Ed.S. in School Psychology: What It Is and How It Can Advance Your Career
An Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in School Psychology degree program is a graduate-level program for students who wish to become school psychologists and support students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional development in K-12 schools by conducting assessments, developing interventions, and consulting with teachers, parents, and other school staff. This Ed.S. in School Psychology degree program is the typical entry-level degree program for school psychologists. School Psychology programs are usually part of a university’s larger Department of Education or School of Education. Several universities are currently offering School Psychology degree programs, including National Louis University’s National College of Education, which offers an Ed.S. in School Psychology in Illinois and Florida.
What Is an Ed. S. in School Psychology?
Programs for a School Psychology Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree typically include several years of coursework and supervised experience in schools, with a focus on assessment, intervention, and consultation. Most programs follow national training standards set by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and are designed to meet state requirements for certification and licensure as a school psychologist. The typical training model includes several years of study before an internship year spent completely in schools.
National Louis University in Illinois and Florida offers an Ed.S. in School Psychology degree program through the National College of Education. The School Psychology Program, NASP-aligned, is structured for part-time study. The School Psychology Program provides for a virtual classroom format, weekend residency sessions, and school-based practicum experiences. The culmination of these studies is a full-time internship within a school.
Why Pursue an Ed. S. in School Psychology?
School psychology attracts people drawn to the school-based, psychological-educational aspect of supporting students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional success. School psychology is generally a much shorter path to having an independent role practicing assessment and intervention in schools than becoming a licensed clinical psychologist. Furthermore, school psychologists have a role in school settings that is unique from that of other school-based or related mental health or school support staff, providing assessment, intervention, and consultation services.
School psychologists like to have variety in their work. They spend about half of their time conducting individual assessments and interventions. The other half is spent in consultation with teachers, in planning with school administrators, and in systems-level work such as developing school-wide behavioral or mental health support programs.
School psychology certification is typically issued much faster than a full clinical psychology doctorate, and the school psychologist can conduct meaningful assessments and interventions with students in schools. Therefore, for students interested in making a substantial, direct impact on student well-being while in school, an Ed.S. in School Psychology can be an efficient way to do so without having to spend 4 to 6 years in graduate school pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.
Key Questions About the Ed.S. in School Psychology
No. This degree leads to certification or licensure specifically as a school psychologist. It authorizes practice within K-12 school settings, for assessment, intervention, and for school consultation, but is a distinct credential from the
Most Education Specialists in School Psychology programs will grant candidates certification or licensure as school psychologists in K-12 schools. Their scope of practice typically encompasses assessment, intervention, and consultation services within schools. Several states grant school psychology certification through the Department of Education rather than a psychology licensing board, given that school psychology practice is generally restricted to K-12 school settings.
How long does the program take?
Most Ed.S. in School Psychology programs take 3 years to complete. They include 2 years of coursework and a practicum experience that students complete while receiving supervision. The last year of the program is a full-time school psychology internship in a school setting.
Why does NASP alignment or accreditation matter?
Additionally, because NASP is the primary national training standard for school psychologists, most School Psychology programs are NASP- aligned. Many states use the criteria outlined in the NASP standards to determine whether applicants are eligible for School Psychology certification within that state, as well as for reciprocity in other states. Therefore, it is important to investigate programs that are either NASP-aligned or have undergone accreditation and been deemed to meet the professional standards set by the National Association of School Psychologists.
Do I need a master's degree in psychology to apply?
Some programs will admit individuals with a Bachelor’s degree and award a Master’s degree as part of the program. Other programs will only accept individuals who have already completed a Master’s degree in a related field. It is best to check the prerequisites for the specific program one is applying to.
School Psychology vs Clinical or Counseling Psychology?
School psychology is a specialty practiced in K-12 school settings. It requires knowledge of schools and of how schools function as organizations. School psychologists use a variety of skills, including assessment, intervention, and consultation. Clinical psychology, which requires a doctorate, can be practiced in a variety of settings (hospitals, private practice, community mental health centers, etc.). It is a broad field of practice that deals with a wide range of mental health problems. The primary function of counseling at the master’s level is to provide individual and group counseling. School psychologists, clinical psychologists, and counselors all deal with assessment and testing, but school psychologists have the most authority to complete a wide range of assessments and testing.
What the Curriculum Typically Covers
While specific requirements vary by school and state, the typical curriculum for an Ed.S. in School Psychology program includes study in the following areas:
- Assessment (Cognitive, Academic, and Behavioral)
- Academic and behavioral intervention design
- Consultation with teachers, administrators, and families
- Child and adolescent development and psychopathology
- Legal, ethical, and professional issues specific to school-based practice.
- Crisis prevention and intervention
- Multiple supervised practicum placements, culminating in a full-time internship.
Career Outcomes
The majority of School Psychology graduates are employed in K-12 schools and serve in roles such as Psychoeducational Assessors, Counselors for individual and group counseling, Behavior Interveners, and Consultants to teachers and families. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists (including School Psychologists) are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade. School Psychology is often identified as a shortage area in many states, which can affect the number of jobs available in a given district and, in some cases, the signing bonuses or other incentives offered by a district. Wage and projection data for all Psychologists can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for Psychologists.
Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists.
School psychologists who have earned a master’s degree in school psychology can find jobs in early intervention programs, in private practices that specialize in educational and developmental assessment, and in school districts that have special education programs and/or are developing behavioral health programs. Some school psychologists choose to return to school to earn a doctorate in school psychology to work in academia, research, and independent clinical practice.
Ed.S. in School Psychology at National Louis University
National Louis University’s National College of Education (NCE) is offering an Ed.S. in School Psychology program in both Illinois and Florida. The Florida program is a part-time program that combines virtual classroom meetings (via the Internet), weekend residencies, on-site experiential learning, and a variety of practicum experiences, culminating in a full-time school psychology internship. Upon completion of the program, candidates are eligible for certification as a school psychologist by their state’s department of education. In addition, graduates of the program can apply for certification or licensure in other states through the relevant education authority.
