About the Program

The school psychology curriculum at UMass Boston is based on a problem-solving, consultative model informed by recent research and best practices recommended by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The program addresses the knowledge bases of psychology and education. It emphasizes data-based decision-making and collaboration. Students must attain the skills necessary to deliver effective services that result in positive outcomes. Course work and field experience emphasize appreciation and sensitivity toward individual differences and cultural diversity.

The NASP Practice Model (2010) guides the curricula of the School Psychology Program at UMass Boston. Faculty address the domains in the courses they teach and fieldwork they supervise. They assess student growth in all 10 domains at key points in the program. Students must demonstrate themselves to be competent in the model as a requirement for graduation.

The EdS level of the program is designed to enable individuals who have advanced degrees to enhance their professional competencies or satisfy state and national certification requirements. The program is particularly suited to those with a master’s or doctorate in a related field, such as counseling, special education, or clinical psychology. Those applicants who enter the program at the EdS level must complete all of the courses and fieldwork requirements for the MEd and EdS levels.  The program faculty as a group makes final decisions on whether to accept graduate level courses taken previously. The university requires a minimum of 30 credits for the degree, but most EdS students complete considerably more since they must meet all program requirements for the MEd (see description above) aside from the master’s comprehensive and the MEd degree application.