School Psychology, MEd/EdS

Degree Requirements

Combined Master’s and Educational Specialist Program (MEd/EdS)

Candidates for the combined MEd/EdS in school psychology are required to complete all coursework and other academic requirements for Massachusetts State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education licensure as well as national certification as school psychologists (NCSP). Meeting these standards in both categories is mandatory. There are no exceptions.

The MEd/EdS program requires 66 credits of coursework and field experiences as well as three (3) capstone experiences. Upon completing 36 credits of approved coursework in the program and passing the capstone written comprehensive examination, the student earns the MEd degree. The student then begins working toward the EdS degree by taking an additional 12 credits of coursework within the program of study.

Completion of the EdS requires completing a year-long (1,200-clock-hour) internship and passing two capstones:

Praxis II: School Psychology
A professional portfolio

(Note that the student may not begin the internship without passing the Communication and Literacy Skills portion of the Massachusetts Test of Educator Licensure [MTEL]. Also note that a student who fails the Praxis twice may petition the program director to be allowed to substitute an alternate comprehensive exam for this requirement.)

Upon completion of the MEd/EdS degree, including 1,200 hours of internship, the candidate qualifies for initial licensure as a school psychologist in Massachusetts and other states.

Course Requirements (48 cr.)

The MEd/EdS program requires the graduate courses listed below. In individual cases, the graduate program director may approve substitutions.

Required field experiences (1,450 hr., 18 cr.):

Note

SPY G 688 Internship in School Psychology and SPY G 691 Seminar in School Psychology must be taken concurrently for two semesters. (600 fieldwork hours and 6 credits per semester for a total of 1,200 hours and 12 credits.)

Note: Students who are interested in eventual practice in California should also take SPY G 687 Practicum in School Psychology III as an extra course prior to the internship.

Required capstones

MEd: Written comprehensive exam

EdS: Portfolio, PRAXIS II: School Psychology

Online offerings

Currently several courses are available online.

Admission Requirements

Please see the general statement of admission requirements for all graduate studies programs in the “Admissions” section of this publication. Also refer to the description of admission requirements listed under “Professional Preparation Programs for Educators” in the “Regulations, Procedures, and Degree Requirements” section of this publication.

Specialist Program: MEd/EdS Level

The School Psychology Admissions Committee reviews all applications to the MEd/EdS level of the specialist program in School Psychology. It then recommends admission for those applicants who present evidence of their ability to perform graduate work with distinction. Such evidence typically includes:

Transcripts of all previous college work, undergraduate and graduate. Transcripts must be official (bear the college seal) and be from regionally accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must have completed at least a baccalaureate degree.
Undergraduate and graduate cumulative grade point averages (GPA) should be at least 3.0 overall, with 3.0 in psychology courses as well.
A minimum of five courses in psychology at either the undergraduate or graduate level, including introductory psychology, human development, and statistics.
Three letters of recommendation addressing the candidate’s ability to succeed in advanced graduate training in school psychology and promise to develop into a thoughtful and responsive practitioner. At least two of the letters should be from instructors in the applicant’s most recent academic program. At least one letter should address the candidate’s demonstrated skills as an employee working with children and adolescents.
Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores should be at the 50th percentile or above.
International applicants are required to earn a minimum score of 6.0 on either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants who have received at least 4 years of education (including an undergraduate program) in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, the United States, or Wales are exempt from the TOEFL or IELTS. All others are required to submit official score reports.
Scores on the Communication & Literacy Skills (reading and writing) portions of the Massachusetts Test of Educator Licensure (MTEL). Students who are provisionally admitted without this score must take this test within a semester of matriculation.
A letter of intent describing an understanding of school psychology practice and detailing personal career objectives. Please answer this question and not the one from the Office of Graduate Admissions.
If invited, an interview with the School Psychology Program Admissions Committee.