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School Psychology (MS/CAGS)

YOU ARE BOUVÉ

Excel as a school psychologist

School psychologists are behavioral health specialists who conduct psychological, educational and behavioral assessments for the purpose of designing effective interventions, counseling children and parents, consulting with teachers and parents, implementing and evaluating school-wide prevention programs and performing in-service training.

Northeastern University offers a Master of Science (MS) in School Psychology and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in School Psychology. The entire three-year program (M.S. and CAGS) has full approval from the National Association of School Psychologists and the Massachusetts State Department of Education.

Distinctive features of our program include:

  • Urban and culturally diverse field placements and applied research projects
  • Early childhood emphasis
  • Highly collaborative and student-centered faculty
  • Strong and supportive student cohort groups

Our training approach incorporates the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Our students learn how to work on teams in delivering services, and how to draw upon the rich resources of professionals from related disciplines.

Our students have a strong professional identity and social conscience. The department has a very active student chapter of the school psychology division of the American Psychological Association (Student Affiliates in School Psychology-SASP).

This student chapter plans educational workshops, conferences, and social activities. Many of our alumni have assumed leadership roles in state and national organizations. In addition, they consider themselves advocates for the needs of children.

Quick View

Degree type:
MS in School Psychology

Study options:
– On ground (Boston Campus)

– Full-time only
Fall admission only

Application deadlines:
Jan 15 (Priority Deadline)
June 15

Duration: 3 years (typically)

GRE: Not required

F1 Eligible: Yes

School Psychology MS

Curriculum

A cornerstone of Northeastern University and our program is practice-oriented education. We train students to become highly skilled scientific practitioners and lifelong learners, who employ the scientific, problem-solving method to evaluate their own practice.

Real world projects and work experiences are integrated into coursework and fieldwork. Students complete practicum and internship fieldwork requirements in local area schools. The faculty have developed a rich network of collaborative school psychologists who serve as excellent field supervisors. Faculty assist with placing students at school fieldwork sites in and around the Boston Metropolitan area.

During the third year internship students document their mastery of the training goals through comprehensive case studies.

Practicum

Students complete 525 hours of field experience in school psychology during the first 2 years, including 75 hours of course-based practicum in the first year and 450 hours (roughly 2 days/week) of field-based practicum in the second year,

During the field-based practicum, students are expected to demonstrate their skills in the following core areas of school psychology:

  • Domain 1: Data-Based Decision Making 
  • Domain 2: Consultation and Collaboration 
  • Domain 3: Academic Interventions and Instructional Supports 
  • Domain 4: Mental and Behavioral Health Services and Interventions 
  • Domain 5: School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning 
  • Domain 6: Services to Promote Safe and Supportive Schools 
  • Domain 8: Equitable Practices for Diverse Student Populations 
  • Domain 9: Research and Evidence-Based Practice 
  • Domain 10: Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice 

Internship

In accordance with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE) requirements for certification/licensure in school psychology, students are required to attain a minimum of 1200 hours of field experience during their internship in school psychology.

Internship students are enrolled in a seminar course during the internship year. A university supervisor, who is a certified school psychologist, instructs this course. For internship within Massachusetts, the university supervisor maintains contact with the field supervisor through three site visits. At the end of the internship year, the field supervisor and university supervisor determine if the student has progressed adequately in the major competency areas.

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Sample Curriculum

Sample curriculum, subject to change.

The MS/CAGS program in school psychology requires a total of 62 semester hours, including a full-year internship. Students electing to pursue the Applied Behavior Analysis or Early Intervention concentrations require additional coursework, and will complete the program in 3 years.

For that information, students should consult with their academic advisor or see the university course catalog.

Admissions Requirements

Although most applicants to the program were psychology majors in college, some are not. Our program
does require the following four undergraduate psychology courses as prerequisites:

  1. Introduction to Psychology
  2. Research Methods and Statistics (in psychology or in another social science field)
  3. Developmental Psychology
  4. Abnormal Psychology

To apply, applicants must also have the following:

An undergraduate major in psychology or its equivalent (6-8 courses with emphasis on the science of human behavior)

A minimum grade point average of 3.0

Two letters of recommendation (academic and professional)

Personal statement of goals and expectations.

Personal interview with faculty

TOEFL or IELTS (International Students)

Official transcript from baccalaureate program and all college coursework

For more requirements please visit our graduate admissions page.

Got questions?

Please reach out to us.

Program Information

School Psychology Accreditation

The MS/CAGS program in School Psychology at Northeastern University is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists and the Massachusetts State Department of Education. Therefore, students who successfully complete all program requirements will be eligible to obtain an Initial School Psychology License from the Massachusetts State Department of Education.

Although Massachusetts has licensing reciprocity with several states, licensing requirements do differ from state-to-state. Students should therefore contact the state department of education in which they plan to apply for exact information. Additional information including links to state credentialing requirements is available on the NASP website.

For questions about the MS/CAGS program in School Psychology as it relates to school psychology licensure, please contact:

Jessica B. Edwards George, PhD
Director of Clinical Training


Program Annual Report and Student Outcomes Data

Pre-Practicum and Practicum

The Basics

Pre-Practicum

As its name denotes, the pre-practicum occurs prior to the practicum and is 75 hours in duration. The pre-practicum can be completed at the end of the first year of the program or at the beginning of the second year. The purpose of the pre-practicum is for students to gain observational experiences and to learn about the school ecology.

Practicum: Students complete 525 hours of field experience in school psychology during the first 2 years, including 75 hours of course-based practicum in the first year and 450 hours (roughly 2 days/week) of field-based practicum in the second year,

During the field-based practicum, students are expected to demonstrate their skills in the following core areas of school psychology:

  • Domain 1: Data-Based Decision Making 
  • Domain 2: Consultation and Collaboration 
  • Domain 3: Academic Interventions and Instructional Supports 
  • Domain 4: Mental and Behavioral Health Services and Interventions 
  • Domain 5: School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning 
  • Domain 6: Services to Promote Safe and Supportive Schools 
  • Domain 8: Equitable Practices for Diverse Student Populations 
  • Domain 9: Research and Evidence-Based Practice 
  • Domain 10: Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice

In regard to the assessment requirements, students should complete at least two comprehensive psycho-educational assessments, and their total number of assessments should be between a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10. The comprehensive assessments should include multiple reliable and valid methods that assess multiple domains of functioning, and the choice of instruments should be derived from the presenting concerns/referral questions. More detailed guidance can be found in the portfolio guidelines.

Course Work

Our practicum students have already taken the following courses:

  • CAEP 6201 Introduction to Assessment
  • CAEP 6206 Learning Principles
  • CAEP 6218 Infant, Child and Adolescent Development
  • CAEP 6365 Seminar in School Psychology
  • CAEP 6203 Understanding Culture and Diversity
  • CAEP 6247 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
  • CAEP 6350 Cognitive Assessment
  • CAEP 6360 Consultation
  • CAEP 6328 Single Case Research Design
  • CAEP 6400 Pre-practicum in School Psychology
  • HLTH 6510 Statistics in Health and Behavior Sciences
  • CAEP 6347 Behavior Management

During the practicum year students will take the following courses:

FALL SEMESTER

CAEP 6353 Curriculum-Based Assessment and Data-Based Decision Making 

CAEP 6354  Social, Emotional and Behavioral Assessment 

CAEP 8415  Practicum in School Psychology I 

CAEP 6401  Counseling Children and Adolescents in Schools  

SPRING SEMESTER

CAEP 6345 Promoting Youth Academic Success in Schools

CAEP 6402  Promoting Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Success in Schools

CAEP 8416 Practicum in School Psychology II

Elective

Field Supervision

Field supervisors, who provide practicum supervision and mentoring, must have a Massachusetts educator’s licensure (certification) as a school psychologist and a minimum of three years of experience as a school psychologist. Practicum supervision consists of a minimum of one hour per week, in a face-to-face format.

University Supervision

Practicum students are enrolled in a seminar course during the practicum year. A university supervisor, who is a certified school psychologist, instructs this course. The university supervisor maintains contact with the field supervisor through two site visits and phone calls when necessary. At the end of the practicum year, the field supervisor and university supervisor determine if the student has progressed adequately in core areas and is ready for internship.

Benefits for Supervisors

In recognition of the valuable guidance and supervision students receive from field-based supervisors, the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University offers a host of benefits to field-based supervisors. A list of these benefits can be provide upon request.

School Psychology Internship

The Basics

In accordance with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE) requirements for certification / licensure in school psychology, students are required to attain a minimum of 1200 hours of field experience during their internship in school psychology.

Out of State Internships

Students may elect to conduct their internship in another state.  They should check with the state’s Department of Education to determine state licensure/certification requirements.

Prerequisites

In order for students from the Northeastern University School Psychology Program to be eligible to begin their internship, they must complete the following milestones in the program:

  1. Successful completion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
  2. Successful completion of all coursework with the exception of internship
  3. Successful completion of the master’s level portfolio (master’s thesis equivalent)

Field Supervision

Internship supervision and mentoring should be provided by a credentialed school psychologist with a minimum of three years of experience.  Internship supervision consists of a minimum of two hour per week, in a face-to-face format.

University Supervision

Internship students are enrolled in a seminar course during the internship year.  A university supervisor, who is a certified school psychologist, instructs this course.  For internship within Massachusetts, the university supervisor maintains contact with the field supervisor through three site visits.  At the end of the internship year, the field supervisor and university supervisor determine if the student has progressed adequately in the major competency areas.

Practice Requirements

  • Consultations with four staff and two parents
  • Counsel 6 students (individually or in groups)
  • 1 Professional Development or Student-centered Prevention Program
  • Demonstrate multicultural competencies in all areas
  • Demonstrate knowledge of state and federal laws.
  • Familiar with and conform to the ethical standards established by NASP and APA
  • Demonstrate competency in communication and information technology

Comprehensive Case Studies

During the internship year, students are required to produce four case studies that illustrate their competencies across NASP domains. These case reports are: 

  • Academic Concern (Consultation) 
  • Social-Emotional/Behavioral Concern (Consultation or Direct Service) 
  • Prevention 
  • Comprehensive Psychoeducational Assessment

Successful Completion of Internship

  • Completion of 1200 hours of fieldwork
  • Passing score on school psychology praxis exam prior to April 1.
  • Completion of requirements in internship syllabus 
  • Grade of Satisfactory (S) across terms in the internship course
    • Ratings at the “expected level” or higher on all competency areas from internship supervisor 
  • Completion of all internship paperwork 

Benefits for Supervisors

In recognition of the valuable guidance and supervision students receive from field-based supervisors, the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University offers a host of benefits to field-based supervisors. A list of these benefits can be provide upon request.

Experiential Learning and Clinical Opportunities

A cornerstone of Northeastern University and our program is practice-oriented education. We train students to become highly skilled scientific practitioners and lifelong learners, who employ the scientific, problem-solving method to evaluate their own practice.

Real world projects and work experiences are integrated into coursework and fieldwork. Students complete practicum and internship fieldwork requirements in local area schools. The faculty have developed a rich network of collaborative school psychologists who serve as excellent field supervisors. Faculty assist with placing students at school fieldwork sites in and around the Boston Metropolitian area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the employment landscape like for your program graduates?

In general the job market is extremely positive for school psychologists. Our alumni receive job offers soon after graduation and oftentimes they have multiple job offers to choose from in the summer after graduation.

Opportunities to develop expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) or Early Intervention (see concentration information below), opportunities to engage in school psychology research and scholarship by co-presenting with faculty at conferences and co-authoring articles, and leadership opportunities available through Northeastern’s local Student Affiliates in School Psychology (SASP) chapter help our students’ resumes “stand out from the crowd” when they are applying for jobs. Our program has a 100% pass rate on the School Psychology Praxis Exam.


Do I have to complete all of the prerequisite undergraduate courses before applying to the program?

Applicants can be admitted to the program conditionally, pending completion of the prerequisite courses. We expect conditionally accepted applicants to pass all of the prerequisite courses prior to beginning the program. The program is flexible about how incoming students meet the prerequisite requirement. Courses can be taken through an online course offered at an accredited university or at a community college if that is more convenient and affordable.


How much is tuition and is financial aid available?

Typically there are a small number of Dean’s Scholarships for MS/CAGS students, which are awarded based on
merit. No additional application is needed to be considered for these awards.