Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling

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Master of Science in Counseling - School Psychology

Program Advisors:
Albert Restori alberto.restori@csun.edu 818-677-4572	Wilda Laija-Rodriguez    wilda.laija@csun.edu    818-677-7889	Doris Jones-Nicol doris.jones@csun.edu 818-717-4013	Shari Tarver-Behring shari.tarver.behring@csun.edu   818-677-2545

The School Psychology specialization is designed for the individual who wishes to become a school psychologist. Applicants without an earned master's degree in counseling (or a closely related field) should apply for the master's degree program in School Psychology. This is a three-year, year-round, full-time program that requires 1,650 hours (450 hours of fieldwork and 1,200 hours of internship).

Those applicants who possess a master's degree in counseling (or closely related area) may apply for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology, which is an individualized program based on the relevant courses you have already completed in your master's program. This is a two-year program that also requires 1,650 hours of experience in the field.

School psychologists are typically hired to work in public school settings, though they may also work in private schools and (with additional experience and licensure as a Licensed Educational Psychologist) in individual practice settings.

Admission Requirements for All Masters Programs

The admission requirements for classified standing in all degrees are:

1. Completion of application and meeting admissions requirements of the University. (Application available at the Admissions Office.) Requirements include:
   1. Acceptable score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS, REGARDLESS OF UNDERGRADUATE GPA.Other tests such as the MAT ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
   2. Successfully pass the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam.
   3. A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.
2. 
   
3. Completion of application for admission to the Department graduate programs. See program advisors for specific details. This includes:
   1. Two letters of recommendation.
   2. An admission interview.
   3. Approval by the Department Student Affairs Committee.
   4. Resume.
   5. Personal Statement
4. 
   
5. Satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses pertinent to the specialization selected,with a grade of B-or better.

As of 2007, the experimental joint program in Marriage and Family Therapy and School Psychology has been suspended for the foreseeable future. Applicants interested in earning both the MFT and Pupil Personnel Credential in School Psychology should apply to the MFT program, and upon completing that program, to the Advanced program in School Psychology.

Core Program for the M.S. in Counseling

Additional Requirements for the M.S. in Counseling with a Specialization in School Psychology.**

Suggested Course Sequence by Semester*

[26-Aug-07]