Program Overview
M.A./Ed.S. in School Psychology
The M.A./Ed.S. program in school psychology at the University of Delaware prepares students for careers in school psychology, enabling graduates to obtain the necessary credentials to work as school psychologists in K-12 schools.
Program Overview
The program is based on the Standards for School Psychology Training Programs developed by the National Association of School Psychologists (2020). It is a 3-year program with three full-time faculty members in school psychology and an enrollment of 24 full-time students.
What Do School Psychologists Do?
School psychologists are involved in problem-solving in schools, which may include assessing children's intellectual, social, and emotional functioning, designing and implementing interventions, consulting and collaborating with parents, teachers, and others, and designing and implementing comprehensive prevention and intervention programs.
School Psychologist vs. School Counselor
School psychology training brings together the knowledge base of several disciplines, including child psychology and development and education with an emphasis on special education. School counselors, on the other hand, typically work with the total school population regarding various issues, such as family and academic problems, career planning, and course schedules.
Philosophy and Goals
The program is grounded in the scientist/practitioner model in psychology and is committed to the School of Education's emphasis on the roles of Scholar, Problem Solver, and Partner. The program's philosophy is reflected in the following goals:
- Students will adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct and will demonstrate respect for the dignity, worth, and individual differences of children of all cultures and backgrounds.
- Students will use multiple methods of gathering reliable and valid data in the design and implementation of a variety of empirically-supported interventions for addressing problems faced by children, schools, and families.
- Students will acquire an in-depth understanding of modern theories and research in the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of children, including knowledge of family and school systems, and will apply such knowledge to the practice of school psychology.
- Students will develop a strong knowledge base specific to the profession of school psychology, including its history and foundations, the various roles and functions of school psychologists, and alternative models by which services are delivered.
- Students will acquire and apply specific competencies in school psychology, especially in the areas of assessment, consultation, prevention, and direct interventions, while using an ecological, problem-solving approach in the delivery of psychological services in the schools.
- Students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement comprehensive mental health services, especially school-based services for promoting mental health and preventing social, emotional, and academic problems.
- Students will work collaboratively and effectively with teachers, administrators, support staff, community agencies, children, and their families, and others in the delivery of psychological services in the schools.
- Students will apply a data-based, scientific problem-solving approach to the delivery of all services, including assessment and intervention.
- Students will develop sufficient knowledge and skills in research, statistics, and evaluation and apply such knowledge and skills in the design and evaluation of programs and services in the schools.
- Students will develop the knowledge and skills in technology to apply in assessment, record keeping, communication, intervention, research, statistics, and evaluation, as well as other areas related to school psychological services.
- An additional goal for students in the Ph.D. program is that they will conduct scholarly research in which they demonstrate competence in identifying critical problems in education and psychology, reviewing and integrating existing research, designing studies and experiments that competently address such problems, collecting and analyzing data using a variety of modern statistical procedures, and formally communicating results to other researchers and practitioners.
Program Requirements
The Specialist program requires three years of full-time study. With special permission from the student's adviser and program coordinator, the equivalent of one year of coursework may be completed part-time.
- New students apply to and first enter the Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Psychology program.
- Upon completion of the first year of coursework (30 credits) and passing of a comprehensive exam, students are awarded an M.A. in School Psychology.
- All students are expected to continue their studies to earn the Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology, which requires 30 additional credits, including a 1,200-hour internship.
Coursework for Specialist Students
First Year (Master's Level)
During the first year, students complete the following coursework:
- EDUC 618: Introduction to School Psychology
- EDUC 663: Counseling Skills Laboratory
- EDUC 817: Individual Intelligence Testing
- EDUC 744: Educational Measurement and Progress Monitoring
- EDUC 814: Psychological Assessment of Children
- EDUC 623: Applied Human Development
- EDUC 671: Practicum in School Psychology
- EDUC 679: Instructing Elementary/Middle Schoolers with Mild Disabilities
- EDUC 830: Consultation and Intervention: School Discipline
- EDUC 870: Child Neuropsychology or EDUC 842: Assessment of Special Populations
Second Year (Specialist Level)
In the second year, students complete the following Specialist coursework:
- EDUC 831: Advanced Counseling Techniques
- EDUC 671: Practicum in School Psychology
- EDUC 691: Applied Statistics and Research Design
- EDUC 813: Child Psychopathology
- EDUC 651: School-Based Family Issues and Interventions
- EDUC 841: Consultation and Intervention: Mental Health
- EDUC 870: Child Neuropsychology or EDUC 842: Assessment of Special Populations
Third Year (Internship)
During the third and final year of the School Psychology Specialist Program, students complete the following requirements:
- Enroll in EDUC 688: Internship in School Psychology, for 3 credits or 6 credits per semester
- Pass the PRAXIS Exam in School Psychology
- Complete the portfolio and have it approved
- Complete the Application for Advanced Degree for conferral of the Specialist Degree
Field Experience
Practica
Three carefully constructed practica are a part of every student's program. The first practicum course orients students to the educational process and focuses on assessment skills. In addition to administering and interpreting a variety of assessment tools, students implement an academic intervention with an individual child and conduct a functional behavior assessment linked to intervention.
Internships
For students in the specialist program, an internship is completed in the third year of training. The objective of the internship is to ensure competency and integration of knowledge and skills in all domains of school psychology and to broaden such knowledge and skills.
Admissions Information
To apply to the M.A./Ed.S. in School Psychology program, complete the steps of the UD online graduate application process. Specialist candidates first apply to the M.A. in School Psychology program.
- GRE General Test scores are optional for 2026.
- Three letters of recommendation are required.
- A personal statement is required, answering specific questions.
- No writing samples or supplemental documents are required.
- A resume is required.
Application Deadlines
The school psychology program is accepting applications for the academic year until December 15.
Candidate Dispositions
The School Psychology program seeks candidates for admission with qualities that will enable them to become outstanding school psychologists. School psychologists must have the skills to analyze educational problems at all levels of the system, design, implement, and evaluate interventions to prevent or solve these problems, and collaborate with families, educators, and community members to promote healthy educational and psychological outcomes for all children.
Admissions Assessment Process
Several basic considerations guide the admissions process:
- Evidence of the dispositions cited above in the applicant's written statements, letters of recommendation, and interview.
- A minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 in all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- Submission of GRE verbal and quantitative scores.
- Submission of three letters of recommendation.
- TOEFL or IELTS for applicants whose primary language is not English.
Financial Support
Over the past 20 years, nearly all of the specialist students have received financial support in the form of assistantships and tuition scholarships. Decisions regarding financial support are made annually and are based on availability.
Program Annual Report and Student Outcomes Data
The University of Delaware school psychology program received full approval in 1994 and has maintained full approval. During the 2023 review, some suggestions were noted, and while the program maintained its approved status, it is with the condition that there will be a follow-up site visit in the fall of 2025 to assess the program's response to the recommendations.