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Master’s Degree in School Psychology

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Choose Saint Rose for your Graduate Degree in School Psychology

Housed in the Thelma P. Lally School of Education, which awards more degrees and certificates in education than any other college or university in New York State, the school psychology program at Saint Rose is committed to addressing issues of social justice and diversity, as well as being on the forefront of educational and mental health services delivered via remote technologies.

We take a practical approach to the work, led by experts in various facets of school psychology, including assessment, mental health, behavioral and academic interventions, and working with diverse students and families.

The faculty constantly receive requests for school psychologists from districts around the country. Program graduates are valued for their broad skill base, which includes counseling and consultation, testing and evaluation, and mental-health and academic intervention, honed by experience working with all types of populations – rural, urban, and suburban.

The school psychology program at Saint Rose has been accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) since 2009. By completing the College’s NASP-accredited program and passing the Praxis II School Psychology exam, students will be eligible to become Nationally Certified School Psychologists. For well over a decade, Saint Rose students have had a 100% pass rate on the exam, and the College is one of the top producers of Nationally Certified School Psychologists in the United States.

School psychologists collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students that strengthen connections between home and school. To find out more about what it means to be a school psychologist visit National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

The job outlook is one of the strongest and as a career one of the best. With a mean salary of $79,820 per year, school psychologists earn more than many other social service jobs within the education system. (US News & World Report, 2022)

Love this Class

When Saint Rose Associate Professor Steve Hoff teaches school psychology classes, he applies experiences with the young people he sees every week. In addition to teaching, Dr. Hoff, a licensed psychologist, works privately and in schools, helping children and teens cope with violence, loss, substance abuse, and mental illness. He coaches future school psychologists to be honest, respectful, and positive. We visited a recent class to see how he does it and how students respond.

Program Highlights

Our graduate program combines a strong interdisciplinary focus with an emphasis on clinical experience.

School Psychology Class of 2017

School Psychology Class of 2017

You will learn hands-on skills through coursework and direct experiences. We use the cooperative learning and case study methods of teaching so that candidates are able to understand how the theoretical approaches being studied can be applied in actual school situations. We foster an atmosphere of collaboration, in which each cohort member want to help the other succeed.

  • The curriculum integrates courses in school psychology, educational psychology, counseling, and special education
  • Many classes include field work providing for diverse learning environments and experiences
  • All candidates must complete a 240 hour practicum and a 1200 hour internship
  • After 18 months of study, candidates will earn a Masters of Science in Education
  • Upon completing the Internship, candidates earn their Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) and are eligible for New York State Certification
  • Over the last several years, 100% of our students have passed the Praxis II School Psychology Exam, which makes them eligible to become a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), a credential accepted by more than 30 states.

Program Annual Report and Student Outcomes Data

Curriculum

Master’s Degree Program

School psychology is part of educational psychology, located within the School of Education. Our students are full time. Courses are taken primarily in the spring and fall semesters, although some courses are required during the summer sessions. Review our Handbook for further information. After completing three semesters of course work, candidates receive their master’s in education. In the spring of their second year, candidates complete their one-semester practicum. In the third year, candidates complete their full-time internship. Upon completing the internship, candidates receive their Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) and are eligible for provisional New York State Certification. Passing the Praxis II School Psychology exam allows the candidate to apply for National Certification (NCSP) through NASP.

View Full Course Requirements

Consistent with the scientist practitioner model of training, our program combines a strong theoretical framework with empirically based research to inform candidates’ work with children and families. The framework, merging systems thinking and a dynamic understanding of personality development, provides a template that guides case formulation, decision making and intervention design. Emphasis on child and family strengths, resiliency, and cultural context are cornerstones of our philosophy.

 

We merge seminal works and theories of school psychology with contemporary research and methodology. For example, the national trend toward Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), which addresses academic performance as well as mental and behavioral health in order to improve educational outcomes for all, weaves through numerous courses. Furthermore, our approach to psychoeducational assessment reflects cutting edge evidenced based practices with emphasis on the Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW) approach.

Upon graduation from our program, candidates will be able to think critically, optimistically, and passionately about what they will bring to the children, families, and communities they serve. Candidates will embrace the role of systems change agent, problem solver, and child and family advocate.

The development of courses has been guided by our philosophy and the NASP Domains of School Psychology Training and Practice. The curriculum is designed to foster our analytical approach and bolster the skills necessary for its application in the school setting.

Course material can be broadly broken down into the following goal areas:

  • To prepare candidates to utilize evidence based practice in assessment, consultation and intervention.
  • To instill knowledge of human development in cognitive and social emotional arenas from a strength based perspective.
  • To develop a foundation for professional, ethical practice and advocacy
  • To further candidates’ appreciation of the diverse characteristics of the people and communities with whom they work
  • To encourage candidates to embrace a systems level approach for case formulation and intervention planning.

School Psychology

  • Cognitive, Academic and Social Emotional Assessment
  • Consultation
  • Advanced Developmental Psychology
  • Introduction to School Psychology
  • Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
  • Mental Health Interventions and Academic Interventions
  • Practicum and Internship

Special Education

  • Introduction to Exceptional Individuals
  • Approaches to Classroom Management

Educational Psychology

  • Educational Research
  • Theories of Learning
  • Psychology of Diversity
  • Statistics
  • Integrative Seminar in Educational Psychology

Counseling

  • Counseling Children and Adolescents
  • Group Counseling

What Our Students Say

Our classroom hero: Catie Magil G’07, G’16

Pursuing a master’s degree in school psychology was a backup plan for Catie Magil after she realized she didn’t want to work toward her doctorate in clinical psychology. But she quickly fell in love with the field. She got her start in the City School District of Albany, later worked in Saratoga Springs, earned advanced certificates in school business leader and school district leader at Saint Rose in the midst of it all, and recently started a new job with the Scotia-Glenville Central School District.

Lajuana Berry '21

I School Psych because I want to advocate for student success! #WhyISchoolPsych”

Lajuana Berry G’21,
MSED in School Psychology

Admission Requirements

  • A complete Saint Rose Graduate School application
  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • THREE letters of recommendation regarding personal and academic qualifications
  • TWO of the three letters should be from a college professor
  • Participation in scheduled group and individual interview
  • An undergraduate Grade Point Average of 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers on the application and interview process, the practicum and internship, as well as financial considerations for assistantships, scholarships, and working while in the school psychology program.

View FAQ's

Exceptional Faculty

Our faculty hold you to the highest standards of ethics and transparency as well as academic excellence, and encourage you and your classmates to be effective in all aspects of the program.

Dr. Steve Hoff Associate Professor of School Psychology

View Full Bio

Dr. Andrew Shanock Professor of School Psychology

I have been teaching at The College of Saint Rose since 2005 and am chair of the School Psychology/Educational Psychology Department. I specializes in cognitive and academic assessment.

I have years of experience as a school psychologist in public, parochial, and charter schools within urban, suburban, and rural districts, and I love bringing my experiences into the classroom to help my Saint Rose students better understand the field.

View Full Bio

Dr. Kaitlin Gould Assistant Professor of School Psychology

I have worked in a clinical role at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a research role at the May Institute prior to coming to Saint Rose. Generally, my research interests include behavioral intervention, neurodiversity, and intervention acceptability.

I bring a strong behavioral perspective and work to expand student access to behavioral training and credentialing.

Dr. Steve HoffAssociate Professor of School Psychology

View Full Bio

Dr. Andrew ShanockProfessor of School Psychology

I have been teaching at The College of Saint Rose since 2005 and am chair of the School Psychology/Educational Psychology Department. I specializes in cognitive and academic assessment.

I have years of experience as a school psychologist in public, parochial, and charter schools within urban, suburban, and rural districts, and I love bringing my experiences into the classroom to help my Saint Rose students better understand the field.

View Full Bio

Dr. Kaitlin GouldAssistant Professor of School Psychology

I have worked in a clinical role at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a research role at the May Institute prior to coming to Saint Rose. Generally, my research interests include behavioral intervention, neurodiversity, and intervention acceptability.

I bring a strong behavioral perspective and work to expand student access to behavioral training and credentialing.

News & Resources

Growing school psychology program awarded NASP accreditation once again

The school psychology program at Saint Rose has held NASP accreditation since 2009. Find out why that’s important to students and employers.

Read more about NASP accreditation

10 Reasons to be a School Psychologist

Visit the Thriving School Psychologist Collective to view their top reasons to become a school psychologist.

Read more about why to become a school psychologist

Saint Rose Receives $1.1 Million Grant to Train Educators to Address Issues of Diversity, Mental Health, Among Special Education Students

The College of Saint Rose has received a $1.1 million federal grant for its Thelma P. Lally School of Education to develop teachers and school psychologists who are highly skilled at working with school-age children with disabilities by viewing their

Read more about the Project THRIVE grant

School psychologists: Educators who wear many hats

School psychologists offer young people help through a crisis or just a quiet place to spend an hour. The nationally accredited master’s degree at Saint Rose thoroughly prepares educators for jobs across the country.

Read more about the roles of the school psychologist

Contact Us Now

Of course, if you have any questions, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Andrew Shanock, Ph.D., NCSP

Department Chair

Contact Information

518.337.5694

 

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