Masters in School Psychology
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Psychologists done multiple hats, from providing valuable and in-depth research that helps people improve their everyday lives. From schools to colleges, clinics to hospitals, and many other places, Psychologists work hard for the overall betterment of people. Educational Psychologists play a major role in ensuring that students’ lives are better by creating better teaching methods, creating a healthy environment in classrooms, and dealing with behavioral issues. A Masters in School Psychology Online, also known as Master’s in Educational Psychology online, can help you advance a student’s Psychology career trajectory. According to statistics posted by the U.S Bureau of Labor, employment opportunities for psychologists is projected to grow by 3% over the next ten years. And those who have master’s or doctoral degrees have better career prospects than those who have bachelor’s degrees. In this guide, we will walk you through all aspects of a Masters in School Psychology program and provide you access to all resources needed to have a successful career as an educational psychologist.
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Southern New Hampshire University
PROGRAM: Online MS in Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on-campus students and over 60,000 online students, making us one of the fastest-growing universities in the country. Founded in 1932, we’ve been relentlessly reinventing higher education ever since and have gained national recognition for our dedication to helping students transform their lives and the lives of those around them.
We’re proud to provide affordable, accessible education that students can pursue on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, over our innovative online platform or at our regional centers in Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem, NH, and Brunswick, ME.
SNHU has earned the GetEducated.com Best Buy and Best of Business – Best Online Degree awards and is consistently ranked as a top Military Friendly® School by G.I Jobs®.
Best School Psychology Online Masters Programs
Psychology is a common career field, so it’s not uncommon to see the number of online Master’s degrees available in psychology. With so many school choices for students, how do students select the best school for pursuing a school psychology program? We have gone through dozens of Masters in School Psychology Online programs and created the best masters in school psychology online rankings. We have considered program quality, program reputation, tuition fees, teacher-student ratio, the program’s flexibility, and many other factors in our methodology in determining these rankings. Considering all those factors, here are the top masters in school psychology online programs:
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| College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 University of Georgia Administration Building, Athens, Georgia 30602 | $8,878 | 87% |
| #2 University of Wisconsin, Madison 500 Lincoln Dr, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 | $10,728 | 88% |
| #3 Florida State University 222 S. Copeland Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32306 | $9,684 | 83% |
| #4 Texas A&M University, College Station JKW Administration Building, Suite 200, College Station, Texas 77843 | $6,677 | 82% |
| #5 University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 601 E John Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820 | $14,997 | 85% |
| #6 Marist College 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601 | $15,300 | 84% |
| #7 The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 527 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 | $11,468 | 72% |
| #8 The University of Alabama 739 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487 | $10,780 | 71% |
| #9 Temple University 1801 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122 | $16,956 | 74% |
| #10 Ball State University 2000 University Ave, Muncie, Indiana 47306 | $8,850 | 67% |
| #11 Rutgers University 249 University Avenue, Blumenthal Hall, Newark, New Jersey 07102 | $17,736 | 69% |
| #12 University of North Texas 1501 W.Chestnut Ave., Denton, Texas 76203 | $5,900 | 56% |
| #13 Northern Arizona University 1900 S Knoles Dr, Babbitt Administrative Center, Room 200, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011 | $10,305 | 57% |
| #14 University of Memphis Southern Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38152 | $9,216 | 53% |
| #15 University of Northern Colorado Carter Hall – Rm 4000, Greeley, Colorado 80639 | $10,867 | 52% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Understanding Masters in School Psychology Programs
Students need to have a deep understanding of the school psychology programs before they sign up to pursue the degree. In this section, we will break down the Master’s in school psychology programs.
To become a licensed and practicing school psychologist, students must complete a master’s in school psychology and clear the Praxis school psychology test to receive the National Accredited School Psychologist (NASP) certification. The popular option to the NASP classification is to complete at least 60 graduate credits in school psychology, along with a 1,200-hour clinical internship.
Curriculum and Skills Gained in Masters in School Psychology Program
One of the primary things that Educational psychologists do is to study how students learn. These practitioners review and aim to optimize the teaching process by testing learning approaches to student results. They consider students’ unique needs, including gifted learners and those with developmental disabilities, and their needs and work towards bettering students’ lives. Educational psychologists combine clinical psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology to understand best practices in the field truly. A typical online master’s in school psychology program will require 30-36 credits for graduations. The programs can take up to two years for graduation. Many masters in school psychology online programs are built on the same academic curriculum as their campus-based counterparts and share most of the same faculty.
A master’s in school psychology-online exposes psychology students to the world of psychology, trains them for field coursework, and opens vocational doors to public entity employment opportunities such as caseworkers, advocates for mental health, and neighborhood educators. These two-year, modular programs specialize in developing communication skills for students, research, critical thinking, ethics, and concepts in personal, group, family, and organizational psychology. A typical curriculum includes courses like:
- Teamwork for Inclusive School Reforms
- Biological Behavioral Aspects
- Technology Integration for Teaching and Learning
- Cognitive and Affective Aspects of Behaviour
- Education Research
- Teacher Leadership
- Designing Learning Environments
Accreditation for Masters in School Psychology Online Programs
There are various educational psychology programs available online. Yet, students need to ensure that these programs are accredited with independent accreditation bodies. The accrediting bodies for school psychology programs are the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). All the schools covered in this guide are APA or NASP accredited school psychology programs.
NASP Approved Online School Psychology Programs
NASP is the central national professional body for school psychologists in the U.S. Its stated mission is to represent and encourage school psychology through leadership to strengthen children’s mental health and educational competence. These NASP approved online school psychology programs are high-quality graduate-level program options for psychology majors.
APA Accredited Online School Psychology Programs
APA accreditation ensures consistent quality maintenance in the psychology of health and educational psychology. These school psychology programs online accredited by APA offer future students with a plethora of benefits and opportunities. A program accredited by APA is a program that maintains high quality. Students can be confident about the value of the degree in terms of recognition by future employers and/or certifications and licensures.
Difference between School Psychology and Educational Psychology
Education Psychology and School Psychology are used interchangeably in most places and also in this guide. They both are very similar. Although there are various overlapping interests between Educational Psychology and School Psychology, there are some subtle differences.
| Educational Psychology | School Psychology |
|---|---|
| Educational Psychology is studying human learning (this involves development, performance, motivation, assessment, and instruction). The primary aim of a master’s in educational psychology online is to train students at higher learning institutions or academic consortiums for careers in teaching and research. | In contrast, a school psychologist is a practitioner-based role. It involves using an academic environment, such as classrooms, parents, and teachers, and is used by school psychologists to identify and meet students’ learning needs. By getting a master’s in school psychology online, you can create a healthy schooling environment for children and youth. Advocates of this psychology discipline integrate its values with behavioral psychology, developmental psychology, and clinical psychology. |
| The target populations of educational psychologists are people of all ages, and they work within and outside traditional school settings | The target populations of school psychologists tend to be to be children of school age within traditional school settings |
Masters in School Psychology Online Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for masters in school psychology online programs vary from university to university. However, most universities have common admission requirements, such as:
Bachelor’s Degree
Masters in school psychology programs often require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. A few courses may require prior experience in the field of educational or school psychology.
Transcripts
The submission of undergraduate transcripts would be required. Many programs maintain a general minimum GPA level, although colleges can exempt students from their clinical background.
Recommendation letters
Many graduate programs require students to receive letters of recommendation from familiar with their professional work.
Standardized tests
Some degree programs may require applicants to take standardized tests such as the GRE. Although the score standards differ, they reflect a general preparation for advanced or graduate-level course work.
Online Masters in School Psychology No GRE
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that between 2018 and 2028, school psychologists’ job opportunities will grow by 14.7%. An estimated 23,800 jobs are projected to open at that time. In most cases, students who want to enroll in an online master’s in school psychology programs are already professionals with a career. These professionals want to enhance their careers or grow in their current career. So, finding time to pursue a graduate program can get challenging. On top, if the school requires a standardized test score like GRE, it can also add up the overall timeline. Luckily, many schools are moving towards either waiving a GRE test score for professionals or do not have a GRE requirement at all. Here is a list of schools that offer Online Masters in School Psychology No GRE programs:
How to Pay for Masters in School Psychology Online Programs
Higher Education is valuable, but it is increasingly getting expensive. Getting an online master’s in school psychology will certainly provide upward mobility for the career; paying for it is also a big question. Here are some resources that students should consider for paying for the graduate degree:
Assistantships
Grants
Tuition reimbursements from employers
Fellowships
Traineeships
Scholarships
A student should also use FAFSA to secure financial support. Students should fill out a free application for Federal Student Aid to determine whether they are eligible for the federal government’s financial help. And many of the above sources of financial aid might require a FAFSA application. Read the best financial aid guide to learn more about paying for online Master’s programs.
Careers and Salary Outlook for Masters in School Psychology Graduates
One of the important aspects that students should consider before enrolling into an online master’s in school psychology programs is how the career and salary outlook look for graduates or school psychology master’s programs. In this section, we will walk you through precisely that. With a master’s in school psychology, graduates can become school psychologists, career counselors, mental health counselors, social workers, and much more. Graduates with school psychology degrees will be periodically called on perform personality and aptitude tests. As a professional, you will be required to explain your analysis of your client’s progress (typically, the clients are students). This table provides a list of career opportunities with a degree needed to be a school psychologist.
| Job Title | Median Salary | Job Description | Projected Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Psychologists | $78K | A school psychologist deals with students from kindergarten to high school. They are an important figure in identifying and correcting behavioral or learning problems in school as the school psychologist. In addition to obtaining anecdotal evidence from teachers and parents, they assess the source of the problem, offer effective treatments, and perform psychiatric assessments. | 15% |
| Educational Researchers | $64K | Academic researchers assist schools and school districts in assessing which curriculum aspects are significant and need to be updated. They do this through data collection — through interviews, observation, and surveys — and then data interpretation. When the data is processed, the educational researcher may collaborate with the client to incorporate the required efforts to better learning outcomes. | 6% |
| Social Workers | $50K | Social workers consult with clients who face tough times in their lives. They work in n conditions, such as when an infant is diagnosed with a terminal disease, crisis cases, and other altering situations. | 11% |
| School and Career Counsellors | $57K | School and career counselors help prepare students for their future. To generate plans to achieve academic achievement, the school counselor meets with pupils, evaluating their goals, skills, and performance. Career counselors perform similar tasks as well, and though the two overlap, school counselors guide students towards their career paths while career counselors help college students prepare for job opportunities. | 8% |
| Mental Health Counsellors | $46K | Mental health counselors examine several challenges, from mental health issues to problematic behavior. In this area, part of the work includes defining addictions and devising behavioral changes to modify these behaviors. They also partner with families to better support adjustments in the lives of the clients. | 22% |
Sources: BLS
Certifications and Licensure for Masters in School Psychology Students
All school psychologists must be licensed by the state in which they wish to practice. National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is the premier institution that also provides school psychologists certifications. To be a licensed specialist in school psychology online, the licensing standards are somewhat similar, if not equivalent, to the NASP certificate requirements. To receive state licensure, individuals will only have to show confirmation of their NASP credentials. On the Praxis II School psychology test, graduates without the NASP credential will have to offer their graduate degree, internship experience, and a passing grade. Other licenses and certifications available for educational psychology certificates online are:
- Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP): The Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) is the credential that allows the practice of school psychology in the State of Texas. The LSSP certification online must provide school psychological services in Texas public schools by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP).
- The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP): This represents the body that supports the profession of school psychology by promoting effective practices to improve the learning, actions, and mental health of students and by upholding important ethical and practical expectations.
Additional Resources for Masters in School Psychology Online Students
Throughout their workday, school and educational psychologists are charged with a variety of tasks. From helping students set up and incorporate IEPs, assisting students with mental illness to manage their school lives, and delivering resources to students trying to deal with a tragic life experience, their tasks are aplenty. To have a successful education and a career in School Psychology, students should network with other professionals via associations, communities, conferences, exhibitions, etc. Here are a few resources that will help students in the school psychology programs:
- American Psychological Association: For psychology majors, the leading site of the APA is a must-read guide, regardless of what specialization or degree level students are seeking to achieve. A vast archive of psychology papers, articles, interest pieces, and other publications valuable for students is stored on the APA website.
- National Association of School Psychologists: The NASP is a great resource that provides school psychologists a wide variety of services, including discussion boards, an educational learning hub, printable handouts, and many more. Most benefits are unrestricted, and a few are only open to those who are members of the organization.
- Intervention Hero: For school counselors, Intervention Hero provides a range of free, reproducible tools, including RtI schedules, transition resources, projects for counseling and mentoring, and many other valuable items. For those in the Ohio area, there are also details about local workshops and educational activities.
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