MA/EdS in School Psychology

The MA/EdS in School Psychology prepares students to be culturally responsive problem-solvers ready to serve all children from diverse backgrounds across a range of communities. This is accomplished by analyzing children's school-based challenges from multiple perspectives to inform interventions that promote school success.

Successful applicants to the program are:

Diverse, including underrepresented groups in school psychology. Over the past three years, we have averaged 33% of our incoming class representing these groups.
Prepared to engage in conversations around issues of race, class, culture, language, gender, dis/ability, and sexuality as they are reproduced in our schools.
Willing to question themselves, asking "How do I need to change myself before I can become an effective professional working with all children?"
Experienced (volunteer or paid) working with children, adolescents, and/or families in educational or mental health settings, or in a research capacity.

This program is designed to meet the Massachusetts state licensure requirements and the Nationally Certified School Psychologist requirements (NCSP) through the the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) making graduates immediately eligible for both a state and national license as a School Psychologist. Candidates are not required to obtain the NCSP credential, but are qualified to do so. NASP maintains a site that provides information about whether the NCSP is accepted and what, if any, other exams or requirements must be satisfied for every state.

Office of Graduate Admissions

We invite you to learn more about this program.

Admissions Information

Message from Co-Directors

Philosophy

School psychologists have a vital responsibility in the nation's schools to promote mental health and secure quality education for all children.

We are morally and ethically compelled to push graduate students to question the inequitable educational systems that give power and privilege to some children and families and oppress, marginalize, and disenfranchise others.
We emphasize an expanded, problem solving role for school psychologists as informed by ecological and developmental perspectives, using multiple lenses to explore the challenges of contemporary schooling.

Job Placement

On average, 100% of our graduates are employed as school psychologists within three months of graduating from the program. In any given year, 75% are typically employed at schools in Massachusetts across the K-12 age range.

Program Requirements

The School Psychology MA/EdS prepares students for practice providing comprehensive services in schools. Students are participating in field-based experiences from the first year. Over the three years of the program the balance of course preparation and field experiences shifts, so that students are in their field sites one day per week the first year, three days per week their second year, and five days per week their third year. During their first two years (including summer study) students complete the course-work needed to prepare them for their practicum and internship fieldwork. During these two years, course assignments and seminars draw upon field experiences and offer opportunities for integrating developing knowledge and skills.

MA Requirements (31 credits total)

Year 1 - Fall semester (14 credits)

ED 220: Pre-Practicum Seminar (2 credits)
ED 230: Foundations of Learning, Cognition, and Academic Intervention (3 credits)
ED 237: Common Factors in Counseling: Initial Interviewing and Basic Clinical Skills (3 credits)
ED 241: Foundations and Contemporary Practices in Psychoeducational Assessment (3 credits)
ED 249: Social Justice in Schools (3 credits)

Year 1 - Spring Semester (14 credits)

ED 140: Behavior Management in the Classroom (3 credits)
ED 221: Pre-Practicum Seminar (2 credits)
ED 243: Assessment of Cognitive Abilities (3 credits)
ED 254: Developmental Psychopathology in Educational Settings (3 credits)
ED 255: Professional Practice, Ethics, and the Law in School Psychology (3 credits)

Additional MA Requirement (3 credits)

ED 16X-level course in Social and Cultural Foundations of Education

EdS Requirements (36 credits total)

Summer following Year 1 (9 credits)

ED 253: Biological Bases of Behavior (3 credits)
ED 274: Methods of School Psychology Research (3 credits)
ED 250: Tier 2 Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Intervention and Supports in Schools (3 credits)

Year 2 - Fall Semester (12 credits)

ED 231: Practicum in School Psychology (3 credits)
ED 238: Advanced Approaches to Counseling: Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in School (3 credits)
ED 246: Social, Emotional, And Behavioral Assessment (3 credits)
ED XXX: Integrated School-Based Mental Health and Family-School Partnerships (3 credits)

Year 2 - Spring Semester (9 credits)

ED 232: Practicum in School Psychology (3 credits)
ED 244: Assessment and Intervention for Learning Problems in the Classroom (3 credits)
ED 256: School-Based Consultation (3 credits)

Additionally, students must complete the PREPaRE training offered in their second year. The NASP PREPaRE curriculum provides evidence-based training for school crisis prevention and response. Students are required to take the NASP PREPaRE Training as a part of their second year course sequence. Students must successfully complete the NASP PREPaRE Training as a graduation requirement.