There are many key differences between the Ed.S. and Ph.D. programs in School Psychology at MSU. The Ed.S. program typically takes 3 years to complete, including 2 years of course work and 1 year of internship. The Ed.S. program is designed to train school psychologists according to the guidelines of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The Ed.S. program is approved by NASP. Graduates of the Ed.S. Program go on to work in schools in Michigan and around the country.
In contrast, the Ph.D. program typically takes 5-6 years to complete, including 4-5 years of course work and a 1-year predoctoral internship. The Ph.D. program is designed to train psychologists with a specialization in school psychology, according to the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA) and NASP. The Ph.D. is approved by NASP and is accredited by APA. Questions related to our program’s APA accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979 / Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
Graduates of the Ph.D. program go on to work in schools, universities, hospitals, clinics, private practice, and other settings. The table below outlines some key differences between the programs’ missions and goals.
| Ed.S. Program Mission and Goals The overall mission of the Ed.S program is to equip school psychologists with the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to provide quality psychological services to students in school settings. | Ph.D. Program Mission and Goals The overall mission of the Ph.D. program is to equip psychologists with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to provide quality psychological services to children, youth, and families in multiple settings, as well as to conduct research in related areas. |
| 1. Foundational Knowledge: Prepare school psychologists with foundational knowledge in child development, school and family systems, and individual differences in behavior. | 1. Foundational Knowledge: Prepare psychologists with foundational knowledge in psychological aspects of behavior. |
| 2. Professional Practice: Prepare school psychologists with the skills necessary for competent delivery of mental health services in school settings. | 2. Professional Practice: Prepare psychologists with the skills necessary for competent delivery of mental health services to children youth, and families. |
| 3. Research and Evaluation: Prepare school psychologists who effectively consume and disseminate research applicable in school settings. | 3. Research and Evaluation: Prepare psychologists who effectively evaluate, produce, and disseminate research. |
| 4. Professional Behavior: Prepare school psychologists who effectively collaborate with others in the delivery of services within school settings according to legal and ethical guidelines. | 4. Professional Behavior: Prepare psychologists who effectively collaborate with others in the delivery of services according to legal and ethical guidelines. |
A teaching certificate is not required, however we strongly recommend experiences working with children, youth, and families in educational, community, or clinical settings.
We do not offer a terminal master’s degree at MSU. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is the entry-level degree for School Psychology in the State of Michigan. Students are able to obtain a non-terminal MA in School Psychology as part of their Ed.S. or Ph.D. program. The MA does not enable students to practice as a school psychologist. Students must complete the Ed.S. or Ph.D. to be eligible for certification.
Annually we receive approximately 40-50 applications for the EdS program. We enroll 8-10 students into the Ed.S. program.
The EdS program is hybrid, with 50% of the coursework able to be completed online, synchronously and asynchronously, with 50% of coursework on campus, with classes almost always held on Tuesdays.
Ed.S. students have the opportunity to choose two electives to fulfill Ed.S. program credit requirements.
Students in the Ed.S. program take about 3 years to complete their degrees, including internship.
There are many resources available on the MSU campus to support graduate students’ physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, occupational and social wellness (grad.msu.edu/wellness). There are also graduate workshops available and many graduate student events (grad.msu.edu/calendar). The Olin Health Center and the Counseling Center are also available for students (olin.msu.edu/services/couns_psych.htm).
During the first year in the program, students are placed in general education classrooms where they work with individual students with academic or behavioral difficulties and assist with class-wide learning activities. During the second year and third years , students are assigned to a supervising school psychologist. Students initially shadow their supervisors and then later engage in more independent activities related to the supervisors’ responsibilities. Students have specific course work assignments and projects to be completed as part of their practicum experience. Fourth year doctoral students complete at least one semester of advanced practicum in a placement of their choosing that is not school-based. Doctoral students complete internships through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers, and placements range in setting and focus based on the students interests and goals.
You can read more about what are alumni are doing and our student group’s alumni page.