Psychology (School Psychology Concentration), Master of Arts
The School Psychology concentration is designed for students interested in providing mental health services in school settings. This concentration requires sixty (60) semester credit hours. The first year is devoted to preparation in the foundations of psychology, including ethics, counseling theory, and the assessment and diagnosis of learning, emotional and behavioral problems. The second year includes training in counseling, consultation, intervention strategies, and a supervised practicum (150 clock hours). The third year consists of an internship of no fewer than 1,200 clock hours, 600 of which must be completed in a public school. Upon completion of this concentration and an acceptable score on the National School Psychology Examination, students are eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) from the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) or from boards in other states which have similar requirements.
Admission to the graduate program in the Department of Psychology is competitive. A student may be admitted to the graduate program if, in the judgment of the faculty, his or her qualifications indicate a strong likelihood of successful completion of the graduate program. It should be noted that not all qualified students can be admitted. Non-psychology majors or minors may be required to take undergraduate prerequisites before being considered for admission to the program. The department considers the entire packet of information in the application for admission. Students are selected on the basis of their total record of academic achievement, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience.
Specific requirements are:
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.75
- A minimum GPA of 2.75 in psychology coursework
- Application, vitae/resume, all college transcripts
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation (3)
- Application processing fee $50.00 Resident $75.00 International
- A minimum of twelve (12) semester credit hours of undergraduate psychology.
8. If international, a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper based test or 213 on the computer based test or 79 on the internet based test is required, an official IELTS score can be submitted in lieu of TOEFL in which case a minimum overall band score of 6.0 is required.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 45 | |
| Concentration Requirements | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Core Curriculum Requirements1
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 533 | Survey Psy Statistics | 3 |
| PSY 539 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| PSY 540 | Consultation | 3 |
| PSY 541 | Psychological Assessment I | 3 |
| PSY 542 | Learning and Behavior Management | 3 |
| PSY 631 | Research Design | 3 |
| PSY 632 | Theories of Counseling and Psychological Inerventions | 3 |
| PSY 635 | Psychological Counseling, Interviewing, and Report Writing | 3 |
| PSY 640 | Professional Orientation in the Field of Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 641 | Social, Cultural, and Systemic Bases of Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 643 | Psychological Assessment II | 3 |
| PSY 730 | Eth & Legal Issues in Men Hlth | 3 |
| PSY 733 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 735 | Practicum | 3 |
| PSY 739 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
CONCENTRATION REQUIRMENTS
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 899 | School Psychology Internship | 6 |
| EDCI 531 | Classroom Management | 3 |
| Select two of the following | 6 | |
| Curr Dev Early Childhood Ed | ||
| Curriculum & Instruction | ||
| Psycho-Ed Intervention | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
Please note that ENG 501 is required if GRE Analytical Writing score is less than 3.5.
Comprehensive Exam is taken in the 3rd year.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| PSY 539 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| PSY 632 | Theories of Counseling and Psychological Inerventions | 3 |
| PSY 730 | Eth & Legal Issues in Men Hlth | 3 |
| PSY 739 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PSY 533 | Survey Psy Statistics | 3 |
| PSY 540 | Consultation | 3 |
| PSY 541 | Psychological Assessment I | 3 |
| PSY 635 | Psychological Counseling, Interviewing, and Report Writing | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PSY 542 | Learning and Behavior Management | 3 |
| PSY 641 | Social, Cultural, and Systemic Bases of Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 643 | Psychological Assessment II | 3 |
| PSY 731 | Role of School Psychologist | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PSY 631 | Research Design | 3 |
| PSY 735 | Practicum | 3 |
| EDCI 531 | Classroom Management | 3 |
| Select one from the three elective options below: 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PSY 733 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 899 | School Psychology | 3 |
| Select one from the three elective options below 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PSY 899 | School Psychology Internship | 3 |
| *Comprehensive Exam is taken in 3rd year | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |