MA in School Psychology
Total units required for MA: 42-45
Program Description
The Master of Arts in School Psychology is part of the School Psychology Program, and typically earned as students progress toward the more advanced Ed.S. in School Psychology degree. Students who do not wish to obtain the Ed.S. are allowed to have this be their terminal School Psychology Program degree.
This program offers the opportunity to gain skills in working with preschool through grade 12 students, teachers, and parents in the school setting. Graduates of this degree who also complete practicum and fieldwork requirements (described in Pupil Personnel Services School Psychology Endorsement Credential) are eligible for the Pupil Personnel Services School Psychology Endorsement Credential, offered by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Possession of the MA in School Psychology and the Pupil Personnel Services School Psychology Endorsement Credential also prepares an individual to meet the academic requirements for the Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) license administered by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, California Department of Consumer Affairs.
The program includes training in counseling techniques, the use of individual academic and psychological assessment tools, behavioral interventions in the school and the home, consultation skills, techniques of program development and evaluation, special education law, and instructional strategies.
Note: If students are to graduate under the provisions of this catalog, they must maintain continuous enrollment from the date of classification to the date of graduation. Students who are planning to be absent for more than one semester must file a Leave of Absence request and have it approved prior to the absence.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Arts in School Psychology program requires admission to the Ed.S. in School Psychology degree program.
Admission Procedures
See Ed.S. in School Psychology for admission procedures. For more admissions information and application deadlines, visit the Office of Graduate Studies website, and the College of Education website. The graduate degree program is subject to general University requirements. These requirements are explained in the Graduate Degree Requirements section of the University Catalog.
Minimum Units and Grade Requirement for the Degree
Units required for the MA: 42-45
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0. No single course in which a student receives a grade below "B-" will be counted as credit toward the degree unless the student has petitioned for acceptance of the course, and the petition has been accepted and approved by the School Psychology Program faculty.
Note: A minimum of 21 of these units must be taken in residence at California State University, Sacramento. Use of extension courses must be approved by the advisor. Enrollment in Special Problems (EPSY 299) will only be granted under exceptional circumstances.
Advancement to Candidacy
Students must advance to candidacy prior to enrolling in EPSY 249 or EPSY 541. Students working toward a school psychology graduate degree must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of study. This procedure should begin (typically by the end of the first year in the program) as soon as the classified graduate student has:
- been assigned an advisor;
- removed any deficiencies in admission requirements;
- completed 24 units of School Psychology Program coursework with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA; and
- satisfied the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by passing EPSY 201, Legal Aspects of Special Education, with a grade of "B" or higher.
Advancement to Candidacy forms are available on the Office of Graduate Studies website. The student fills out the form after planning the degree program in consultation with a faculty advisor and approved by the Graduate Coordinator. The completed form is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval. Please note deadline dates posted by the Office of Graduate Studies for submission of this form. Students who are going on to the Ed.S. in School Psychology, are automatically advanced to Ed.S. candidate status after being awarded the MA in School Psychology.
Culminating Experience Requirements
Enrollment in the MA Seminar EPSY 249 or Master's Project EPSY 541 require students to file and have approved a Reservation Form for these courses the semester before intended registration. Registration for Special Problems (EPSY 299) requires a Special Problems petition be filed the semester before intended registration. This program follows guidelines provided by the American Psychological Association's, most current edition for formatting of projects. The Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 215, (916) 278-6470, offers formatting guides and templates on their website.
Graduation Procedures
Prior to graduation, an application for graduation must be filed in the Office of Graduate Studies by the specified deadline. All coursework leading to this degree must be completed within a seven year period. Always attend to deadline dates posted by the Office of Graduate Studies for submission of this form.
Program Requirements
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| EPSY 201 | Legal Aspects of Special Education | 3 |
| EPSY 221 EQUITY CONSIDERATIONS FOR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS | 3 | |
| EPSY 231 | Group Process in School Psychology | 3 |
| EPSY 245 | Psychology In The Schools | 3 |
| EPSY 248 | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EPSY 241 | Counseling and Psychotherapy for School Psychologists | 3 |
| EPSY 242A | Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| EPSY 250 | Educational Research | 3 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| EPSY 240 | Functional Assessment of Behavior | 3 |
| EPSY 244 | Social, Emotional and Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
| EPSY 246A | Preventive Academic Interventions | 3 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| EPSY 246B | Preventive Mental Health Interventions | 3 |
| EPSY 247 | Assessment of Special Needs | 3 |
| EPSY 249 | Special Seminar: School Psychology | 3 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Total Units | 42 | |