Program Mission: The Master of Science in School Psychology is required as the first step toward completion of the Specialist’s in School Psychology which is the requirement for the preparation of competent professional school psychologists who serve children, teachers, and parents in an age of societal, educational, and professional change.   Candidates who successfully complete the MS in School Psychology at Eastern Illinois University have the option to continue on and complete the Specialist Program or may consider the alternative of pursuing a doctoral degree.

Accreditation:  The school psychology program is fully approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and fully recognized by the National Council Accreditation of Teacher Education. 

Students are guaranteed state certification upon successful completion of the specialist’s degree and the state licensure examination. In addition, the program has been approved by the National Association of School Psychologists, which guarantees candidates a national certification upon passing the examination for the Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP).

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”). 

Step 1: School Psychology Faculty will individually review school psychology applications based on the following admission criteria: a) undergraduate academic preparation (see six prerequisite courses), GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and application questions (e.g., additional languages, research interests).

Step 2: The school psychology committee will meet to collectively create a) a list of applicants to offer admission (including graduate assistantship), b) a list of applicants to offer admission, c) a list of applicants for a waitlist, and d) a list of applicants who are denied admission.

Step 3: The school psychology faculty will examine whether any of the students denied submission submitted GRE scores. If a student who was denied admission submitted GRE scores, those scores will be evaluated to determine whether the scores are inconsistent with other application materials to the extent where the committee would offer the applicant admission or a place that applicant on the waitlist.

Program Prerequisites: Applicants must present a transcript from an accredited institution showing completion of the following courses:  introductory psychology; statistical Methods; child psychology/Human Development; Abnormal Psychology, Learning or Behavior analysis/ Modification. 

Candidates with a Master’s Degrees other than in psychology will be considered for admission as long as they meet the admission requirement and program prerequisites described above.