Program Overview

Psychology - Specialist in School Psychology

Overview

The specialist program in School Psychology is fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. We provide our students with comprehensive curriculum, high quality training, and properly supervised field experiences that are consistent with the NASP 2020 Professional Standards. The mission of the specialist program, which emphasizes the scientist-practitioner model of training, is to develop entry-level competencies in our graduates so they can function as school psychologists in public and private schools. The specialist degree can be completed in three years with full time enrollment on campus for two years and a 9-month internship.

Point of Pride

The Specialist in School Psychology graduate program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists, the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation, and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Brea Banks

University Admission Requirements

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL .
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL .

Additional Program Admission Requirements

• Complete your application by January 1.
• Admission is offered only for the fall semester and is very competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission offers are sent in February. The Council for Graduate Schools stipulates that an applicant has until April 15 to accept or decline an admission offer. Some admission offers may be delayed until applicants notify the department that they are declining admission.

GPA

• You must have a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or 3.0 GPA for 9 hours of graduate coursework.

Undergraduate Coursework

• You must have completed at least 21 hours of undergraduate psychology courses, including:
  • General Psychology
  • Experimental Psychology or Research Methods
  • Psychological Statistics
• You’ll also need to have a proficiency in math. This includes any one of the following:
  • Passing grade in Finite Math or Pre-Calculus (MAT 120, 144, or equivalent)
  • B grade or better in Psychological Statistics (PSY 340 or equivalent)
  • Score of 144 or higher on the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE General Test

Writing Sample

• Submit a sample of your scholarly work (5-15 pages long).

Personal Statement

• Upload a personal statement that addresses the following:
  • Your professional and career goals
  • Factors that influenced your decision to enter a helping profession
  • Your expectations for professional training in school psychology
  • How your identities, background, and lived experiences have influenced your decision to pursue school psychology
  • Why you selected the specialist program in School Psychology
  • Why you should be admitted to the specialist program

Recommendation Contact Information

• Provide the names and email addresses for three individuals who will write a letter of recommendation for you.

Specialist Interviews

• The application process requires campus interviews which will be conducted via Zoom. Selected applicants will be notified about the interview schedule.

Application Deadlines

• Fall (August) Term — January 1
• Spring (January) Term — No spring admission
• Summer (May/June) Term — No summer admission

Graduate Assistantships

• The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

• To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally:
  • be admitted as a degree-seeking student to a graduate program
  • be in good-standing
  • be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 graduate credits) during the fall or spring semesters

Benefits

• monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
• a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
• a waiver for up to 12 credits of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Costs & Funding

• See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.