Master of Arts in Psychology/Psychology Specialist: School Psychology

Cleveland State University's nationally approved (National Association of School Psychologists) and accredited (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) School Psychology specialization of the M.A. degree, in combination with the Psy.S. degree in School Psychology, comprise our School Psychology Program. The program views school psychologists as agents of change in children’s lives, focusing on children’s behavior and functioning within family, school, and community systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of consultative, behavior analytic, and intervention skills within urban school settings.

The curriculum includes a total of 51 semester credit hours of coursework for the Master of Arts degree, and 30 semester credit hours for the post-Master's Psychology Specialist (Psy.S., post-M.A.) degree. The first two years of study in the M.A. program phase provide intensive preparation in psychological foundations (e.g., child development, social psychology, research design) and in assessment methods (e.g., interviewing, observation, testing).  The second year of study includes a year-long, intensive (15 clock hours per week) field practicum to which students are assigned at the close of their first year of study.

The third-year Psy.S. phase further develops knowledge and skills in functional assessment of academic problems (with an emphasis on reading), problem-solving consultation, the role and function of the School Psychologist, and legal and ethical issues.  A series of seminars is offered during the nine-month, full-time internship year to address issues of timely significance.  The Psy.S. degree is awarded upon successful completion of the internship and related coursework.

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Department of Psychology
Phone: 216.687.2544
psychology@csuohio.edu

Admission Requirements

  • Application Form
  • Application Fee
  • Undergraduate Transcripts
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • GRE Test Scores for General Aptitude Test
  • Personal Statement
    • Write a brief biographical sketch describing factors or events that have contributed to your interest in School Psychology. What do you already know about this profession, and how does that knowledge relate to your interest in the CSU program? How do you plan to use your graduate education in School Psychology after graduation? Describe your interests in working in particular settings; with particular populations; or with an emphasis on specific skills or professional interests.

*Admission to the program is based on a combination of a candidate’s undergraduate GPA and the GRE score.  

-International students are required to have met at least one of the following English language proficiency requirements:

  • TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based): 78 & at least 17 in each section
  • TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based): 550
  • IELTS: 6.0 and at least 5.0 in each section
  • PTE (Pearson’s Test of English): 50
  • iTEP: 3.8

Admission Deadlines

All applications must be submitted and complete on the following application deadline dates:

  • Domestic Students
    • Rolling
  • International Students
    • Fall Semester – January 10th

 

Program Requirements

  • PSY 536  Functional Assessment of Behavior 
  • PSY 513  Tests and Measurement in School Psychology 
  • PSY 591  Lifespan Development I 
  • PSY 626  Role & Function of the School Psychologist I 
  • PSY 525   Social Psychology 
  • PSY 528   Intellectual Assessment and Practicum 
  • PSY 537   Child and Adolescent Assessment and Intervention 
  • PSY 564   Functional Assessment of Academic Behavior 
  • PSY 511  Univariate Statistics 
  • PSY 690  Field Placement I 
  • PSY 672  Multicultural Psychology and Diversity 
  • ESE 500  Introduction to Special Education 
  • PSY 572   Therapeutic Interventions 
  • PSY 637   Family-School Collaboration
  • PSY 691   Field Placement II
  • CNS 709  Clinical Psychopharmacology 

Award of Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree: 51 semester credit hours

  • PSY 670    Crisis Intervention in the Schools 
  • PSY 694    Directed Observation in Schools 
  • PSY 726    Role and Function of the School Psychologist II 
  • PSY 730    Reading Assessment and Intervention 
  • PSY 735    System Consultation in School Psychology 
  • PSY 736    Student-based Consultation in School Psychology 
  • PSY 790/791   Supervised Experience in School Psychology I (6 credits) and II (6)
  • PSY 795/796   Internship Seminar I (2) and II (2)

Award of Psychology Specialist (Psy.S.) Degree: 30 semester credit hours

Did You Know?

The mean annual wage for school psychologists is $85,340. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

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Career Outcomes

  • Successful completion of the Psy.S. program in School Psychology confers immediate eligibility for School Psychologist credentials from the Ohio Department of Education (educator licensure), authorizing employment by schools throughout Ohio. Graduates also are eligible to receive the Nationally Certified School Psychologist designation.
  • Recent graduates of the School Psychology program have been employed in public school districts, early childhood programs, day treatment centers for youth with serious emotional disturbances, and nonpublic schools.
  • These are some of the local companies that are hiring CSU grads: Therapy Source, Soliant Health, PSI, Parma City Schools, and Garfield Heights City Schools.