School Psychology MEd/EdS

Letters of Recommendation
2

Writing Sample
Yes

Other
Minimum of five psychology classes (including general psychology, statistics for social sciences, and human development); statement of purpose; transcripts; interview

Tuition
Visit https://www.umb.edu/bursar/tuition_and_fees for cost information. Note that online courses are typically billed at the CAPS course fee rate. Contact the program representative with any further questions.

Applying to the School Psychology Program

The School Psychology Program consists of approximately 50 students with about 18 students admitted each fall into either the Master of Education (MEd) or the Education Specialist (EdS) level of the program. Admission is competitive since far more candidates apply than can be admitted. The faculty make a concerted effort to attract and recruit a student body that reflects diversity in terms of race/ethnicity, gender, socio-economic background, and ability. Many students are already professionals in related fields of mental health services when they enter the School Psychology Program. As service providers, they bring an array of backgrounds and experiences that enrich classroom discussions and activities.

The application process is as follows:

1. The candidate ensures that a completed application is submitted by January 2. This includes:

• Completed application form with accompanying fee.
• A statement of purpose describing your understanding of school psychology practice and detailing personal career objectives. Please answer this question and not the one from the Office of Graduate Admissions.  
• Transcripts of all previous college work, undergraduate and graduate. Transcripts must be official (bear the college seal) and be from regionally accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must have completed at least a baccalaureate degree. Undergraduate and graduate cumulative grade point averages (GPA) should be at least 3.0 overall, and 3.0 in psychology courses as well.
• Prerequisite course work includes a minimum of five (5) psychology courses including introductory psychology, human development, and statistics.
• Two letters of recommendation. At least one letter should address academic promise and ability to succeed in advanced graduate training, and at least one letter should address the ability to work with children and adolescents and develop into a thoughtful and responsive practitioner.
• International applicants are required to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System exam (IELTS). Applicants who have received at least 4 years of education (including an undergraduate program) in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, United States, or Wales are exempt from submitting a TOEFL or IELTS score report. All others are required to submit official score reports.
• Scores for the Communication & Literacy Skills (reading and writing) portions of the Massachusetts Educator Licensure Test (MTEL; see here). Students may be admitted provisionally without having taken the MTEL, but will be required to take the tests during the first semester of attendance and pass them prior to the internship.

2. In March, selected candidates are invited for interviews with the Graduate Admissions Committee, scheduled by the Department of Counseling and School Psychology. The interview takes about two hours and is composed of a group interview, an individual interview, a writing session, and an opportunity to meet with current students.

3. After a successful interview, selected applicants will be asked to sign, and to have employers sign when relevant, the “Employer Agreement Form." This indicates that the applicant and employer both agree to release from the applicants current job for field work one day per week during the Practicum and full time during the internship.

4. Applicants to the EdS program, who already have a master's or higher degree in a related field, are eligible for waivers of requirements for comparable courses already completed at the graduate level. Their individual plan of study will be tentatively determined at the interview and formally determined after matriculation, following a review of course descriptions and syllabi.

5. Accepted applicants will be informed of that decision by both email and USPS mail by April 1. In agreement with other programs, accepted students are asked to confirm their program selection by April 15.

Do you have more questions? Please contact csp.admissions@umb.edu.

The required courses for school psychology students are:

• SPY 601 – Issues and Ethics in School Psychology
• SPY 602 – Standardized Assessment & Report Writing
• SPY 603 – Foundations of Educational Assessment and Data-Based Decision Making (Prereq: SPY 602; 25 pre-prac hours)
• SPY 604 – Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Assessment and Intervention (Recommended prior: SPY 601, SPY 602, COUNSL 614)
• SPY 607 – School-Based Interventions & Data-Based Decision Making (Prereq: SPY 603, SPY 604, SPY 635, COUNSL 614, COUNSL 632)
• SPY 608 – Systems Consultation, Prevention & Organizational Change (Prereq: SPY 603, SPY 604, SPY 635, COU 614, COU 632)
• SPY 612 – Learning and the Curriculum
• COUNSL 601 – Research and Evaluation in Psychology
• COUNSL 608 – Abnormal Psychology
• COUNSL 614 – Counseling Theory and Practice I
• COUNSL 617 – Child and Adolescent Therapy (Prereq: COUNSL 614)
• COUNSL 632 – Collaborative Consultation in Schools
• COUNSL 650 – Group Counseling of Children and Adolescents (Prereq: COUNSL 614 and 617)
• COUNSL 653 – Cultural Diversity in Counseling (Prereq: COUNSL 614 and 617)
• SPY 635 – Behavioral Counseling (Prereq: COUNSL 614 and 617)
• SPY 610 – Neuropsychological Theory and Practice in Education (Prereq: COUNSL 608 and SPY 602)
• SPY 685 – Practicum in School Psychology (Prereq: SPY 601 and SPY 602 and COUNSL 61)
• SPY 686 – Practicum in School Psychology (Prereq: SPY 601 and SPY 602 and COUNSL 61)
• SPY 688 – Internship in School Psychology 1st semester (Prereq: MTEL pass; Faculty approval)
• SPY 691 – Seminar in School Psychology 1st semester (Prereq: MTEL pass; Faculty approval)
• SPY 688 – Internship in School Psychology 2nd semester (Prereq: Grade of B or better in SPY 688)
• SPY 691 – Seminar in School Psychology 2nd semester (Prereq: Grade of B or better in SPY 691)
• MEd Capstone Comprehensive Exam – Taken after SPY 601, SPY 602, SPY 603, SPY 604, SPY 607, COUNSL 601 COUNSL, 608, COUNSL 614, COUNSL 632, COUNSL 653, and two more) (required for the master's degree)
• EdS Capstone – Nationally Certified School Psychologist Exam (PRAXIS)

The school psychology program (MEd and EdS levels) has full accreditation approval from both the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Both levels of the program have learning outcomes organized to meet the training standards of these accrediting agencies. Students are expected to demonstrate competency in the NASP domains of school psychology training and practice. Graduates satisfy the Coursework, Internship, and Examination requirements to become Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP). At graduation they are also eligible for licensure as school psychologists by DESE. With additional work experience, program graduates are eligible for licensure as educational psychologists by the Massachusetts Allied Mental Health Professions. One or both of these credentials make program graduates eligible for licensure or certification as school psychologists in many other states as well. 

These are the top five ways school psychology differs from other disciplines:

1. School psychologists have extensive training in child development. Their expertise is helpful in addressing the needs of children to make sure they thrive in the classroom setting. 
2. School psychologists are trained for crisis intervention situations. They are always ready to provide counseling and emotional support to children and adolescents affected by tragedies or catastrophic events. 
3. School psychologists help to create safe schools and positive environments that are conducive to learning. They evaluate the climate of schools and recommend strategies to identify at-risk students, areas of school vulnerability, and prevention programs. They design interventions that consider various social and cultural factors.
4. School psychologists play a role in strengthening family/school partnerships and community outreach. They help families navigate the special education process, as well as understand their children’s learning, emotional, and mental health needs and connect them with service providers if needed. 
5. School psychologists are experts in assessment and learning. They conduct and communicate assessment results to parents, teachers, and others so that they understand the nature of a student’s challenges and how to better serve the student’s needs.

Careers

The job outlook is very promising for school psychologists. The majority of school psychologists work in public school settings, but other places of employment include private schools, community agencies, hospitals and clinics, and universities. School psychologists generally work as practitioners, administrators, consultants, or faculty/researchers. Employment is projected to grow in the next several years, and one of the groups with the best job prospects will be those with specialist degrees in school psychology. Graduates are supported in finding employment through job postings announced via distribution lists, the state school psychology association, and the department of elementary and secondary education.