Spring 2020 Update 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Spring 2020 Update [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School Psychology, M.A.


NY State Program Code: 27525
HEGIS Code: 0826.02
CIP Code: 42.2805

(72 credits)

The master’s in school psychology is a 72-credit program that can be completed in three years of full-time study, or five years of part-time study, with some attendance during summer sessions. The majority of courses are in either assessment or school practice preparation. Classes are scheduled for late afternoon and evenings, which allows candidates to earn a master’s degree while employed.

The MA program in School Psychology has received full accreditation from the National Association of School Psychologists through September 2023.   Full information pertaining to the accreditation status of the school psychology program of Adelphi University is available at NASP’s website.

The program’s core courses are in psychology and education, with 15 credits in assessment and a 36-credit core of school practice preparation which includes the internship. In addition to the internship there are various field placements and practica within the 36-credit core of school practice preparation. Field placements provide an opportunity for students to practice beginning skills in conjunction with a didactic course. Practica provide students with a more intensive opportunity to use integrated skills, such as providing comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations and school consultation.

The school practice core culminates with a full-time internship in a public school, working under the supervision of a certified school psychologist.

Students are required to take the Praxis Exam (given by the Educational Testing Service), as their Comprehensive Exam. Information about the Praxis Exam may be obtained at ETS PRAXIS. Students are advised to retain their textbooks, such as Best Practices in School Psychology, and School Psychology: Past, Present and Future, among others, so as to have the materials necessary to prepare for the examination. Individuals with an M.A. in school psychology will meet the requirements for provisional certification as a school psychologist in New York State. Employment may be obtained in public schools; other employment opportunities may exist in state-run agencies, such as the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. The choice of employment is somewhat more limited than that for individuals with a doctoral-level degree. Students should note that the title psychologist is protected by law, and that this program does not provide one with the necessary credential to work in independent practice.

The School Psychology program offers a specialization track in autism for students interested in broadening their knowledge in this area. To obtain the specialization in autism, school psychology students would need to take the following four courses:
  
EEC 640   Diagnosis of and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders
EEC 650   Autism I: Students with Severe to Moderate Autism
EEC 660   Autism II:  Students with AS, HFA, and Related Disorders
SPY 626   Counseling Students on the Autism Spectrum

The Office for the Master’s Program in School Psychology is housed in Hy Weinberg, Room 326.

First Year


Second Year


Third Year


Note:


Students wishing to pursue a certificate in bilingual school psychology would need to complete three additional credits in the area of bilingual assessment (0504-625, Counseling and Assessment of the Multicultural Child) and register for two specific electives in bilingual education (0804-500, Foundations of Bilingual & Multicultural Education, and 0804-540, Assessment Considerations for ESL and Bilingual Populations) that are part of the educational electives in the core requirements.

Students wishing to pursue a specialization in autism need to complete six additional credits on educational interventions for children and adolescents on the spectrum.

Admission to Master’s Program in School Psychology


All admissions are for the fall. Applicants are required to have a GPA of at least 3.0. The GRE is not required but it is looked upon favorably.

Applicants are required to have 15 credits in psychology, which must include general psychology; developmental child or adolescence psychology; abnormal personality or social psychology; tests and measurements, and statistics (students may be admitted to the program conditionally, providing the missing undergraduate courses are completed with grades of “B” or better).

Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation from former teachers or employers; and an essay/professional statement that addresses the following: Why have you chosen to study at Adelphi University? Why do you want to become a school psychologist? What are your long-term professional goals?

Social Training Center


Adelphi University’s Social Training Center (STC) is a comprehensive support and guidance service initiative developed by the School Psychology program for students with High Functioning Autism (HFA) or Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) within the community and also for students with learning difficulties. The STC provides local high school and college-aged individuals, ages 15-22, who have been diagnosed with ASD or L.D., with ongoing weekly therapeutic services in both individual and group counseling sessions.