Elementary school psychologist with student

Ed.S. School Psychology

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.

Overview

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 a year-long, full-time internship.

A normal course load is 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 the course-based curriculum during the first year and a formal practicum during 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.

Application Requirements

Online application
Transcripts, minimum GPA of 3.0 (undergraduate)
Two letters of recommendations
Personal statement
Professional resume
Proof of English proficiency

See All Requirements

Quick Facts

Transcript Evaluations: Evaluations are required for applicants who have earned a degree outside the U.S.

Deadline: December 1 for fall start. The application and all supporting materials are due by the listed deadline.

Modality: On-Campus

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

Curriculum

All courses are 3 credits, unless otherwise noted. Course descriptions can be found in the course catalog.

course number	course name
EDUC 403	Research or SCHP 434 Applied Research Practicum
EDUC 408	Introduction to Statistics or EDUC 409 Analysis of Experimental Data

course number	course name
CPSY 471	Diversity and Multicultural Perspectives
EDUC 451	Applied Principles of Cognitive Psychology or PSYC 403 Cognitive Psychology
EDUC 491	Advanced Seminars: (with subtitle) or PSYC 404 Behavioral Neuroscience
PSYC 402	Developmental Psychology

course number	course name
CPSY 439	Theory and Practice of Group Counseling
CPSY 440	Introduction to Family Counseling
CPSY 442	Counseling and Therapeutic Approaches
CPSY 445	School Counseling I
CPSY 462	Assessment of Personality
CPSY 480	Master’s Internship I
Others by advisor approval

course number	course name
EDL 470	Special Topics in Educational Leadership
PSYC 338	Phenomenology and Theory of Childhood Disorders
SPED 332	Education and Inclusion of Individuals with Special Needs in K-12
SPED 418	Alternative Curricular Approaches
SPED 419	Academic Interventions: PreK-8
Others by advisor approval

course number	course name
SCHP 402	Applied Behavior Analysis
SCHP 404	Historical and Contemporary Issues in School Psychology
SCHP 407	Crisis Management in the Schools
SCHP 412	Consultation Procedures
SCHP 422	Assessment of Intelligence
SCHP 423	Behavioral Assessment
SCHP 425	Assessment and Intervention in Educational Consultation
SCHP 426	Advanced School and Family Interventions
SCHP 431	Practicum in Consultation Procedures
SCHP 432	Practicum in Assessment of Intelligence
SCHP 433	Practicum in Behavioral Assessment
SCHP 435	Practicum in Assessment & Intervention in Educational Consultation
SCHP 443	Certification Internship

Accreditation

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

Career Opportunities

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.

Educational Specialists in School Psychology who have completed this program are employed as school psychologists in school districts around Pennsylvania and the U.S. Others hold a variety of positions, including intermediate unit administrators.