This program will prepare you to work as a school psychologist and leads to certification from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. As part of the EdS degree requirements, students will complete 600 hours of practicum and 1,200 hours of internship. Based on a scientist-practitioner model and coursework in educational psychology and complementary disciplines, our program emphasizes a concrete link between theory, research and practice through core applied courses and supervised practical and internships. The EdS program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists.
Upon completion of the master’s degree in Educational Psychology (School Psychology concentration), the student will be considered for the Education Specialist Degree program in School Psychology. The student must file an application for the EdS with the Graduate School. Admission to the EdS program is dependent upon successful completion of master’s degree requirements. Students who are not admitted into the Education Specialist Degree program are not eligible for school psychology certification.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Credits and Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Professional and Clinical Practice | ||
| ED PSY 710 | Child and Adolescent Mental Health Issues in Schools | 3 |
| ED PSY 732 | Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Strategies in Education | 3 |
| ED PSY 955 | Advanced Therapeutic Interventions | 3 |
| ED PSY 959 | Seminar in School Psychology: | 3 |
| ED PSY 974 | Beginning Practicum in School Psychology | 6 |
| ED PSY 975 | Advanced Practicum in School Psychology | 6 |
| ED PSY 976 | MS Internship in School Psychology (retakeable for 8 credits total) | 8 |
| Choose one from either of the following two categories: | 3-4 | |
| Development, Learning & Cognition | ||
| Cognition: Learning, Problem Solving and Thinking (or other course chosen in consultation with advisor) | ||
| Contextual Determinants of Motivation | ||
| Social Cognition in Educational Psychology | ||
| Immigrant Child in Developmental Perspective | ||
| Educational Statistics and Measurement | ||
| Educational Statistical Methods I | ||
| Techniques of Educational and Psychological Measurement | ||
| Educational Statistical Methods II | ||
| Educational Foundations | ||
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| Leadership in Multicultural Organizations | ||
| Collaborations for Teachers with Families, Schools, and Communities | ||
| Reading Interests of Adolescents | ||
| Issues and Trends in Exceptional Education | ||
Or other course chosen in consultation with advisor | ||
| Total Credits | 38-39 | |
Additional Requirements
Education Specialist Final Project
Upon completion of all course work, including practicum, students will demonstrate their professional knowledge by completing a Education Specialist Final Project. The Final Project will demonstrate the student’s knowledge and proficiency in a clinical area such as innovative assessment practices, consultation, psychosocial therapy, or behavioral/academic intervention planning. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency by successfully completing one of the following projects:
- Produce a video recording showing a consultation session with a consultee
- Produce a video recording of a therapy session with a child or adolescent
- Develop a treatment manual for reducing psychosocial, behavioral or academic problems in children or adolescents
- Develop a parenting program for families with difficult or at-risk children
- Develop materials for an in-service program for teachers or parents (i.e., power point presentation, overheads, or manual)
- Develop a school-wide prevention program for at-risk students
- Develop an innovative assessment program for reducing academic, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems
- Conduct and produce a comprehensive intervention (social-emotional, academic) report
The Education Specialist Final Projects are due at the end of the internship. Projects will be judged to be acceptable by the school psychology faculty in charge of the internship and the student’s advisor. Recommendations for satisfactory completion of all of the Education Specialist degree requirements will be made by the student’s advisor, and will be forwarded to the department chair.
Certification as a School Psychologist
Students completing the MS concentration and the EdS in School Psychology are eligible for certification as a School Psychologist in the State of Wisconsin. School Psychologists are eligible and encouraged to obtain National Certification as a School Psychologist (NCSP) by taking the national certification examination.
School Psychology EdS Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the School Psychology EdS program will be able to:
- Use the range of assessment methods to make decisions and develop effective interventions.
- Identify and use evidence-based models and strategies of consultation and collaboration in schools.
- Identify evidence-based interventions and instructional strategies to promote students’ academic skills.
- Identify and use evidence-based interventions and mental health services to promote students’ social and emotional functioning.
- Identify and engage in school-wide practices to promote student learning and mental health.
- Identify and use preventive and responsive services to promote student learning and mental health.
- Identify and use evidence-based strategies to collaborate between families and schools.
- Identify and apply evidence-based strategies that consider individual differences related to culture, context, and abilities.
- Develop interventions and systematically collect data and evaluate their effects on student outcomes.
- Perform school psychologist responsibilities aligned with legal, ethical, and professional standards.