(67 credits)
The graduate program leading to the educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree in school psychology is designed to prepare persons for positions of school-based practice and leadership positions. Admission and retention are based upon appropriateness of educational and career goals, available positions in the program, interpersonal skills, communication ability, and academic and clinical performance. Meeting minimum standards alone does not guarantee either admission or retention.
Admission Requirements
1. Complete application to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.
2. Undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 or above.
3. Graduate grade point average of 3.25 or above with no deficiencies in the area chosen for advanced graduate study.
4. Official transcript from each school at which any undergraduate or graduate work has been done.
5. Scores on the Graduate Record Examinations General Test.
6. Three letters of recommendation from persons who know the prospective student in an academic and/or professional capacity.
7. A personal narrative describing the applicant’s professional goals and the contribution of this program to accomplishing those goals.
8. Successful completion of criminal background checks as required by the Bayh College of Education.
It must not be assumed that meeting minimal standards guarantees admission to the program. After review of all materials, the admissions committee will invite prospective students to participate in either a telephone or personal interview. Additionally, regular admission is contingent upon successful completion of criminal background checks as required by the Bayh College of Education.
A minimum of 67 credits of graduate work beyond the bachelor’s degree is required, in addition to the successful completion of a final applied research project, as prescribed in the regulations of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, and a 1,200-hour, year-long internship. The specialist program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Further information about program approval may be obtained from the National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway, Suite 402, Bethesda, MD 20814, Phone: 301-657- 0270, e-mail: cert@naspweb.org
The program aspires to prepare professional school psychologists through a scientist-practitioner training model. This incorporates preparation focused on theoretical, research, technical, and interpersonal and leadership competencies, which are integrated and applied through a problem-solving model to all aspects of candidates’ work with children, youth, families, and schools. The objectives of the program are to produce school psychologists who demonstrate:
1. Knowledge and skills concerning fundamentals of measurement and assessment, and the use of assessment measures in a non-biased, reliable and valid manner.
2. Knowledge and skills concerning the principles and strategies used to guide the design and implementation of effective interventions for children and adolescents.
3. The ability to consult with educators, school administrators, family members, and other professionals.
4. Knowledge and skills pertaining to the measurement of program and intervention effectiveness; identification and application of empirically-based principles; and effective communication of research findings.
5. Skills required for appropriate professional practice, legal and ethical decision-making, and sensitivity to individual and cultural differences.
The Ed.S. degree is regarded as an advanced practitioner’s degree and, as such, is a continuation of work completed in pursuit of the master of education (M.Ed.) in school psychology. Students who have not completed the M.Ed. in school psychology but have a master’s degree in special education, psychology, or a related field may be considered for admission and offered the opportunity to complete any deficiencies en route to the completion of the Ed.S. degree. A student admitted to an Ed.S. program must demonstrate evidence of sound scholarship and the ability to carry out individual research. The program listed below includes the course work for both the M.Ed. and the Ed.S. degrees in school psychology.
The Ed.S. program requirements can be described briefly as follows:
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