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 school psychology Educational Specialist in Education (EdS) consists of 60 graduate credit hours if entering after obtaining an undergraduate degree or 39 graduate credit hours if entering with an earned master’s in a related area.

Benefits

• Excellent job prospects upon graduation. For the past several years, all graduates of WSU’s school psychology program have become employed upon graduation.
• Entry into a 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-credit-hour program after obtaining an undergraduate degree and can move through the program in two years going full time. Or students may choose to attend part time. 
  • Students with an earned master’s in a related field can enter the 39-credit-hour program and go full time or part time.

Admission

Applications for admission to the postmaster's EdS in school psychology are due May15 for summer, August 15 for fall admission and December 15 for spring admission. Late applications will be reviewed if space permits.

In addition to standard Graduate School requirements, applicants must have a 3.000 GPA and submit the following:

1. Evidence of academic competence.
   The GRE is not required depending on the applicant's evidence of academic competence. Evidence of academic competence can be provided in one of the following ways:
   1. GPA of 3.000 or higher in all 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; or
   3. A score on the Miller Analogies Test equal to the national mean at the time of taking the test (400).
2. References — contact information for two (2) persons from whom we may request recommendations. The individuals must know the applicant professionally or academically and have some basis for commenting on his or her probable success as a school psychologist.
3. Resume.
4. Goal Statement — a one-page statement of the applicant's professional goals.

Program Requirements

The Specialist in Education (EdS) in school psychology requires a minimum of 39 credit hours of coursework beyond the master's degree. The degree is awarded upon completion of coursework and practicums. More credits may be required if students are not able to demonstrate prerequisite knowledge requirements. Graduate transcripts will be evaluated by program faculty to determine whether prerequisite knowledge requirements have been met (see list below). 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 914, CLES 861, CESP 803, CLES 715 and CESP 853 in addition to an overall 3.000 GPA. 

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.

For information regarding this requirement, visit: Advanced Programs¹.

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.

The program can be completed in a full-time or part-time format. (See full-time course sequence below.)

Required Prerequisite Knowledge

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

39-Hour School Psychology Educational Specialist Program - Postmaster's

Licensure

CESP 977 Internship in School Psychology is a 4-credit-hour requirement for full licensure taken postdegree.

Sample Full-Time Course Sequence for Postmaster's EdS in School Psychology

Note: Students who wish to earn their full licensure should enroll in 4 credit hours of CESP 977 Internship in School Psychology postdegree.

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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 can be met by completing a field experience and practicum ( ISLE 945 and ISLE 946).