Program Overview

School Psychology Graduate Certificate Program

The School Psychology Graduate Certificate program is designed for individuals who have completed graduate degrees in psychology or counseling and require no more than 15 credit hours of additional specialized training to meet the licensure requirements to practice as a school psychologist.

Program Description

This post-master's graduate certificate is intended to supplement an existing graduate degree and does not represent licensure or certification in school psychology. The program is most appropriate for individuals who have a graduate degree in psychology or professional counseling and have already taken several foundational courses in psychology.

Admission Requirements

• Individuals must have completed a graduate degree in psychology or counseling.
• A minimum of 45 credit hours of graduate coursework is required.
• Students who are interested in School Psychology but have not completed a graduate degree in psychology or counseling should apply to the 62-hour M.Ed. in Educational Psychology with the School Psychology Concentration.

Program Structure

• The program consists of 15 credit hours.
• Courses are spread across three years due to practicum and internship requirements.
• Upon acceptance, each student receives an individualized plan indicating which courses they need to meet the licensure requirements.

Career Opportunities

The Graduate Certificate in School Psychology alone is insufficient to apply for licensure as a school psychologist. Instead, it is intended to provide supplemental coursework for individuals who have an advanced degree in another discipline, related to psychology or counseling, and are interested in respecializing in school psychology.

Licensure

Licensure can be obtained with a graduate degree in psychology, or related discipline, when combined with a graduate certificate in school psychology, with the completion of at least 60 hours, including a practicum and internship in school psychology.

Program Highlights

• Quality: The certificate program adheres to rigorous training standards for individuals respecializing to become school psychologists.
• Innovation: The hybrid model accommodates individuals who need more flexibility to balance work and family life.
• Connection: Using a cohort model, students progress through the course sequence together, building working relationships and personal connections with their peers and faculty.

Tuition Estimates

The average tuition estimate is $415-500 per credit hour, based on residency determination.

Faculty

The program faculty includes:

• Barbre, Stephanie, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Practice Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling
• Chapman, Christy, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Training Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling
• Stevens, Tara, Ed.D., Professor of Educational Psychology, Department Chair Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling

Accreditation

The school psychology program at Texas Tech University is not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP); however, the program standards align with those set forth by NASP.

Success Rate

Certificate program completers have a 100% pass rate on the Praxis Examination for School Psychologists.