School Psychology Program

Program Chairperson: Jackie Allen

This program offers training in counseling and psychology to prepare school psychologists to work with age groups from infancy through adolescence. It has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to recommend qualified candidates for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology, including the Intern Credential.

Admission Requirements:

  1. A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning with a GPA of 2.75 or above in undergraduate work and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above for any graduate work.
  2. (a) An undergraduate major in psychology or another behavioral science, or (b) a valid teaching credential with a minimum of one year of full-time classroom teaching experience, or (c) successful coursework or experience demonstrating basic knowledge of general psychology, human learning and development, and human behavior or (d) a pupil personnel services credential in school counseling.
  3. A course or the equivalent to demonstrate competence in word processing, database management, computer presentation, and Internet skills. This prerequisite must be satisfied before advancement to candidacy.
  4. A statement of purpose outlining reasons for seeking admission to the School Psychology Program, together with an autobiography.
  5. Applicants without prior teaching or counseling experience are strongly encouraged to have at least one year of volunteer or paid experience working with children or adolescents. This experience should be described in the statement of purpose and autobiography.
  6. Three letters of reference addressing the candidate's potential as a school psychologist. One of these references must be from the candidate's immediate supervisor.
  7. An interview with the Lead Professor of the School Psychology Program.
  8. An application for Certificate of Clearance or a valid California Teaching Credential.

Additional Requirements:

  1. Candidates seeking the Pupil Personnel Services Credential must show evidence of having passed the CBEST prior to registering for EDUC 586B.
  2. Demonstrated suitability for the profession of school psychology by completing EDUC 578, prior to entering EDUC 589A.
  3. A Certificate of Clearance or a valid California Teaching Credential before registering for EDUC 586A.

Total Program: 61 semester hours for M.S. and credential.

Core Courses:
EDUC 501 Educational Assessment (3)
EDUC 502 Learning Disabilities and Neurology (3)
EDUC 503 Educational Psychology (3)
EDUC 504 Methods of Research (3)
EDUC 535 Child Psychopathology (3)
EDUC 547 Introduction to School Psychology (3)
EDUC 548 Program Planning and Evaluation (3)
EDUC 549 School Counseling Theories (3)
EDUC 550 Human Development (3)
EDUC 564 Introduction and Achievement (2)
EDUC 567 School Safety & Crisis Prevention (2)
EDUC 571 Individual Counseling Theories (3)
EDUC 572 Group Counseling Skills (3)
EDUC 573 Counseling Diverse Populations (3)
EDUC 574 Facilitating/Consultation Skills (3)
EDUC 577 Individual Assessment (3)
EDUC 578 Advanced Assessment (3)
EDUC 579 Alternative Assessment and Behavior Intervention (3)
EDUC 586A Practicum in School Psychology A (1)
EDUC 586B Practicum in School Psychology B (1)
EDUC 589A Supervised Field Work in School Psychology-Level I*
EDUC 589B Supervised Field Work in School Psychology-Level II*

*The field experience is typically completed within one academic year, but shall be completed within no more than two consecutive academic years.

Culminating Activity: 3 semester hours EDUC 598 Graduate Seminar in School Psychology (3)