School Psychology Degree Options

Master of Science in Education

Educational Specialist

Who Should Enroll

This program is for individuals who want to be competent, professional psychologists providing the following services in public schools and mental health settings:

• Academic, behavioral, and cognitive interventions
• Consultation with parents, teachers, and other professionals
• Assessment and diagnosis of individual student problems
• In-service training
• Program evaluation
• Applied research

Key Features

Students are encouraged to engage in reflective practice utilizing a problem-solving approach from a child advocacy perspective, to engage in preventive as well as remedial practices, and to work with a broad cross-section of the student population, including regular education students.

• Approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the National Association of School Psychologists
• Qualify for certification in many states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa
• Eligible to apply for listing in the National School Psychology Certification System.
• With completion of program requirements, including internship and passing the national exam in school psychology, earn an Education Specialist degree in addition to a master's degree.
• To support working professionals, courses are scheduled in the late afternoon or early evening

Program Curriculum

To become eligible for licensure/certification as a school psychologist, you need to complete the Educational Specialist degree, 66 graduate credits, and all other program requirements. You may be eligible for licensure as a school psychology intern with the completion of your practicum year (56 graduate credits).

To be eligible for national certification in school psychology (NCSP), candidates must complete all program requirements and an application through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). See the NASP web site  for more details. Candidates from UW River Falls will complete the application for graduates of approved programs.

Master of Science in Education

See Degree Requirements

See Degree Requirements

A test usage fee (maximum of $100) is associated with certain assessment courses (SPSY 745, 746, 747 and 749).

Wisconsin and Minnesota require that applicants for teacher certification, including school psychology, submit fingerprints with the certification application. In addition, criminal background checks are required.

Completion of a certification portfolio as specified by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Additional Admission Requirements

School Psychology has additional requirements that you must complete in order to be considered for the program.

Click here for a list of additional admission requirements.

Completed application for graduate study must be received by February 1 each year. Students are notified of acceptance usually by April 1. Enrollment begins the following fall term.