Specialist in School Psychology
ECU’s school psychology (MA, SSP) program prepares compassionate, skilled and innovative professionals to step into rewarding careers in public schools.
Specialist in School Psychology Program Overview
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of children and families? Our school psychology (MA, SSP) program prepares compassionate, skilled and innovative professionals to step into rewarding careers in public schools. As a school psychologist, you will blend expertise in psychology and education to support students’ academic growth, cognitive development, and social-emotional well-being.
The overarching goal is simple but powerful: to train entry-level school psychologists who can confidently apply best practices across a preventative, three-tier model of service delivery. You will graduate with the skills and competencies outlined by the NASP Practice Model — ready to step into the field as a capable, effective professional. Our NASP-approved school psychology program is structured to allow graduates to meet the educational requirements of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for DPI-licensure as a school psychologist in North Carolina; the educational qualifications to seek North Carolina Board of Psychology licensure as a psychological associate; and the educational qualifications for certification by the National School Psychology Certification Board. Graduates also meet the educational requirements of school psychology licensure/certification in other states. The program is a 70-semester-hour, three-year (minimum) post-baccalaureate degree program. Admission is for full-time graduate study, beginning in the fall semester only. There is no distance education option for this program at this time.
ECU Advantage
What sets us apart is our scientist-practitioner approach. You won’t just learn theories — you’ll learn how to use data and research to design interventions, solve problems, and create solutions that work in real classrooms. From your very first semester, you’ll experience an intentional blend of coursework, hands-on practica, and internship opportunities that connect knowledge with practice.
Our dynamic faculty members have a variety of research and practice interests related to school psychology, unique experiences and backgrounds, and a strong commitment to training quality school psychologists. Our faculty will be sure that you are prepared to enter the profession with the most up-to-date information and skills to practice psychology within the public-school setting.
What You Will Study
Program Coordinator: Christy Walcott (214 Rawl Building; 252-328-1378; walcottc@ecu.edu)
The MA/SSP graduate program in school psychology is a three-year program to train psychologists for practice in school and related settings and requires 70 s.h. total. The program requires full-time attendance and students must complete both the Psychology, MA school psychology concentration (34 s.h.) and the Specialist in School Psychology, SSP degree (36 s.h.). The first two years of the program provide classroom training and field experiences in assessment, consultation, and interventions for children, adolescents, families, and school systems. The third year consists of a full-time paid internship in a public school setting.
Program completion of both MA and SSP meets the current requirements for licensure by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as a school psychologist, for certification by the National School Psychology Certification Board, and satisfies the educational requirements for licensure by the North Carolina Psychology Board as a licensed psychological associate. The MA/SSP program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The SSP requires 36 s.h. as follows:
Core Requirements:
I. Assessment - 3 s.h.
- PSYC 6353 - Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
II. Consultation and intervention - 9 s.h.
- PSYC 6402 - School Consultation
- PSYC 7442 - School Interventions I
- PSYC 7443 - School Intervention II
III. Educational foundations - 6 s.h.
Choose 6 s.h. of program coordinator approved electives.
IV. Practicum - 6 s.h.
- PSYC 7950 - School Practicum I
- PSYC 7951 - School Practicum II
V. Internship - 12 s.h.
- PSYC 7992 - School Internship I
- PSYC 7993 - School Internship II
Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina
The curriculum for all ECU Certificates, Degrees, and other Graduate Programs have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you'll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply.
For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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