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school psychology program

Click here to see a detailed document about the School Psychology Program and application information.

School psychologists are employed primarily in educational settings. They use their psychological knowledge, insight, and skills to promote human welfare and educational success, and to improve the institutions and programs in which they are involved.

School psychologists:

  • consult with teachers, parents, and school personnel about learning, social and behavior problems; help others to better understand child development and its relationship to learning and behavior;

  • assess children's learning aptitudes, academic skills, social skills, personality and emotional development, and eligibility for special education programs and services;

  • intervene to help solve conflicts and problems related to learning and adjustment by working directly with students and families, providing counseling, social skills training, crisis intervention, behavior management, and other interventions;

  • conduct research to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management procedures, and other services provided in the schools, and to generate new knowledge to improve learning and mental health adjustment.


PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Thank you for your interest in the School Psychology program. The following information will outline the procedures for applying to the program, and answer some common questions asked by applicants. In addition to this material, applicants should obtain the most recent Graduate Catalog from the graduate school office (203-392-5240), and read and comply with all applicable university application and admission information. 

Applicants must have a minimum of 15 credits in psychology. Those who do not meet the psychology prerequisites will need to take those courses before being accepted into the program; no prerequisite courses needed to qualify for admission will be included in the graduate planned program. All state and university teacher education admission and certification requirements described in the university catalog also pertain to the school psychology program.

The school psychology program consists of a 37-credit master of science degree, followed by a 32-credit sixth year professional diploma. Students with a bachelor degree are admitted to the Master level program and must reapply for the Sixth Year program upon successful completion of their Master of Science.  Applicants currently holding a Master of Science Degree who are applying for the Sixth Year Professional Diploma in school psychology are required, in addition to the general admission criteria, to have demonstrated superior achievement in a Master of Science degree program in school psychology or highly related area.

 

Master of science degree in school psychology

The The Master of Science Degree program consists of a focus on educational and psychological foundations; theories and applications of counseling, statistics, and research methods; individual appraisal; introduction to the role and function of the school psychologist; and ethics and professional standards. A comprehensive examination is required upon completion of the Master of Science program of courses. Students may attend either full- or part-time. Full-time study consists of either three or four courses per semester. Students attending part-time must commit to no fewer than two courses per semester.

Sixth Year Professional Diploma In school Psychology

The Sixth Year Professional Diploma program provides advanced professional study and training in the areas of counseling (individual and group), assessment (intellectual, achievement, and personality), consultation, and intervention. Within this program are two field experiences: a practicum and an internship. The practicum consists of approximately 400 hours (four days/week) in a school setting. The internship is an intense and diversified, 10 month experience consisting of no fewer than 1,200 hours; it may be completed full-time in one year, or part-time over up to two years. Both experiences are completed under the supervision of a certified school psychologist. This level of the program requires full-time study.

You can view the sequence of courses for full- and part-time study.

 

CERTIFICATION

The combined master's and sixth year programs are designed to meet the requirements for certification as a school psychologist in Connecticut and most other states. The majority of our graduates also elect to qualify as nationally certified school psychologists.