Department of Psychology
Laurentide Hall 1223
262-472-1026
psychology@uww.edu
Overview
The Master of Science in Education (MSE) Degree is part of a three-year program which fulfills the academic requirements for licensure as a School Psychologist. This area of study concerns itself with the application of psychological theories and skills to prevention and intervention procedures with children and youth as they interact within the school environment. It provides comprehensive knowledge in psychological and educational foundations and extensive training in assessment, therapy, and consultation practices. This program leads to Department of Public Instruction licensure as a School Psychologist.
The curriculum is designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills in content areas necessary to meet the training requirements for School Psychology as defined by the National Association of School Psychologists, the American Psychological Association, and the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction certification standards for School Psychologists. Students will learn, among other skills, to: complete non-biased data-based assessment of school-aged children and integrate such assessment into treatment procedures; function as consultants to teachers, parents and other personnel in school settings - working as child advocates in school, home and commcredity; and conduct applied research that will benefit the children and families that they serve, and appreciate how such efforts fit into a context of continuing professional development.
The Education Specialist Degree is composed of approved credits beyond the Masters degree consisting of 700-level course work in school psychology and education, supervised field experiences, a pre-internship capstone examination, and a scholarly project in School Psychology. Completion of the degree creates eligibility for the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential. The degree is designed for advanced graduate students who already possess the masters degree from an accredited program in school psychology and who desire a proficiency that will enable them to assume a role of leadership based on a considerable depth of understanding and applied competency in their work. In the first year of the two-year program, students spend a minimum of 600 hours at a local public school district in a practicum school psychology placement, while completing complementary course work in advanced intervention and prevention competencies and further educational and psychological foundations. Students must pass the ETS Praxis II examination in School Psychology during the first year. In the second year, students must complete a minimum 1200-hour supervised internship in School Psychology. Students must initiate a written Specialist Project in the first year and bring it to completion prior to their final semester of internship.
Program Coordinator
Christine Neddenriep
Laurentide Hall 1229
262-472-1850
neddenrc@uww.edu
Admission Requirements
- An overall undergraduate grade point average of at least a 3.00. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may appeal for an exception on the basis of other factors (e.g., strong subsequent academic study, outstanding relevant work experience, and/or exceptional personal qualifications).
- An appropriate academic background in psychology with a minimum of 12 credits including a course in each of the following: child/adolescent psychology or development, abnormal psychology/behavior disorders, and basic statistical methods. The School Psychology Committee may require that specific undergraduate courses be completed with a grade of B or better before the application for admission will be processed.
- Students with only a single deficiency may be admitted and allowed to satisfy that deficiency at the graduate level. Such graduate level prerequisite credits will not count toward the master’s degree, but will count as electives in the student’s total credit course work requirement.
- The program application form, available on the program website https://www.uww.edu/cls/academic-programs/school-psychology.
- A representative sample of the applicant’s written expression skills in the form of a typed narrative Autobiographical Statement, which includes a discussion of relevant personal background and describes in-depth why the applicant has chosen to pursue study in the field of school psychology.
- Three letters of recommendation from appropriate persons (such as former professors or work supervisors) who are familiar with the applicant’s academic and personal qualifications for graduate study in school psychology.
- Upon review, the School Psychology Committee may request a personal interview to provide additional information. Admission may be granted with or without an interview at the Committee’s discretion.
Admission Timeline
The School Psychology Program admits students only in the spring of the year for classes beginning the following summer term. A completed application, consisting of the application form, autobiographical statement, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts must be on file with the Program Coordinator by January 15.
Following the January 15 deadline, the School Psychology Admissions Committee will review packets and inform all applicants as to their admission status by email.