her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Temple University. Her dissertation investigated the use of novel neuroimaging techniques in examining brain activation patterns associated with completion of executive functioning tasks. Dr. McGrath’s other research interests include psychology training practices, early career issues, and  neuropsychologically-informed and cross-battery assessment.
 
Dr. McGrath coordinates the Department of Graduate Psychology’s School Psychology Certification, MA in Counseling Psychology with School Psychology Certification, and Psy.D. in School Psychology programs, and is the academic advisor for all students in these programs.  She also currently serves as the Field Site Visitor for master’s/certification-level school psychology internship placements.
 
Dr. McGrath is a licensed psychologist and a certified school psychologist, and holds the National School Psychology Certification (NCSP) credential.  She currently serves as an application reviewer for the National School Psychology Certification Board.  Dr. McGrath is a member of several professional organizations in psychology and education, including the National Association of School Psychologists, the American Psychological Association, and the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. In addition to her work at Immaculata, Dr. McGrath does part-time clinical work as a school psychologist with the Chester County Intermediate Unit.
 
Courses Taught:
 
Children with Exceptional Needs
Neuropsychology and Learning with Children and Adolescents
Psychometrics
Assessment I: Cognitive
Assessment III: Psychoeducational
Internship Seminars in School Psychology
 
Selected Publications:
 
McGrath, M. C. (in press). Psychometrics. In S. Goldstein and J. Naglieri (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Chid Behavior and Development. New York: Springer.
 
Yalof, J., & McGrath, M. C. (2009). Best practices in assessing and intervening with children with nonverbal learning disabilities. In D.C. Miller (Ed.), Best Practices in School Neuropsychology (pp. 579-596). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
 
Thurman, S. K., & McGrath, M. C. (2008). Environmentally based assessment practices: Viable alternatives to standardized assessment for assessing emergent literacy skills in young children. Reading and Writing Quarterly, 24, 7-24.
 
Yares, A., Riley-Tillman, T. C., Fiorello, C. A., & McGrath, M. C. (2005). The virtual student:  Using technology to teach school psychology. In M. O. Thirunarayanan and A. Perez-Prado (Eds.), Integrating Technology in Higher Education (pp. 259-272). Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
 
Fiorello, C. A., Hale, J. B., McGrath, M., Ryan, K., & Quinn, S. (2002). IQ interpretation for children with flat and variable test profiles. Learning and Individual Differences, 13, 115-125.
 
Tillman, T. C., Fiorello, C. A., & McGrath, M. C. (2001). The virtual student: Using technology to facilitate learning of the diagnostic process. Trainers’ Forum: Periodical of the Trainers of School Psychologists, 19, 6-7.
 
Selected Presentations:
 
McGrath, M. C., Jenny, E., Dorliae, F. C., & Guay, J. (2010, August). ECPs in academic settings: Characteristics, roles, and challenges. Paper accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association (Division 1: Society for General Psychology), San Diego, CA.
 
Ross, V. V., & McGrath, M. C. (2010, June). Disability laws: Implications for college-bound students with learning disabilities. Workshop accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Harrisburg, PA.
 
Dorliae, F. C., Guay, J., Jenny, E., & McGrath, M. C. (2009, June). Early career psychologists in academia: Balancing roles, creating professional identities. Panel discussion presented at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Harrisburg, PA.
 
Row, L., Inverso, E., Irey, C., & McGrath, M. C. (2009, June). Stress awareness: Helping teachers help their students and themselves. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Harrisburg, PA.
 
Erion, J., John, K., & McGrath, M. C. (2009, February). Relationship of select admission and outcome characteristics for graduates of a specialist-level school psychology program. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Trainers of School Psychologists, Boston, MA.
 
Szuchyt, J., & McGrath, M. C. (2008, June). Clinicians’ attitudes and practices regarding emotional trauma, attachment, and the developing brain. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Harrisburg, PA.
 
McGrath, M. C., & Yalof, J. (2008, February). School neuropsychology: Practitioners’ perceptions of training.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the National Association of School Psychologists, New Orleans, LA.
 
McGrath, M. C., & Yalof, J. (2007, March). School neuropsychology: Impact on school psychology program training practices.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the National Association of School Psychologists, New York, NY.
 
McGrath, M. C., Fiorello, C.A., & Thurman, S.K. (2005, April). Investigating executive functioning abilities using a novel neuroimaging technique.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association of School Psychologists, Atlanta, GA.
 
McGrath, M. C., Fiorello, C. A., Kildebeck, E., Rashedi, L., Zakhidova, A., Thurman, S. K., Nioka, S., & Chance, B. (2003, August). Using neuroimaging to identify cognitive components of psychometric tests. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, ON.