School Psychology (Ed.S.)
Program Overview
The Ed.S. Program in School Psychology program, offered through Seton Hall University’s College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, trains students to become “full service” school psychologists. Coursework in intelligence and personality testing, learning disabilities, child and adolescent psychopathology, counseling and consultation, educational leadership, and curriculum development comprise the matrix of the program. There are fieldwork requirements in most of the Ed.S. courses. The program also includes an intensive 300-hour practicum as well as 1,200-hour internship, allowing students to train under the supervision of a licensed school psychologist, which helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The use of Blackboard on-line technology is used in most courses. The use of email, PowerPoint, and basic computer technology is a requirement of the program.
A Unique Approach
The Ed.S. program in School Psychology trains “full service” school psychologists to address the psycho- educational and socio-emotional needs of school-age children and adolescents. Inherent in this training is the belief that children must be viewed in the contexts in which they live. The social, economic and cultural contexts shape their feelings, thoughts and actions. The school can usefully be regarded as the second nurturing agent beyond the family and, thus, is intimately involved in the growth and development of society’s youngest members.
Ed.S. students are encouraged to be leaders in SPLASH, the school psychology student organization (see A Unique Approach under the Masters program). This fosters the sense of being part of a “community of learners,” developing leadership abilities, and continuing to participate in service activities. Ed.S. students share their experiences and become role models for the students in the Masters program.
Who Should Apply?
The faculty of the School Psychology Program are seeking applicants who are dedicated to becoming school psychologists and display the ethical/professional behaviors and dispositions required to enter this service profession. This includes being passionate about working with diverse children, families, and staff in schools and within their respective communities. Successful applicants are able to demonstrate their:
- dependability;
- respect and empathy for others in thought and action;
- open-mindedness;
- ability to identify, admit, and learn from their mistakes;
- problem solving skills;
- professional and ethical integrity;
- ability to successfully cope with stress; and
- self-care skills.
The Application Process
Once students successfully complete their master’s degree in School Psychology including passing the Comprehensive Examination, they can apply to the Ed.S. Program in School Psychology. Completion of the master’s program does not guarantee admission to the Ed.S. program. It is a separate application process. This 29-credit program, including practicum and internship, leads to the specialist degree and licensure in School Psychology. The entire MA and Ed.S. programs are required for certification for a total of 65 graduate credits.
Students admitted to the Ed.S. program are required to take the Praxis II (School Psychology-10400) as part of their Ed.S. graduation requirements. Please visit the following website: shu.edu/fieldwork-and-certification/praxis-ii
An application to the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media can be found online. In addition to University admission regulations, candidates who apply to the Ed.S. program in School Psychology are required to submit the following:
- A completed SHU graduate application and fee;
- Student résumé;
- Official copy of graduate transcripts documenting at least a 3.25 GPA;
- Two letters of recommendation preferably from Seton Hall University full time faculty; and
- An updated statement of career goals.
Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed by program faculty. A personal interview by the program director and/or admissions committee will be arranged. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up with the Graduate Admissions office to verify that all application materials have been received. Please be sure that your application is completed in a professional manner.
The Program
The Ed.S. program in School Psychology is a 29-credit program leading to the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree from Seton /Hall University and licensure as a school psychologist from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJ DOE). Please note that licensure as a school psychologist does not enable graduates to practice privately.
The Ed.S. program builds on the foundations of the Masters course by training students to apply their knowledge and skills and enhance their dispositions. This program takes two years to complete (which includes the practicum and internship). Students in the program take part in a rigorous course of study which requires fieldwork for most of the courses and are therefore expected to make a full-time commitment to the program. They also participate in a 300- hour practicum over the course of one semester (generally 3 to 4 days a week) and a 1,200-hour internship over the course of two semesters (five days a week) under the supervision of a licensed school psychologist. This allows students to train under supervision, which helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice. These supervised hours are required for licensure as a school psychologist in the state of New Jersey.
Following the successful completion of the coursework, practicum and internship, taking the Praxis II Exam in School Psychology, and demonstration of the ethical/professional behaviors required for functioning as a school psychologist, students are granted the Ed.S. degree from Seton Hall University and are eligible for NJDOE license as a school psychologist. The program is acknowledged by the NJDOE as a recognized program in school psychology. State certification is mandatory to practice as a school psychologist in the schools.
More specifically, students in the program will:
- Use data-based decision making to identify strengths and needs, understand programs and measure progress;
- Develop positive interpersonal communication, collaboration and consultative skills;
- Develop and monitor challenging, yet achievable, cognitive, academic, social, behavioral and adaptive goals for school-age children;
- Appreciate and work with individuals and groups with diverse skills and backgrounds;
- Understand the school as a system and work with others to create safe, caring, effective schools;
- Develop and implement prevention and intervention programs;
- Understand family strengths and influences of the student and form partnerships with parents, educators and the community;
- Use research, statistics and evaluation methods; translate research into practice; and evaluate programs to improve services;
- Practice in a manner that meets ethical, professional and legal standards to enhance the quality of services and protect the rights of individuals; and
- Access, evaluate and use information sources and technology to safeguard and enhance the quality of services provided.
Career Advancement
Graduates of the Ed.S. program in School Psychology are working in key leadership positions as school psychologists in various educational settings. They work in preschool through twelfth grade public school districts and private schools throughout the tri-state area and the country. They work with parents, school staff and the community to enhance the academic, social, emotional growth of students. Ed.S. graduates function as “full service” school psychologists, who provide consultation, interventions, participate in fellow intervention and referral services, provide both individual and group counseling, conduct psychological assessments, develop Individual Education Programs for classified students, etc.
Some of our Ed.S. graduates go on for advanced degrees (Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D.) in school psychology, counseling psychology, school administration/supervision, and other related fields. Students from our program have been accepted to doctoral programs throughout the tri-state area.
Course of Study-Specialist Level
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CPSY 6501 | Professional Consult-Sch Prac * | 3 |
| CPSY 7502 & CPSY 8502 | Individual Cognitive Assess and Indiv Cognitive Assess-Lab * | 4 |
| CPSY 7503 & CPSY 8503 | Personality Assessment and Personality Assessment * | 4 |
| CPSY 7506 | Individual Educ. Assessment * | 3 |
| CPSY 8519 | Atyp Behavior Chld:Assess Intv | 3 |
| CPSY 9985 | Intern-Child-Adol Therapy * | 3 |
| CPSY 8511 | Sem-Pract of School Psyc ** | 3 |
| CPSY 8580 | Internship School Psyc I *** | 3 |
| CPSY 8581 | Internship School Psyc II *** | 3 |
| Total Hours | 29 | |
- *
Fieldwork required.
- **
300-hour field placement.
- ***
600-hour field placement.
Students admitted to the Ed.S. Program are required to take the Praxis II Exam (School Psychology-10400) as part of their Ed.S. graduation requirements.
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