School Counseling

School Psychology Overview

The Masters in Counseling: School Psychology Credential Program is designed to promote social justice and democracy by preparing knowledgeable and competent professional School Psychologists.

School Psychology is one of the Best Careers of 2008, according to U.S. News and World Reports . CSUEB's Clinical Child/School Psychology (CCSP) Program is a nationally recognized training program that prepares professionals to make a difference in their communities. Founded in 1973, CSUEB's CCSP is the largest and earliest program in the Northern California Bay Area to receive approval from the National Association of School Psychologist (NASP). Program graduates are dedicated School Psychologists who become leaders in culturally and linguistically diverse K-12 schools.

The CCSP promotes professional excellence, community involvement, and collaboration between School Psychologists and other professionals in order to create learning communities where K-12 students are engaged as learners, passionate about what they do, and empowered as people.

Our core social justice, democracy, and professional excellence philosophy is given life by preparing knowledgeable and competent professional School Psychologists who engage in I ntervention, C onsultation, A ssessment, R esearch, and E ducation (I CARE).

Graduate Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the CCSP Program, graduates have three outcomes:

(1) MS in Counseling; (2) Recommendation for a California Credential in School Psychology; (3) Completion of coursework and hours necessary to apply for a Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Intern License. Additionally, graduates can apply to be Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP), after field experience and related examination.

Program and Course Structure

The CCSP is a full-time, three-year program. Courses are offered in a defined cohort sequence during fall, winter, and spring terms, during the day, evening, and on some weekends. Candidates may choose to complete the MFT option as part of their degree program.

Cohort

A "cohort" is a group of professionals who enter, move through, and graduate from the program in the same group, at the same time. Cohorts foster learning communities where professionals-in-training from both School Counseling and School Psychology support each other.

Faculty

Faculty members in the Department of Educational Psychology have expertise in strength-based intervention, social-emotional and cognitive behavioral intervention and assessment, neuropsychological assessment of learning disabilities, child therapy, and consultation.

Clinical Work and Fieldwork

Professionals-in-training are prepared for clinical work with people who are struggling with both normal life problems and the more severe pathologies. We orient candidates to promote resilience and practice strengths-based interventions. Training, combined with actual practice in fieldwork and the Community Counseling Clinic, prepares professionals-in-training

for careers as School Psychologists and therapists. Professionals-in-training begin working in schools at the beginning of the program and have fieldwork opportunities in over 20 Bay-Area school districts. First-, second-, and third-year trainees provide support to students, teachers, and parents while completing course-related assignment.

Prerequisite Coursework

Applicants must complete the following or equivalent courses prior to admission:

• Learning (3 units); PSYC 4210
• Statistics (3 units); STAT 1000
• Personality (3 units); PSYC 4610
• Abnormal Psychology (3 units); PSYC 4410
• Human, child, or Adolescent Development (3 units); PSYC 4420
• Psychological Tests (3 units); PSYC 3200

Admission Requirements

Students interested in applying to this program should complete the following:

1. The University Application (online)
2. The Departmental Application (a separate application)
3. Official transcripts; no specific major required; BA/BS must be completed before beginning program
4. Three academic/professional reference letters
5. A personal Statement
6. Either the Miller's Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
7. Writing Skills Test (WST) or equivalent passing exam score

Students whose completed applications are received will be contacted during spring quarter. Students are admitted into cohorts that begin during the fall quarter only.

Degree Requirements

In addition to completing the Division's required course of study, students are reviewed prior to advancement to candidacy by the program's faculty. The review involves both the student's academic progress and appropriate professional behavior.

Candidates' Professional Practice Portfolio provides one source of evidence for professional readiness; candidates document professional service, emerging professional identity, and reflection on the impact of services on children and school communities.

School Psychology Credential

Candidates completing the program and exam requirements (national Praxis II Exam in School Psychology) are recommended to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for a School Psychology Credential.

Marriage and Family Therapy License

The Master's in Counseling offered by the Department of Educational Psychology MFT option is designed to meet the requirements of Section 4980.37, 4980.40 and relevant subdivisions of Chapter 13 regarding Marriage and Family Therapy in Business and Professions Code of the State of California. Prospective students are advised to acquire and read the laws governing MFT licensure from the Board of Behavioral Science in Sacramento .

Candidates completing the program may apply for an MFT Intern License with the California Board of Behavioral Science; additional hours and an exam are required for licensure .

The School Psychology Profession

If possible, visit and talk to professional School Psychologists before applying. Find out what they love about their work. CSUEB promotes ethical practice and encourages active professional participation and engagement.

Professional and Licensure Websites

• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) www.nsaponline.org
• California Association of School Psychologists (CASP) www.casponline.org
• California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) www.bbs.ca.gov

Further Information

Department of Educational Psychology

California State University , East Bay

Hayward , CA 94542

(510) 885-3011/3013

Information and Department Application:

http://edschool.csueastbay.edu/departments/EPSY/