Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School Psychology, EdS


The Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology is a 60-unit program. Graduates of the program are typically employed in PreK-12 education to provide direct and indirect psychological, behavioral and academic support to students. Candidates concurrently meet requirements for the Pupil Personnel Services - School Psychology (PPS/SP) credential required of persons employed as school psychologists in public schools. The program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and accredited by the state Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Visit the program website for details.

Prerequisites to the Program


The following are required for admission to the program:

  1. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
  2. Minimum 3.00 overall grade point average in last degree (not credential or certificate) earned from an accredited institution of higher education. Applicants whose overall GPA is less than 3.00 but meet the University minimum GPA requirement and who present compelling evidence of academic and professional potential, either through recent academic performance and/or experiential background, may be considered for admission at the discretion of the program admission committee.
  3. Minimum combined score (Verbal and Quantitative) of 300 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or a master’s degree in a related field.
  4. Completion of the following or an equivalent (may be taken after admission to the program, but must be taken prior to advancement to candidacy): EDP 405  and EDP 301  or EDP 302 .
  5. International applicants have additional university application requirements including meeting the English language proficiency requirement. Please visit The Center for International Education (CIE) website at www. csulb.edu/cie for more information.
  6. Proof of Basic Skills Proficiency per California Education Code and Title V Regulations.

Application to the Program


Applicants use Cal State Apply to file all application materials before the deadline. Deadlines and details about the Program Materials (e.g. statement of purpose prompt, recommendation prompts) may be found in the Application Process section of the College of Education Graduate Studies Office website. Please contact the College of Education Graduate Studies Office if you have questions. 

Submit one set of official transcripts from each college or university that you have attended. This includes all community college(s) attended, bachelor’s degree(s) coursework, and all post-baccalaureate or extension coursework. This set of transcripts will be used to determine grade point average eligibility. Failure to submit transcripts in a timely manner will result in a delayed review of the application.

After an initial review, select applicants are invited for an interview with program faculty.

Classified Admission to the Program


Successful applicants are admitted to the program with Classified admission status.

Advancement to Candidacy (Clear Admission to the Program)


Candidates should advance to candidacy as early as possible. For advancement to candidacy (Clear Admission status), candidates must:

  1. Fulfill the campus Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
  2. Complete EDP 301  or EDP 302 , EDP 405 , EDP 419 , EDP 520 , EDP 528 , and EDP 603 .
  3. Resolve all incomplete grades.
  4. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average in the prerequisites and in all core courses.

Please contact the College of Education Graduate Studies Office if you have questions. 

Program Requirements


Completion of a minimum of 42 units of the 51 unit core program in residency at CSULB.


Completion of one of the three 9 unit Emphases:


Educational Psychology Emphasis - 9 units from the following:


Electives not listed below can be used to meet this requirment if approved by the student’s academic advisor.

Thesis Emphasis


Related Field Emphasis


9 units from master’s degree in a related field.

Additional Program Requirements


  • Successful completion of a culminating experience (i.e., comprehensive exam or thesis), and internship portfolio.
  • All University regulations governing the master’s degree apply to the Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology.
  • Candidates are annually evaluated for specific professional competencies. If a candidate is found insufficient on one or more of the competencies, the candidate may be required to complete additional course work, practica, fieldwork, and/or other activities before being approved for the PPS intern or full credential and Ed.S. Degree.
  • Certificate of Clearance prior to enrolling in practica (EDP 641A  & EDP 641B ).
  • Completion of the National School Psychology Examination (ETS/PRAXIS II #10400) prior to completion of the program.