School Psychology (MA)
Overview
The purpose of the 69-hour Master of Arts in School Psychology degree program is to prepare school psychologists to work with children, adolescents, and families from diverse socio-cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The degree program includes a year-long supervised internship. The UTRGV School Psychology program is in accordance with the scientist-practitioner model of training, which emphasizes school psychologists to use empirical research in practice. The program training includes preparation in mental health and educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum and instruction, assessment, consultation, collaboration, school law, and school systems.
School Psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students. In the state of Texas, the license that is required by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP) to provide school psychological services in Texas public schools is the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP).
The degree of Master of Arts in school psychology provides a 69-hour non-thesis program. The choice of courses in the major and minor fields, as well as the nature of the supporting work, will be determined through consultation between the student and his or her graduate advisor.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in school psychology, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field preferred.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with minimum scores of 150 Verbal, 141 Quantitative, and 4.0 Analytical are required.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals in a position to judge the professional and academic potential of the applicant. At least one should be from a university professor in the applicant’s major area of study.
- Letter of intent indicating reasons for pursuing the degree.
- Cleared Criminal Background Check.
- Personal interview (Upon completing application).
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Program admission is not based on any single criterion; multiple criteria are considered.
Progression Requirements
Three "C" Rule
A student may earn two grades of C. However, upon earning a third C, he/she will be dismissed from the MA in School Psychology Program. The student may appeal the suspension to the School Psychology Program Coordinator.
"F" Rule
A student who receives a grade of F will be automatically dismissed from the MA in School Psychology Program. The student may appeal the dismissal from the MA in School Psychology Program to the School Psychology Program Coordinator.
Academic Standing
- A student must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
- Students must comply with the program Fitness to Practice policy in order to continue in the program and be recommended as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP). This Fitness to Practice Policy applies to all students upon enrollment in the School Psychology Program, and remains in effect until completion of the program. Satisfying the curricular requirements is not sufficient for completion of the School Psychology Program. In addition to satisfactory completion of the academic requirements and standards of the UTRGV Graduate School (delineated in the Graduate Catalog), all candidates are expected to demonstrate skills sufficient to provide psychological and educational services to children, families, and schools. Progress in the Program is a result of successful completion of university coursework and the demonstration of important characteristics and dispositions identified below as Fitness to Practice Standards. These Standards are guided by the School Psychology Program Principles, which are based on the profession’s values and reflect goals for those graduating from the Program. The Fitness to Practice Standards are especially critical given the nature of the services provided by school psychologists, and program faculty reserve the right to recommend or not recommend students’ continuation in the Program on the basis of whether students demonstrate Fitness to Practice as outlined in the full text of the Fitness to Practice policy located on the program website.
Program Requirements
Required Courses - 69 Hours
| COUN 6327 | Counseling Theories, Methods & Techniques I | 3 |
| COUN 6328 | Counseling Theories, Methods & Techniques II | 3 |
| EDUL 6305 | Socio-Cultural Contexts of Education | 3 |
| EPSY 6301 | Child and Adolescent Psychopathology | 3 |
| EPSY 6310 | Legal, Ethical, & Professional Issues in School Psychology | 3 |
| EPSY 6314 | Academic Assessment & Intervention | 3 |
| EPSY 6315 | Behavior Assessment & Intervention | 3 |
| EPSY 6320 | Consultation and Collaboration in Inclusive Settings | 3 |
| EPSY 6340 | Mental Health Services in the Schools | 3 |
| EPSY 6350 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| EPSY 6358 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| EPSY 6370 | Psychological Measurement | 3 |
| EPSY 6380 | Introduction to Cognitive and Academic Assessment | 3 |
| EPSY 6381 | Advanced Cognitive and Academic Assessment | 3 |
| EPSY 6382 | Bilingual and Multicultural Psychoeducational Assessment | 3 |
| EPSY 6383 | Personality and Behavior Assessment of Children & Adolescents | 3 |
| EPSY 7340 | Practicum in School Psychology | 3 |
| EPSY 7350 | Internship in School Psychology I | 3 |
| EPSY 7351 | Internship in School Psychology II | 3 |
| PSYC 6320 | Neuropsychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6325 | Conditioning and Learning | 3 |
| PSYC 6330 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| EDUL 6330 | Instructional Leadership for Diverse Learners | 3 |
Free Electives (not required for completion of degree)
Capstone Requirements
- Praxis Exam – School Psychology
Total Credit Hours: 69