A school psychologist makes a difference in children’s lives by supporting students’ academic success and mental health. Working closely with teachers, administrators, and families, you will assess students’ needs and provide evidence-based interventions to help children thrive.
This interdisciplinary graduate degree blends education and psychology so you will have the tools to help students who are struggling academically, socially, behaviorally or emotionally.
This program, which launched in Fall 2018, has Wisconsin DPI approval. In addition, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has approved our candidacy, pending an accreditation site visit in 2022. The three-year program includes two degrees in one: You will first complete a 30-credit Master of Science in Educational Psychology, which counts toward the more advanced 60-credit Educational Specialist degree. Once you complete the Educational Specialist degree, you will be eligible to become a licensed school psychologist in Wisconsin. We typically offer courses on Friday evenings and Saturdays (every other weekend), synchronous remote learning options, as well as some online course options.
Alverno's school psychology faculty members bring a wealth of real world experience working as administrators, school psychologists and clinical psychologists. You will gain experience applying your skills and knowledge in field work experiences supervised by practicing school psychologists. During the second year of the program, you can expect to spend an average of two days a week at a school gaining practicum experience, and you’ll spend your third year working full time as a paid school psychology intern.
Get involved
Get connected with fellow students by joining the Alverno chapter of the School Psychology Student Association. You can also get involved in the National Association of School Psychologists and Wisconsin School Psychologists Association.
Alverno offers a wide network of placements for students who are interested in becoming school psychologists. We’re connected to more than 150 private and public schools throughout the metro Milwaukee area and beyond, and our students do their practica and internships at a variety of urban and suburban schools.
This degree allows you to make a difference, while earning a competitive salary and benefits. School psychologists are in such demand that many Wisconsin school districts can’t fill all their openings. Plus, U.S. News & World Report has often ranked this profession among the best social service jobs, with a national median salary over $70,000. Most school psychologists work in public K-12 school districts, though some work in private schools, charter schools, juvenile justice programs, universities and private practice. Some school psychologists eventually take on related administrative roles.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychology (MSED) Requirements | ||
| SPY-600 | Prof Issues & Ethics /School Psychology | 3 |
| MCP-620 | Helping Rel: Prevention, Intervnt & Syst | 3 |
| MCP-651 | Research, Evaluation & Statistics Method | 3 |
| SPY-630 | Culturally Respon Intellectual Assessmnt | 3 |
| SPY-648 | Academic Assessmnt & Progress Monitoring | 3 |
| SPY-690 | Consult & Collabor W/Teachers & Families | 3 |
| SPE-615 | Charac, Assmnt-Lrnrs With Disabilities | 3 |
| TLA-611 | Ed & Hum Dev I:Understanding Learner | 3 |
| SPY-647 | Prevent & Crisis Intervention in Schools | 3 |
| SPY-645 | Behav, Soc, Emot Assmnt &inter | 3 |
| Ed Specialist (EdS) Requirements | ||
| SPY-655 | Clin Mental Hlth Couns/Chld& Adol | 3 |
| SPY-660 | Apply MTSS/Addr Acad&Beh Issues | 3 |
| SPE-635P | Community Envir W/Learing Disabilities | 3 |
| SPY-698 | Practicum 1: School Psychology | 3 |
| SPE-614 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| SPY-699 | Practicum 2: School Psychology | 3 |
| MCP-627 | Culturally Engaged Counseling | 3 |
| AL-666 | Leadership for School & Community Engage | 3 |
| SPY-700 | Internship 1: School Psychology | 3 |
| SPY-720 | Internship 2: School Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |