School Psychology - Educational Specialist Degree

Educational Specialist - School Psychology

Program Description

The Program is a 64-credit, graduate course of study, leading to Certification in School Psychology in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Program is recognized by the National Association of School Psychology (NASP) and has had this distinction from 1990. Students are provided with a competency-based program which moves sequentially from a strong knowledge base to acquisition of applied skills, and then, to the supervised practicum and internship experiences. Upon successful completion of a specified 30 credit hours of coursework (see Program Curriculum) a Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology is awarded. Following successful completion of the remaining 34 credit hours that includes a practicum and 1200, full-year internship, the student earns an Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) and is recommended for certification as a school psychologist to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  Students may transfer into the program after earning a master’s degree in Psychology or a closely related field elsewhere (see the FAQ for more details). The Commonwealth requires students take the Praxis examination before they can be certified as a School Psychologist. The program attempts to accommodate students who desire to complete the bulk of their program on a part-time, evening basis (with the exception of several summer courses and the practicum and internship experiences).

 Mission Statement

The purpose of the Millersville University School Psychology Educational Specialist Program is to recruit, retain, and prepare diverse and culturally responsive highly effective school psychologists who, as data-based decision makers and problem solvers, advocate for and support the educational success of all children.

Program Philosophy

The Millersville University School Psychology Educational Specialist Program ascribes to a practical ecological model which trains candidates to work effectively with the various systems that support students: the school, the family, and the community. The program prepares candidates to function as strong advocates, who are mindful of intersectionality and social justice, by relying on research evidence and incorporating best practices into the training program. Our program strives to incorporate new knowledge about the most effective practices as it emerges in the ever-changing field of school psychology.  The goal of coursework and field experiences is to ultimately prepare graduates to meet NASP professional standards by engaging in effective systems-level change across academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and health domains. Through the NASP approved program, students will graduate with practical and theoretical knowledge in assessment, consultation, and intervention that acknowledge historical and current systems of oppression and their impact on the field, now and going forward. The program seeks to provide students with an understanding of equity and inclusion beyond their basic definitions, but rather integrates them with course content. 

Program Objectives

The Program Objectives have been designed to reflect NASP’s training standards.

1. Enhance the development of wellness, resiliency, social skills, and life competencies.
2. Enhance the development of cognitive and academic skills.
3. Provide leadership in promoting effective and caring systems that support learning.
4. Make informed decisions based on data.
5. Practice in ways that meet all appropriate ethical, professional, and legal standards and with mindfulness of their social responsibility in serving others.
6. Apply technology to improve outcomes and support their efforts in serving others.
7. Be aware of issues of diversity and provide sensitive quality service to diverse populations.
8. Assist with and monitor the development of those interpersonal and collaborative skills that will enable candidates to work effectively and cooperatively with others.