The Specialist in School Psychology degree program is a 72-hour graduate program that leads to state and national certification as a school psychologist. The program is approved by the National Association of School Psychology (NASP) and accredited through CAEP. The program is structured as a full-time, three-year training experience. The first two years are spent predominantly in classroom instruction with some field experiences. The final year is a 1200-hour internship involving full-time employment in an approved setting. Both an on-site professional school psychologist and an on-campus faculty member supervise the full-time internship.
Admission Procedures
The general University requirements are outlined in the University catalog and Graduate Studies policy. An applicant to the SSP degree program must meet all admission standards prior to entering the program. Applicants are expected to enter the program during the Fall semester and maintain a full-time academic course load throughout their program of study. Admission during Spring or Summer will be considered on a case-by-case basis. There are three calendar deadlines for receipt of all required program and University application materials: June 30 for Fall admission, November 30 for Spring admission, and April 30 for Summer admission.
In order to apply to the program, the applicant must first apply for admission into LSUS Graduate Studies. In addition, the applicant must also submit to the SSP Program Director:
1. At least two letters of reference;
2. Resume or vita;
3. A personal interview; and
4. A letter of intent expressing career and professional goals
5. (Optional) Official documentation of GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores.
Upon acceptance to LSUS Graduate Studies, the School Psychology Training Committee will make admission decisions based on all materials, including a review of the applicant’s transcripts to evaluate evidence that prerequisite foundations in Psychology are met. Applicants may apply up to 12 hours of transfer credit at the discretion of the committee. The SSP program publishes a student handbook, available on the program’s website, which provides admission guidelines and requirements. All materials must be received prior to the application deadlines for an application to be considered complete. Missing materials will move consideration of the application to the next academic semester. In addition, the applicant’s credentials should provide evidence of freedom from limitations that would compromise their success as a professional school psychologist. All necessary forms are available in the Department of Psychology. Admission decisions are made by the SPTC on a competitive basis.
Background Checks
Applicants to this program should be aware that the university and local education agencies require a mandatory criminal background check prior to practicum or internship.
Course Requirements
The LSUS training program provides educational and psychological foundations for delivering assessment, consultation, and intervention services in school settings. The SSP degree is awarded only after successful completion of courses, performance-based field experiences, acquisition of professional work characteristics, a comprehensive exam, and internship. Teaching methods in the first academic year are largely didactic in nature with the objective of providing a general foundation in Psychology and Education. In the second year, coursework is supplemented by the supervised demonstration of professional skills, including two practica. A comprehensive examination of psychological, educational, and professional foundations must be passed during the Spring of the second year. The third year emphasizes broad exposure to all elements of professional practice during a yearlong internship supervised by University-based staff as a supplement to supervision in the school setting.
Retention Policy
The SPTC requires students in the SSP program to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students may make one C in a course and remain in the program if their overall GPA is 3.0. If a student receives a second C in a course, regardless of overall GPA, that course must be repeated with a grade of B or better to remain in the program. Also, a C in three or more courses, or any grade below a C in a single course, will result in immediate dismissal from the program.
Comprehensive Examination and National Certification Exam
Before beginning an internship, students in the SSP program must pass a comprehensive written examination. Students become eligible for the examination when they have completed all foundation coursework. Prior to or during internship students are required to take the Praxis School Psychologist Examination. Students must pass the Praxis exam prior to earning the SSP degree. Additionally, a passing score on the Praxis exam qualifies students to apply for national certification by NASP.
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