Education Specialist (Ed.S.) School Psychology + PA School Psychologist Certification

Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology
Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology

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Special Note: The GRE test has been waived for the December 1, 2023 application deadline (Fall 2024 start). 

  • Application requirements: Two letters of recommendation, transcripts, minimum GPA of 3.0, proof of English language proficiency, GRE scores (waived for Fall 2024 start), personal statement, and résumé.
  • International Students: Please visit this page for information regarding transcript evaluation requirements.
  • Deadline: December 1 for Fall semester start. The application and all supporting materials are due by the listed deadline.
  • Course Requirements: 22 courses (66 credits)
  • Typical Course Load: Fall (3 courses), Spring (3 courses), Summer (1-3 courses)
  • Time to Completion: 3 years
  • Practical Experience Component: During the first two years students accumulate 200 hours of practical experience and the final year is spent in an internship
  • Culminating Experience:  Comprehensive exam, which consists of an extensive portfolio review
  • Alumni Current Positions: School psychologists and others hold a variety of positions, including as administrators for Intermediate Units.  

Overview

The demand for school psychologists and school counselors is growing rapidly and is projected to rise by about 13 percent from 2016-2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Lehigh University’s Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in School Psychology program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists as a way to train individuals to become school-based practitioners. Innovative faculty share their own pioneering research and best practices in the field to train Ed.S. candidates in the most effective methods for working with children of all backgrounds and abilities. 

Application requirements include completing an online application and providing undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate transcripts. A grade point average of 3.0 is mandated for undergraduate work. Prospective students should provide two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a faculty member at an accredited institution. In addition, the applicant should submit GRE test scores (waived for 2023 Fall start) and TOEFL scores (if applicable), a curriculum vitae, and acknowledgement of the College of Education policy on clearances. 

The deadline to apply is December 1 for a Fall semester start. 

The Educational Specialist program requires students to take 66 credits. Typical Ed.S. candidates complete the program in three years, with two years of course work and one year of a full-time internship. 

A normal course load would be three courses for 10 credits in the fall, three courses for 10 credits in the spring and one to three courses in the summer for 3-10 credits.  

Gaining hands-on experience is an important part of the program so practicums are integrated throughout with course-based curriculum the first year and a formal practicum the second year. Across both years, students accumulate 200 hours of practical experience. The final year is an internship, and Ed.S. candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive exam, which consists of an extensive portfolio review. 

Students who complete the program are eligible to apply for state certification as school psychologists. 

Opportunities

Educational Specialists in School Psychology who have completed the Lehigh program are employed as school psychologists in school districts around Pennsylvania and the nation and others hold a variety of positions, including as administrators for Intermediate Units.  

Curriculum

COURSE NUMBER COURSE NAME CREDITS
AREA I: RESEARCH CORE (6 hours)    
EDUC 403 Research or SCHP 434 Applied Research Practicum 3
EDUC 408 Introduction to Statistics or EDUC 409 Analysis of Experimental Data 3
AREA II: PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION CORE (12 HOURS)    
EDUC 451  Applied Principles of Cognitive Psychology or PSYC 403 Cognitive Psychology 3
PSYC 402 Developmental Psychology 3
EDUC 491 Advanced Seminars: (with subtitle) or PSYC 404 Behavioral Neuroscience 1-6
CPSY 471 Diversity and Multicultural Perspectives 3
AREA III: COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY (3-9 hours)   
CPSY 439 Theory and Practice of Group Counseling  3
CPSY 440 Introduction to Family Counseling 3
CPSY 442 Counseling and Therapeutic Approaches 3
CPSY 445 School Counseling I 4
CPSY 462  Assessment of Personality  3
CPSY 480 Master's Internship I 3
  Others by advisor approval      
AREA IV: SPECIAL EDUCATION (3 - 9 HOURS)      
PSYC 338 Phenomenology and Theory of Childhood Disorders 4
SPED 332 Education and Inclusion of Individuals with Special Needs in K-12 3
SPED 418  Alternative Curricular Approaches 3
SPED 419 Academic Interventions: PreK-8 3
EDL 470 Special Topics in Educational Leadership 1-3
  Others by Advisor Approval   
AREA V: PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY CORE (36 HOURS)      
SCHP 407  Crisis Management in the Schools 3
SCHP 402  Applied Behavior Analysis 3
SCHP 404  Historical and Contemporary Issues in School Psychology 3
SCHP 412 Consultation Procedures 2
SCHP 422 Assessment of Intelligence 3
SCHP 423 Behavioral Assessment  3
SCHP 425 Assessment and Intervention in Educational Consultation 3
SCHP 426 Advanced School and Family Interventions 3
SCHP 431 Practicum in Consultation Procedures 1-3
SCHP 432  Practicum in Assessment of Intelligence 1-3
SCHP 433 Practicum in Behavioral Assessment 1-3
SCHP 435 Practicum in Assessment & Intervention in Educational Consultation  1-3
SCHP 443 Certification Internship 1-6

Course descriptions can be found in the course catalog.

Brochure: