Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology/Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology, Ed.S/M.A./Credential

The Attallah College of Educational Studies offers an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology. Students may also earn a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology. The school psychology program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists and the International Association of School Psychologists. The program prepares students to serve as psychologists in schools for ages preschool through high school. The program is designed as a full-time, three-year or six-semester program. With approval of an alternative program of study, candidates may attend part-time and complete the program in four years or eight semesters.

In keeping with the Attallah College of Educational Studies commitment to developing global citizenship, students are encourage to consider participating in at least one international learning experience during the course of their program.

Admission to the program

Acceptance into the graduate programs in school psychology is based on multiple criteria. These criteria include:

1. Previous academic achievement: Candidates are expected to hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.
2. Commitment to the program mission: Candidates are required to submit an autobiographical statement that describes the life experiences that have shaped their choice of school psychology as a profession and their commitment to the program mission as described below:
   The mission of Chapman University is to provide a personalized education of distinction that leads to inquiring, ethical and productive lives as global citizens.
   The school psychology program at Chapman University builds on this mission by preparing knowledgeable, skilled and reflective school psychologists who are effective change agents for individuals, families and communities. Graduates of the school psychology program have strong interpersonal and collaborative skills and are prepared to be advocates for youth of varying abilities, cultural heritages and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is important that graduates are capable and committed to being leaders in the field of school psychology.
3. Knowledge of the profession.
4. Experience working with children and families: Candidates must submit a current resume outlining their experiences working with children and families. The program has a special interest in candidates who have experience in multilingual and multicultural settings.
5. Experience in public schools.

Admissions procedures and deadlines

In keeping with the university’s mission, the pupil personnel services program is committed to providing a personalized education of distinction. To meet this goal, the program will only enroll a limited number of students each academic year. After initial screening of the application materials, selected prospective students will be invited for an in-person interview with faculty. Accurate annual deadline information is available on the program website. To be considered for admission to the school psychology program, all candidates must submit the documents listed below:

1. Online Graduate Application.
2. Supplemental Application (part of the online application).
3. An autobiographical statement of approximately 750 words in length, double-spaced. It will be reviewed by faculty to assess the applicant’s suitability for the program. Further description is provided in the online application.
4. A current resume or vita that includes information outlining experiences working with children and/or families.
5. Official transcripts from the undergraduate degree granting institute of higher education.
6. Two letters of recommendation. Both letters should be accompanied by Chapman University recommendation forms. At least one recommendation must be from someone who has experience with the candidate in an academic setting and knowledge of the candidate’s academic potential. A second recommendation must be from someone who knows the candidate in a work setting, preferably one where the candidate works with children. Information from the recommendations is used to help make judgments regarding a prospective candidate’s suitability and potential for professional success in the field of school psychology, including the appropriate personal characteristics.
7. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.

Joint consideration into Ed.S. in School Psychology and Ph.D. in Education

Applicants may apply for regular admission to the Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology and simultaneous conditional acceptance to the Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in school psychology. If interested in this option, applicants must indicate their choice on the supplemental application for the Ed.S. in School Psychology program. Applicants must complete the regular admission process for the Ed.S. program and have their files reviewed by the director of the Ph.D. in Education program. If approved by the school psychology faculty and the director of the Ph.D. in Education program, applicants will receive full admission to the Ed.S. program and conditional acceptance to the Ph.D. in Education. To receive conditional acceptance to the Ph.D. program, applicants must achieve regular admission to the Ed.S. program. Applicants will be assigned an Ed.S. and doctoral advisor.

After completion of 24 credits, including at least one 700-level doctoral class, students may apply for regular acceptance to the Ph.D. program by completing a new graduate application (no fee is required). Applicants will be considered for regular acceptance if they have:

1. No outstanding incompletes.
2. Achieved a minimum 3.750 grade point average in program coursework.
3. Earned an A- or its equivalent on the First Year Research Paper in the Ed.S. program.

Applications will be reviewed by the director of the Ph.D. in Education program and the school psychology program faculty. If students are approved by both the faculty and the director, they will receive regular acceptance into the Ph.D. program. Students who have not met the criteria may complete the Ed.S. degree, even if they do not achieve regular acceptance into the Ph.D. program.

Transfer policy

Up to six semester credits of graduate coursework may be transferred into the program from other regionally accredited graduate institutions upon approval of a petition by the program coordinator and the dean or associate dean of the Attallah College of Educational Studies. (See Academic Policies and Procedures  for transfer guidelines.)

Program prerequisites

All candidates must pass one of the basic skills requirements. Please see the options at the following link http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl667.pdf.

Fieldwork requirement

Students in the school psychology program must complete a minimum of 600 hours of practicum fieldwork (CSP 534 , CSP 535 ) and 1,200 hours of internship/final fieldwork (CSP 622 , CSP 623 ). The majority of these hours must be completed in a K-12 public school setting. All hours must be under the supervision of an experienced professional with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology.

Demonstration of mastery

Faculty members review students each semester to determine if they demonstrate the skills, knowledge and professional attitudes necessary to be successful school psychologists. Additionally, students must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA. Students who demonstrate these qualities will be invited to continue in the program. If faculty members have concerns about students in any of these areas, they will be asked to meet with an advisor and may be dismissed from the program. Candidates can earn the M.A. in Educational Psychology after completing 54 credits, preparing a professional portfolio and passing an oral interview. Students earn the Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology and the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology after completing 69 obtaining a score of 147 on the ETS Praxis examination in school psychology, preparing a second professional portfolio and passing an oral interview. Students who do not attain a score of 147 after two attempts may petition the program coordinator to take an alternative comprehensive examination.

Requirements for the Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology/Master of Arts in Educational Psychology degree

Students pursuing graduate degrees are held to the University’s Academic Policies and Procedures . In addition these specific degree standards apply:

• Complete a minimum of 600 hours of practicum fieldwork (CSP 534 , CSP 535 ) and 1,200 hours of internship/final fieldwork (CSP 622 , CSP 623 ).
• Maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA.
• Minimum grade “C+” or above required in all coursework.

Students earn the Master of Arts in Educational Psychology after:

• Completing 54 credits of required coursework for the master’s degree.
• Preparing a professional portfolio.
• Passing an oral interview.

Students earn an Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology after:

• Completing 69 credits.
• Preparing a second professional portfolio.
• Passing a final oral interview.
• Earning a score of 147 on the ETS Praxis examination in school psychology.

The following courses make up the Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology/M.A. in Educational Psychology degree curriculum: