Application Process

We welcome your interest in the MSU School Psychology Ed.S. Program! We hope you will explore our website to learn more about our Program's goals and curriculum. We encourage you to learn more about our student group and our faculty, or come to East Lansing to tour the MSU campus.

We also invite you to reach out to a student or contact a faculty member with any questions about the Program or the admissions process.

 

Admissions Criteria for Ed.S. Program

We seek applicants who are interested in working in progressive roles as school psychologists including assessment, consultation, and evidence-based intervention with a wide range of individuals in school settings. We prefer applicants who have experience working with children, youth, or families in schools or community agencies.

In selecting students for the program, we attempt to bring together a richly diverse group of students, representing women and men of varied cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds; life experiences; and physical abilities/challenges. We particularly encourage applications from individuals of racial and ethnic minority groups and individuals with prior work experience.

In addition to meeting the University and College requirements for admission, applicants must also satisfy the following criteria:

 

1. Professional goals and interests that are compatible with program objectives and philosophy as evidenced in a Statement of Professional Goals and Experiences.
2. The completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in psychology, education, or a closely related field. A minimum of 15 credits in education and/or psychology at the undergraduate level, preferably including child development, theories of personality, abnormal psychology, and education of exceptional children is preferred. Students should possess skills in computer technology. Students who do not meet these prerequisites and want to be considered for admission may be required to take supplementary courses and practica. Individuals with Master's degrees in psychology or a related field may also apply for admission.
3. Evidence of previous successful academic performance, including a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate coursework and a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 in coursework taken at the master's level or beyond.
4. Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination which typically means that scores fall within the above average range (The College requires that the GRE must have been taken no longer than five years prior to the application for admission).
5. Strong personal recommendations from individuals who are knowledgeable about student academic performance and ability to work effectively with people.
6. A writing sample demonstrating effective writing skills.
7. An on-campus interview.*
8. Criminal Disclosure Form.
9. A teaching certificate is not required, however evidence of experience with children, youth, and families in school, community, or agency settings is desirable.

Applicants should also include a resume or curriculum vita. Applicants should provide a written statement to the effect that they will be available to complete an internship of 1200 clock hours (two 600 clock hour blocks across 30 weeks). To be eligible for employment in states other than Michigan, a greater number of internship hours may be required.

Admissions Deadline for Ed.S. Program

Applicants are required to follow the all of the steps outlined by the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education. The deadline for Educational Specialist applications is January 15 of each year (next business day when this falls on a weekend). Applications are reviewed only once each year, and students are admitted to the program for the following Fall semester only.

The admissions committee will review all applications to the Ed.S. program and select a group of approximately 10-15 students to invite to campus for an interview. *Invited applicants will be expected to participate in the on-campus interview. If a campus visit is not feasible, the program will work with applicants to make other arrangements.