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School Psychology

Aerial photo of WSU campus with the following quote: "School psychology is a great career to go into. I think in some aspects you can advocate for students to a much larger degree than other educational professionals... It is not an easy endeavor but I really think well worth it." Statement by Craig McDaniel, Director of Residential Clinical Services, Heartspring.

School Psychology

This program leads to the Specialist in Education (EdS) degree in school psychology. School psychologists collaborate with educators and families to help ensure the academic, social, behavioral, and emotional progress of children and youth in schools.

As school practitioners, school psychologists share their consultation, assessment, intervention, and research expertise with youth, families, and educators to promote healthy cognitive, social, and emotional development.

The program coursework prepares a student for the PRAXIS licensure exam required by the State of Kansas for application for a School Psychologist license. Completion of the PRAXIS licensure exam with a passing score is required by the State of Kansas for a candidate applying for a School Psychologist license.

Benefits

Excellent Job Prospects

For the past several years, all graduates of WSU's School Psychology program have become employed upon graduation.

Satisfying Career

In 2016, US News and World Report ranked School Psychology as #2 in Social Services jobs and #57 in the 100 Best Jobs.

Dual Programming

Program graduates will have earned the EdS degree in School Psychology and will be eligible for certification/licensure as a school psychologist.

Nationally-Approved Program

The EdS program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

State-Approved Program

The Kansas State Department of Education has approved WSU's School Psychology program.

Flexible Programming

  • Courses are offered in the late afternoons and evenings so students can work full time while completing the degree. Some courses are offered in online/hybrid formats and summer courses are available.
  • Students can enter the 60-hour program after obtaining an undergraduate degree and can move through the program in two to three years going fulltime. Or students may choose to attend part time.
  • Students with an earned Master's in a related field can enter the 39-hour program and go full time or part time.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certificate Option

Students admitted to the School Psychology program may pursue the ABA Certificate concurrently or after program completion.

Mission Statement

The Department of Intervention Services & Leadership in Education (CLES) offers the Specialist in Education (EdS) degree in School Psychology. The School Psychology program at Wichita State University is based on the practitioner-scientist model, in which, a scientific evidence-based orientation to practice is emphasized throughout program training. The goal of our program is to prepare students to be psychoeducational consultants and competent school psychologists whose services positively impact consumers served. Specifically, as practitioners who collaborate with educators and families to promote healthy cognitive, social, and emotional development of children and youth. Prominent among their services are consultation, assessment, and intervention. It is our philosophy that all children and young learners have the right to be successful. The program model is consistent with the mission and vision of the university to require students to apply their skill sets in practical, real world contexts. In addition, the program is organized around the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) standards and is designed for students to meet state competencies and acquire school licensure from the Kansas State Department of Education. The Wichita State University School Psychology program is fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

Program Requirements

Bachelor's to EdS Options

The Specialist in Education (EdS) in school psychology requires 60 credit hours of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree. The degree is awarded upon completion of coursework and a practicum. A minimum grade of B- is required for the following core courses: CESP 821, CESP 824, CESP 854, CESP 855, CESP 858, CESP 859, CESP 915, CLES 861, CESP 803, CLES 715 and CESP 851 in addition to an overall 3.000 GPA.

Required Courses

  • CESP 704 - Introduction to Educational Statistics*
  • CESP 728 - Theories of Human Development*
  • CESP 803 - Counseling Theory*
  • CESP 824 - Techniques of Counseling*
  • CESP 835 - Psychopathology and the DSM*
  • CESP 840 - Introduction to School Psychology and Exceptional Children*
  • CESP 851 - Ethics and Professional Conduct in School Psychology
  • CESP 854 - Individual Achievement Assessment
  • CESP 855 - Individual Intelligence Assessment
  • CLES 861 - Behavioral, Social, and Emotional Assessment
  • CESP 859 - Curriculum Based Academic Assessment and Interventions
  • CESP 915 - Consultation Techniques
  • CESP 821 - Multicultural Issues*
  • CLES 715 - Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis
  • CESP 858 - Research, Program Evaluation, and Assessment
  • CESP 946 - Practicum in School Psychology
  • CLES 945 - Fieldwork in School Psychology
  • 9 credit hours of elected courses are required
Licensure
  • CESP 977 - Internship in School Psychology
    • A 4-credit-hour requirement for full licensure taken post-degree.

*These courses may be waived if satisfied by prior Master’s degree coursework.

Post-Master's Options

The EdS in school psychology requires 39 credit hours of coursework beyond a Master's degree. For full licensure in school psychology, candidates must apply for a professional school license, register for a 4-credit-hour post-specialist internship, and complete the full-time, one-year internship in a public school.

The program can be completed in a full-time or part-time format.

Required Prerequisite Knowledge

  • CESP 704 - Introduction to Educational Statistics
  • CESP 728 - Theories of Human Development
  • CESP 840 - Introduction to School Psychology and Exceptional Children
  • CESP 803 - Counseling Theory
  • CESP 821 - Multicultural Issues
  • CESP 824 - Techniques of Counseling
  • CESP 835 - Psychopathology and the DSM

Students may take up to 9 credit hours of prerequisite knowledge courses as electives within the 39-credit-hour program of study.

Note: Prerequisite knowledge will be assessed by review of graduate transcripts.

Required Courses

  • CLES 715 - Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis
  • CESP 851 - Ethics and Professional Conduct in School Psychology
  • CESP 854 - Individual Achievement Assessment
  • CESP 855 - Individual Intelligence Assessment
  • CESP 858 - Research, Program Evaluation and Assessment
  • CESP 859 - Curriculum Based Academic Assessment and Intervention
  • CLES 861 - Behavioral, Social and Emotional Assessment
  • CESP 915 - Consultation Techniques
  • CLES 945 - Field Experience in School Psychology
  • CLES 946 - Practicum in School Psychology

9 credit hours of elective courses are required

Licensure

  • CESP 977 - Internship in School Psychology
  • A 4-credit-hour requirement for full licensure taken post-degree.

Background Check

Upon admission and prior to their first semester, all applicants admitted to this program must clear a criminal background check. There are two reasons for this requirement. First, it is part of the university’s due diligence before placing students in field settings. Second, the check may alert applicants or students to issues that may subsequently affect their ability to work in their chosen field. In instances when a person’s criminal history raises reasonable concerns that should be cleared to engage in the field experiences and/or subsequently obtain licensure/endorsement, WSU may take a range of actions, including rescission of admission or dismissal from the program, depending on the nature of the concern.

Licensure Requirements

For full licensure in school psychology, candidates must apply for a professional school license, register for a 4-credit-hour postspecialist internship, and complete the full-time, one-year internship in a public school. Students who wish to pursue school psychology licensure in a state other than Kansas are encouraged to visit NASP online and to contact the licensure board in the state in which they intend to practice to determine specific state requirements that may vary from Kansas requirements.

Applied Learning

Students in the school psychology (EdS) program are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate from this program. The requirement must be met by completing a field experience CLES 945 and practicum experience CLES 946.

Admission Requirements

When applying for admission to the School Psychology Educational Specialist program, you must submit to the Graduate School:

*Evidence of academic competence can be provided in one of the following ways:
  1. GPA of 3.00 or higher for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work, or
  2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores of 150 or higher for each GRE subsection (Verbal and Quantitative), and a GRE score of 4.0 or higher for the Analytical Writing subtest

Once the Graduate School forwards the application to the Department, it will request:

  • References: Reference letters from three individuals who know the applicant professionally or academically and have some basis for commenting on his or her probable success as a school psychologist.
  • Résumé
  • Goal Statement: A one-page statement of the applicant's professional goals.

Upon receipt of this information, the departmental screening committee will make recommendations concerning admission decisions for the school psychology educational specialist.

Application Process
You can view the progress of your admission status by navigating to Step 5 here. Click here for information on how you will be notified of your admission decision.

WSU School Psychology Bachelor's to EdS students applying for the 60-hour program and have a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA and a recommendation from their academic advisor may enter the School Psychology program without the other admissions requirements (additional letters of recommendation, test scores).

WSU School Psychology Master's students applying to the 39-hour program who have a 3.0 or higher graduate GPA and a recommendation from their academic advisor may enter the School Psychology program without the other admissions requirements (additional letters of recommendation, test scores).

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