College of Education

Educational Specialist in School Psychology

 

The Educational Specialist in School Psychology (Ed. S.) degree program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis is a National Association of School Psychologists-Approved training program that prepares future school psychologists as data-based problem solvers. Particular attention throughout the program is placed upon interventions and educational outcomes within a cognitive-behavioral theoretical perspective. The program promotes a unique set of professional values through its emphasis on:

The UMSL Ed. S. in School Psychology degree is designed to prepare school psychologist practitioners to work in school settings. Graduates of the program are immediately eligible for School Psychologist Certification from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential from the National Association of School Psychologists.

Student Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes guide the training and preparation of our Ed. S. in School Psychology degree candidates:

  1. Data-Based Decision Making
    Ed. S. candidates will acquire knowledge of a variety of assessment models and methods that enable them to develop expertise in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data for the purpose of making recommendations to improve the academic performance and/or social-emotional development of the children and adolescents with whom they work.
  2. Educational and Psychological Treatment Outcomes
    Ed. S. candidates will gain knowledge and develop skills associated with a wide-range of educational and psychological interventions that promote academic performance and social-emotional behavior.
  3. Program Development and Evaluation
    Ed. S. candidates will gain knowledge and skills of a variety of interventions and research methodologies that enable them to develop, implement, and evaluate school-based programs designed for children and adolescents.
  4. Multicultural Diversity
    Ed. S. candidates will acquire knowledge of identity development that facilitates the development of skills to work with students and families from diverse groups, thereby engaging in culturally-competent practice.
  5. Facilitation of Organizational Change
    Ed. S. candidates will acquire an understanding of the complexity of educational systems and the role school psychologists can play to promote systemic changes and improve services for children and adolescents.

The Ed. S. in School Psychology degree program consists of 60 hours of graduate coursework that includes coursework in psychological and educational foundations, psychoeducational assessment, and direct and indirect service delivery. Prevention and early intervention of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional problems through consultation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and systems-level interventions are highlighted throughout the program. The Ed. S. degree is a small cohort program that utilizes close relationships with faculty and field-based practitioners to develop professional skills.

Admission requirements include a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, current GRE Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing scores at or above the 50th percentile, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement describing professional goals (not to exceed five double-spaced typed pages). Following initial screening the finalists will invited for an on campus interview with the school psychology program faculty and Ed. S. candidates. Prerequisite coursework in developmental psychology and statistics is required for admission. All required application materials will be considered equally when making admission decisions. Applications are reviewed annually with a February 15 deadline.

Transfer credits may be granted for graduate coursework completed prior to entering the program, but strict limitations apply. The Ed. S. in School Psychology degree program involves a minimum of three years of intensive study. Although it is possible to complete the first year of the curriculum on a part-time basis, please note that practicum during the second year involves two days per week working in a school with a school psychologist, and internship is a yearlong fulltime supervised experience. Consequently, fulltime study is recommended and preferred.

Please consult the UM-St. Louis School Psychology Program Manual, FAQs, and Application Checklist for additional information about the program.

 

Educational Specialist in School Psychology (Ed. S.) Curriculum*

Fall I
ED PSY 6532      Psychoeducational Differences
ED PSY 6530      Foundations of School Psychology
ED PSY 6545      Consultation in Schools and Related Settings
ED REM 6750     Advanced Research Design in Education

Spring I
ED PSY 6310      Psychology of Learning Processes
ED PSY 6550      Professional Issues in School Psychology
ED REM 6718     Psychoeducational Assessment and Intervention II
ED REM 7771     Quantitative Research Methods I

Summer I
CNS ED 6010      Theories of Counseling
ED PSY 6210      Life-Span: Individual and Family Development

Fall II
ED PSY 6536      Biological Bases of Behavior
ED PSY 6540      Psychoeducational Interventions
ED PSY 6590      School Psychology Practicum I
ED REM 6719     Advanced Assessment in School Psychology

Spring II
CNS ED 6030      Foundations for Multicultural Counseling
ED PSY 6542      Psychotherapeutic Interventions in School Psychology
ED PSY 6591      School Psychology Practicum II
ED REM 6730     Educational Program Evaluation

Fall III
ED PSY 6598      School Psychology Internship

Spring III
ED PSY 6599      School Psychology Internship

*In addition to coursework, the following program level assessments are required for graduation: Praxis II School Psychology Examination, Portfolio, and Case Study