Eastern University offers a Master of Science degree in School Psychology, training students to become competent, broadly educated school psychologists in pre-K to 12 school settings. This 60-credit degree program prepares graduates for certification as a school psychologist with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Together with a Christian perspective and Christian faculty, our program is distinctive in many important ways.

Graduate students learn to integrate scientifically-based knowledge with practical experience to serve students in diverse settings through assessing their needs and abilities. The broad training in the program creates school leaders who promote the mental health and facilitate learning in all students from pre-K to 12. Graduate Students can also choose their own practicum and internship sites that are available in schools in the surrounding communities.

Finally, our graduate program consists of evening and several on-line courses to accommodate working students. On-ground courses are offered on the St. Davids campus while some are offered at our Philadelphia site.

Certification Only opportunities are available to those holding a Masters degree in a related field. School Psychology - Certification Only Program

Degree Requirements: Students may choose to attend full-time, part-time or for certification only. Full-time attendance is at least nine credits (3 courses) per semester, and part-time is anything less than nine credits. Certification Only students are those that already hold a Master's Degree in a related field and wish to take courses to become state certified as a School Psychologist.

PA Certification Requirements: In addition to the Eastern University requirements for the M.A. in School Psychology, applicants must also meet the requirements of Pennsylvania Sate Law (Chapter 354) in order to be eligible for certification. Prior to certification, Chapter 354 regulations require that M.A. and Certification Only candidates:

• have either an overall GPA of 3.0 or a GPA of 3.0 in the last 48 credits of graduate level academic work
• completion of 6 college-level credits of both English and Math (must be completed in the first year of graduate study). You may take the CLEP exams to receive credit for the 2 Math and 2 English courses
• successful completion of PRAXIS I and II exams

Note: there are different requirements for applicants that hold or do not hold a valid Pennsylvania Department of Education School Certification (e.g. Teacher Certification). See Chapter 354 link for further details.

Full-time/Part-Time: Completion of the program requires 18 Core Courses, including a one semester (3 credits) practicum experience and a two semester (6 credits) internship experience. Successful completion of the program requires 60 credits.

Programs of Study:

School Psychology Program of Study

Required course descriptions available here

Admission Requirements: To be admitted to the school psychology graduate program, an applicant must submit the following materials (Download materials here):

• ALL official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. An official;transcript showing completion of a bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university. If the bachelor's degree was awarded outside of the United States, the program of study must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree program.
• A complete application and application fee. (available from graduate admissions).
  o GPA 3.0 preferred with particular importance placed on the last two years of the undergraduate record. An applicant with a lower GPA may submit GRE or MAT scores to strengthen the application. Or the applicant may submit passing scores on all three PRAXIS 1 exams to strengthen the application.
• For applicants who hold a Pennsylvania Department of Education School Certificate, a copy of the certificate is required.
• A current resume.
• Two (2) completed recommendation forms: one professional (ie: work place supervisor)/one educational (ie: College Professor) source. (recommendation form available here).
• Write a 750-1000 word essay/personal statement in which you respond to the following two questions (these questions are NEW, and do not affect prospective students who have already begun the essay using previous guidelines):
  A) Summarize how your personal characteristics, professional activities and/or; personal life experiences have led you to believe you are well suited for the profession of counseling/school counseling/school psychology.
  B) Identify your personal and professional goals and discuss why you have chosen to apply to Eastern University's Counseling Psychology programs to fulfill those goals. Please include a discussion of your academic record and how it accurately reflects/does not reflect your intellectual and professional abilities.
• A personal interview with the Graduate Student Advisor.
• An on-site writing sample to be completed after the personal interview.
• A completed program of study (upon completion of your file and interview).

• Please note, at least six credits must be taken per semester to qualify for financial aid.

Registration Requirements: the following must be completed prior to registration (you may be accepted into the program without completing these, but you will not be allowed to take classes until they are complete):

• Completion of two prerequisite undergraduate psychology courses (6 credits). You are free to take the CLEP exams to receive credit in the area of Introduction to Psychology.
• If currently an undergraduate student, you must submit a final transcript that indicates the successful completion of your degree.
• Submit a tuition deposit.

Fall 2009 Early Admission Dealine: March 15^th

Fall 2009 Final Application Deadline: July 15^th

Every fall, the Department awards a limited number of Graduate Assistantships. These are highly competitive grants that involve research. Prospective students who are applying for a Graduate Assistantship must have both their entire Application for Admission and Graduate Assistantship application submitted by March 14th. The applications for the Graduate Assistantships will be posted on our website in January.

For further information contact

Tracy Johnson

610-225-5525

gjohnso3@eastern.edu

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