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Education Specialist in School Psychology
School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students that strengthen connections between home and school.
School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology and education. They must complete a minimum of a post-Master’s degree program that includes a year-long internship and emphasizes preparation in mental health, child development, school organization, learning styles and processes, behavior, motivation, and effective teaching.
School psychologists must be certified and/or licensed by the state in which they work. They also may be nationally certified by the National School Psychology Certification Board (NSPCB).
School psychologists work to find the best solution for each student and situation and use different strategies to address student needs and to improve school and district-wide support systems.
School psychologists work with students individually and in groups. They also develop programs to train teachers and parents regarding effective teaching and learning strategies, effective techniques to manage behavior at home and in the classroom, working with students with disabilities or with special talents, abuse of drugs and other substances, and preventing and managing crises.
In addition, most school psychologists provide the following services.
Consultation
- Collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems.
- Help others understand child development and how it affects learning and behavior.
- Strengthen working relationships between teachers, parents, and service providers in the community.
Evaluation
- Evaluate eligibility for special services.
- Assess academic skills and aptitude for learning.
- Determine social-emotional development and mental health status.
- Evaluate learning environments.
Intervention
- Provide psychological counseling to help resolve interpersonal or family problems that interfere with school performance.
- Work directly with children and their families to help resolve problems in adjustment and learning.
- Provide training in social skills and anger management.
- Help families and schools manage crises, such as
death, illness, or community trauma.
Prevention
- Design programs for children at risk of failing at school.
- Promote tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity within the school community.
- Develop programs to make schools safer and more effective learning environments.
- Collaborate with school staff and community agencies to provide services directed at improving psychological and physical health.
- Develop partnerships with parents and teachers to promote healthy school environments.
Research and Planning
- Evaluate the effectiveness of academic and behavior management programs.
- Identify and implement programs and strategies to improve schools.
- Use evidence-based research to develop and/or recommend effective interventions.
Where School Psychologists Work
The majority of school psychologists work in schools. However, they can practice in a variety of
settings including:
- Public and private school systems
- School-based health centers
- Clinics and hospitals
- Private practice
- Universities
- Community and state agencies, and other institutions
School psychologists serve diverse students in a variety of settings where learning is central. Intervention strategies are linked to assessments. The Education Specialist in School Psychology degree was developed to train students for effective intervention in this environment. Our course of instruction meets Georgia and national certification requirements for school psychologists. Students are systematically trained as applied practitioners in the field of school psychology as approved by the National Association of School Psychologists.
Some students may wish to pursue certification in Pupil Personnel Services, granted by the Georgia Professional Standards commission. The certificate requires completion of 10 semester hours in specific education leadership courses. As many as 5 of those 10 hours may be completed as part of the Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology.
A student desiring to pursue an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree must present an acceptable score on the verbal section and on either the analytical or quantitative section of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) combined with an acceptable graduate grade point average (GGPA). Admission decisions will be made based on combined GRE and GGPA scores. Only “regular” admission status is used for entry into the Ed.S. Program. Graduate work taken before admission to an Ed.S. Program will not count toward degree requirements. Minimum requirements to be considered for admission to a program are as follows:
· The applicant must have completed a master’s degree at an accredited or approved institution, and
· The applicant must have a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for all graduate work attempted.
· The successful applicant will submit a minimum total score of 850 on the verbal section and either the analytical or quantitative section of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). A minimum score of 400 is required on each of the two sections used to meet admission requirements. If taken after 10/01/2002, a minimum 4.5 is required on the analytical writing. The Miller’s Analogies Test (MAT) may be used as an alternative measure to the GRE.
· The applicant must complete application forms as directed by the Graduate School.
· The applicant must submit 3 recommendations to the Graduate School. These letters should reflect the ability, interest, and motivation of the candidate to be successful in the program of study and the career field.
· The applicant may also be required to submit a written statement of 250-500 words describing the student’s interest in this program and post-degree plans. This sample should demonstrate articulation, writing skill, and aims consistent with the mission of the degree program.
The Ed.S. in School Psychology is based on a foundation of graduate coursework completed at the master’s degree level. A minimum of 72 semester hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree would include both the master’s level requisites and sixth-year degree requirements. A minimum of 27 semester hours beyond the master’s degree is necessary to complete the Ed.S. degree program.
Courses typically required for the Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology are listed on the next panel and represent a course of study based on the master’s degree preparation:
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Total Hours Required for the Degree - 72 semester hours
Program Content for the Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology
Students entering the Specialist Degree Program from other graduate departments may need to complete prerequisite coursework. In addition to the comprehensive examination, students will complete the PRAXIS II examination and received provisional and final certification. In Georgia, the PRAXIS II or Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) Examination is used for certification. Graduation from a master’s degree program in a school psychology related field, enrollment in and recommendation from an Ed.S. school psychology program approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, 500 clock hours of practicum with a minimum of 250 hours in the school setting, and a passing score on the NCSP Examination are required for Georgia’s 5th year certification in school psychology.
Intermediate coursework prepares students for the national exam and provisional certification. Students normally obtain provisional certification prior to completing their internship and thesis. Students may develop a portfolio as a part of the Education Specialist Degree Program in School Psychology. The portfolio documents various courses completed, practicum experiences, internship training, supervisory comments and ratings, documentation of national certification, as well as other necessary and useful records.
Contact Dr. Larry Hilgert for more information