School Psychology (MS)

Program Director: Veronica Escoffery-Runnels
Faculty: Tonya Brooks
Program Length, Full-Time: 3 Years

The program prepares individuals for a career utilizing expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to support children from infancy through adolescence in developing their full scholastic potential. The curriculum is designed to train school psychologists to apply consultation skills, psychological practices, leadership skills, and collaborative practices to collectively build supportive, equitable, safe, diverse learning environments where all children can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Coursework within this program will equip candidates with the range of knowledge and skills that school psychologists require to meet the comprehensive needs of the increasingly diverse populations of children, families, schools and communities they will serve.

This program is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and meets the Pupil Personnel Services Credential Specialization requirements for School Psychology.

Program Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from the program  under several circumstances, including but not limited to: academic dishonesty, academic disqualification, failure to maintain minimum academic standards, failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress, removal from a fieldwork placement, unethical or unprofessional conduct, failure of program activities measuring student competencies/or dispositions, circumstance interfering with training or well-being of others, and/or felony conviction.  Students dismissed from the program may not apply for readmission.

Additional Program Information

Grading

The Educational Counseling and School Psychology Programs requires students to earn a minimum of a B (3.0) in all coursework. Students must maintain an overall average of B (3.0) or better throughout the program.

Course Sequence and Availability

Candidates are directed to follow the course sequence as required by the program. Additionally, candidates are advised to be mindful that each course may only be offered once per academic year/term. Changes to the program course sequence are rare. If a change to course sequence is necessary, candidates must meet with the program academic advisor to ensure it matches the availability of courses and meets all pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements.

Credential Recommendation Time Limit

Students are expected to complete requirements for the master’s degree and graduate within three years from the date of matriculation. All credential requirement and recommendations must be completed within 5 years from the start of the student’s first course in the Educational Counseling and School Psychology programs.

Advanced Standing

Candidates must receive advanced standing in order to enroll in SPSY 576 Professional Seminar in School Psychology. Candidates must have completed all stipulations of admission in order to apply for Advanced Standing. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework, completed SPSY 550 Fieldwork Supervision in School Psychology I, be in good academic standing, and have attained a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all work applicable to the degree program.

Admission Requirements

1. Completed admission application and application fee.
2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended. A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred GPA of 2.75 or above in undergraduate work and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in any graduate work.
   1. An undergraduate major in psychology, education, or closely related field is required. Applicants without prior teaching, counseling, or experience in education are strongly encouraged to have at least one year of volunteer or paid experience working with children or adolescents,
3. A Statement of purpose that addresses the following points: your reasons for entering the school psychology profession and any personal or professional experiences and/or qualifications related to your intended field of study. Include a clear discussion of your perspective on the role, relevance, and implications of cultural competence in the field of school psychology. Your statement should be approximately 1,500-words in length, type written, and double spaced.
4. Two letters of recommendation (on letterhead) from individuals qualified to objectively evaluate the candidate's ability to succeed in graduate school and the potential to be a competent educator. Letters must be from individuals who can knowledgeably comment upon the candidate's academic skills, employment/volunteer experience, leadership potential, and professional abilities.
5. Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or Equivalent).
6. Resume
7. Current TB Clearance.
8. Certificate of Clearance.

Following receipt and review of all application materials, an interview is required for candidates being considered for admission.

Degree Requirements

Total Program: 64 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
SPSY 510	School Psychology Practicum I	1
SPSY 511	Legal and Ethical Foundations in School Psychology	3
SPSY 512	Counseling Theory: Developmental & Biological Foundations	3
SPSY 513	Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in School Psychology	2
SPSY 514	Professional Practice Foundations of the School Psychology Leader	2
Total Semester Hours		11

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
SPSY 520	School Psychology Practicum II	1
SPSY 521	Intro to Psychoeducational Assessment	3
SPSY 522	Psychopathology & Social Emotional Learning	3
SPSY 523	Individual Counseling Children & Adolescents	2
SPSY 524	Group Counseling: Intervention & Strategies	2
SPSY 528	Multi-tiered Interventions & Instructional Supports	3
SPSY 529	Psychoeducational Assessment, Measurement, & Testing	2
Total Semester Hours		16

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
SPSY 530	School Psychology Practicum III	1
SPSY 531	Psychoeducational Assessment & Achievement	3
SPSY 532	Consultation, Collaboration & Partnerships in Schools	3
SPSY 533	Crisis Intervention & Healing Centered Practices	2
SPSY 534	Neuropsychology of Learning Disabilities	2
SPSY 540	School Psychology Practicum IV	1
SPSY 541	Advanced Psychoeducational Assessment	3
SPSY 542	Behavioral Analysis & Classroom Intervention	3
SPSY 543	Diversity in Assessment, Evaluation, and Intervention	2
SPSY 544	Foundations & Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis	2
Total Semester Hours		22

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
SPSY 550	Fieldwork Supervision in School Psychology I	3
SPSY 556	Data, Research & Program Evaluation	3
SPSY 570	Fieldwork Supervision in School Psychology II	3
SPSY 576	Professional Seminar in School Psychology	3
One of the following:		3
SPSY 580	Advanced Assessment in Neuropsychology
Elective from Recommended LFCE class
Total Semester Hours		15

Passing score on the National School Psychology Praxis Exam to be recommended for the PPS Credential in School Psychology.

*Fieldwork/Internship must be completed within one academic year but shall be completed within no more than two consecutive academic years. (This is a mandate from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing).