School psychology,a growing field in California, is focused on helping students in K-12 schools with their learning, social, and emotional needs. School psychologists create positive learning environments, contributing significantly to children’s success and growth.

To become a school psychologist in California, you need to complete the required education and meet the state’s certification standards. After that, you can join the community of educators working in K-12 schools.

School Psychology Graduate Programs in California

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering school psychology programs in California:

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) has an online Master of Education in School Counseling program for individuals who want to be school counselors in K-12 schools. This program explores issues that schools face today and focuses on helping students with their social, emotional, and academic needs.

In USC’s online school counseling program, you will learn how to:

USC’s program is officially approved as a training program that prepares students for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s School Counseling (PPS-SC) Credential. You need this credentialto be a school counselor in California.

The courses in the master’s program are based on professional skills and standards from theAmerican School Counselor Association’s National Model for School Counseling, as well as important research from different fields like counselor education, sociology, philosophy, education, and counseling and community psychology.

Besides taking courses, you will do fieldwork in K–12 schools close to where you live. This will let you use what you learn in real situations with children, families, and school staff.

You will also need to finish a 100-hour practicum and a 700-hour internship during the program. You will take courses such as:

Capella University

The Education Specialist (EdS) in School Psychology program offers training for students planning to get a state license or certification as a school psychologist.

When you complete both Capella’s MS in School Psychology and EdS in School Psychology, you will be prepared to work toward getting your licenseas a school psychologist in California. Capella University has accreditation from theHigher Learning Commission.

The program’s curriculum focuses on using data for decision-making, as well as considering diversity and social justice. This helps learners get ready to offer services in constantly changing and diverse communities.

The Education Specialist (EdS) in School Psychology program consists of 7 core courses, 2 residency courses, 1 practicum course and 3 internship courses.

During the program, you will take courses such as:

California State University, Long Beach

The EdS – School Psychology program at California State University (CSULB), Long Beach prepares students to work in PreK-12 schools, offering social-emotional, behavioral, and academic help to children and teens. The program takes 3 years to finish, with 2-3 years of full-time coursework (9-12 units per semester), 450 hours of practicum, and a 1200-hour internship.

After finishing the program successfully, graduates get an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) and qualify for the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential in School Psychology from theCommission on Teacher Credentialing.

Program goals include:

The program also covers current legal and ethical guidelines because school psychology is becoming more involved with legal issues. Students learn in a scientist-practitioner model, using evidence-based practices, legal rules, and ethical standards to make decisions about assessing, helping, and preventing problems for students with and without disabilities.

San Diego State University

San Diego State University offers a 4-year school psychology program that leads to an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology and the California PPS credential in school psychology.

Degree learning goals include:

These experiences allow students to observe and practice various school psychology roles and functions, typically across 2 school levels (e.g., elementary, middle, and high school).

During the internship, students provide a wide range of services under the supervision of a school psychologist, including assessment, consultation, counseling, and other direct and indirect interventions.

University of California, Riverside

The program trains students as scientist-practitioners, helping them to contribute to the field’s knowledge base and address issues affecting K-12 students’ learning, behavior, and thinking.

The school psychology program follows an eco-behavioral approach, emphasizing skill development using evidence-based practices derived from applied behavior analysis, cognitive-behavioral, and social learning theories.

Graduates will be well-equipped for careers as practitioners in public K-12 education or as faculty at higher education institutions. They earn a Ph.D. and a credential in school psychology from theCalifornia Commission on Teacher Credentialing. They can also become Nationally Certified School Psychologists and, after completing post-doctoral requirements, licensed psychologists.

Ph.D. program learning goals include:

Students in the program participate in four years of practicum placements before a fifth-year pre-doctoral internship. These practicum experiences take place in diverse settings, including elementary, middle, and high schools, with some students opting for advanced practicum placements in clinics or nonpublic schools.

California State University, San Bernardino

California State University, San Bernardino offers an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in School Psychology, a 63-semester unit program designed for those seeking a career in the field of school psychology. The program includes two years of coursework covering various topics like consulting theories, evidence-based interventions, multicultural counseling, legal and ethical concerns, advanced child development, and cognitive assessment.

Students must also complete 450 hours of hands-on practicum experience. A 1,200-hour internship in a school setting takes place during the third year.

The Ed.S. program meets all the coursework requirements for the PPS credential and additional advanced courses that align with California state standards for school psychology specialization.

To graduate from the program, students must meet the following requirements: