Oct 15, 2024  
2020-21 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-21 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Curriculum and Instruction, School Psychology Concentration, Ed.S.


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James O. Rust, Coordinator
(615) 898-2319
James.Rust@mtsu.edu

The Department of Psychology  offers programs which lead to two graduate degrees: the Master of Arts with a major in Psychology and concentrations in Clinical, Experimental, Industrial/Organizational, Pre-Specialist in Education: School Psychology, and Quantitative Psychology and the Specialist in Education with a major in Curriculum and Instruction and concentration in School Psychology. The department also offers a minor at the graduate level.

The School Psychology program includes two degrees. Program completion and endorsement for a State Department of Education license require successful completion of both degrees. The M.A. portion of the program comes first. The Ed.S. is an advanced degree. It is only available to students who have master’s degrees in School Psychology. Transfer students from other master’s programs in Psychology or Counseling may apply, but they will be required to complete deficiencies.

The School Psychology program is field-based. As such, a student is required to be continuously enrolled in at least one field-based course every semester from the completion of  PSY 6140  until the completion of the program. PSY 6960 PSY 6980 PSY 7080 , and PSY 7810  are field-based courses. The policy excludes summer sessions.

Tennessee teacher licensing in school psychology is obtained through MTSU’s program. Licensing requires (1) completion of the Ed.S. with a concentration in School Psychology, (2) 1,200 hours of internship in school psychology, (3) acceptable scores on the school psychology Praxis II Test, and (4) verification of readiness for independent practice by an internship supervisor. The School Psychology PRAXIS II test assesses the following areas: a) diagnosis and fact finding; b) prevention and intervention; c) applied psychological foundations; and d) ethics and legal considerations.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements


Admission to the Specialist in Education degree with a concentration in School Psychology usually requires 

  1. an earned master’s degree in psychology, educational psychology, or school counseling from an accredited university or college. Normally, candidates should have completed all courses listed under the M.A. program for the Pre-Specialist in Education: School Psychology concentration;
  2. an acceptable undergraduate grade point average (at least 3.00) in all college work taken;
  3. a minimum score of 291 on the combined verbal and quantitative measures of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Application Deadlines: Applications for Summer/Fall admission must be complete by March 1, and applications for Spring admission must be complete by October 1. Late applicants who meet the admission criteria may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicant must

  1. submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
  2. submit official scores on the GRE-a minimum of 291 (current scale) or 900 (former scale) on the combined Verbal and Quantitative sections is expected;
  3. submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
  4. submit the supplemental School Psychology program application (found online at www.mtsu.edu/schoolpsychology);
  5. submit three (3) reference forms (found online). It is recommended that at least two references should be completed by faculty who can attest to the applicant’s academic abilities;
  6. submit a current curriculum vita that includes education and employment history, research involvement, volunteer activities, references, and awards/scholarships;
  7. submit a statement of purpose, including reasons for interest in the field of school psychology and the program at MTSU and a description of professional goals. (Typically two to three [2-3] pages in length.)

NOTE 1: Admission to graduate study is competitive and not automatic for students meeting minimal admission requirements. Students are selected from a pool of qualified applicants. Each year the number of students admitted to the program depends on the availability of adequate faculty supervision.

NOTE 2: To be considered for a graduate assistantship students must submit additional materials. Information about the application procedure is available at www.mtsu.edu/psychology/grad/assistantship.php.

Degree Requirements


The Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in School Psychology requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours.

Candidate must

  1. be able to meet the demands required for professional work in psychology. Therefore, students may be subject to dismissal from the Psychology Department if they (a) commit a serious breach of ethics or gross professional negligence or (b) present evidence of impaired psychological functioning that would present a danger to themselves or others in a professional role. Students who are dismissed may reapply and will be considered for readmission on a competitive basis. Students who reapply may be asked to provide evidence of improved ability to meet performance requirements. See each area coordinator and program handbook for readmission policy.
  2. complete a minimum of 30 graduate semester hours (see Curriculum section below for specifics) with a minimum of 15 hours at the 7000 level.
  3. satisfy a residency requirement consisting of
    1. the completion of 18 semester hours of graduate study within a 12-month period and
    2. full-time enrollment (at least 9 semester hours) for a least one semester.
  4. complete FOED 6610 /FOED 7610  (for those who did not have a thesis listed on their transcripts as part of their master’s degree).
  5. complete courses in the following areas (based on National Association of School Psychologists standards):
    1. data-based decision making and accountability;
    2. consultation and collaboration;
    3. interventions and instructional support to develop academic skills;
    4. interventions and mental health services to develop social and life skills;
    5. school-wide practices to promote learning;
    6. preventive and responsive services;
    7. family-school collaboration services;
    8. diversity in development and learning;
    9. research and program evaluation;
    10. legal, ethical, and professional practice.
  6. complete PSY 7810 , an internship of 1,200 hours as a capstone experience.
  7. pass a written comprehensive examination approved by the faculty (may be taken no more than twice).
  8. maintain professional liability insurance (coverage amount at the student’s discretion) throughout enrollment in the program, with a current insurance binder filed with the department at all times.

Curriculum: Curriculum and Instruction, School Psychology


The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.

Program Notes


If changes to the program are needed (such as course substitutions), students should file a Revision Form available on the Graduate Studies website at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/forms.php.

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