Curriculum

MA/CAGS in School Psychology: Degree Requirements

Students who enter the program with a four-year college degree first earn a Master of Arts (MA) in Professional Psychology after earning 30 or more credits.  They continue on to earn a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in School Psychology. The CAGS is equivalent to what is called an Educational Specialist (Eds) in many programs. This qualifies the recipient for licensure/certification through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Massachusetts and in many other states.


Part-Time Option

The program is primarily designed for full-time students. Some required courses are offered during daytime hours, and field experiences require students to be available during significant amounts of time during grade school hours.

Applicants who wish to extend their current employment, or who have significant competing demands of a short-term nature, may be able to begin the program on a part-time basis. Typically, this would involve completing the first year of the program over a two year period.


Curriculum Map

The full-time program consists of two years of coursework and a full year of internship, for a total of 66 semester credits. Students earn a Master's Degree in Professional Psychology (MA) after completing 30 or more credits, and receive the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) after completing the full program. Applicants with a master’s degree in a closely related field (e.g., clinical psychology, counseling) may qualify for advanced standing.

The curriculum is designed in accordance with the National Association of School Psychologists’ Standards for Graduate Preparation of School Psychologists. The usual sequence consists of the following courses and field experiences:

Year One: Fall Semester (14 credits)
SCH IA520 - Instructional Assessment and Intervention (credits: 3)
SCH RS526 - Statistics (credits: 3)
SCH LS659 - Lifespan Development (credits: 3)
SCH SN512 - Educating Children and Adolescents with Special Needs (credits: 3)
SCH FP501 - Practicum I: School Environment and Educational Assessment (credits: 2)

Year One: Spring Semester (15 credits)
SCH PA500 - Psychoeducational Assessment (credits: 3)
SCH BC521 - Behavioral Assessment, Intervention, and Consultation (credits: 3)
SCH PY521 - Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence (credits: 3)
SCH RS555 - Research and Evaluation Methods (credits: 3)
SCH FP502 - Practicum II: Pscyhoeducational Assessment and Intervention (credits: 3)

Year One: Summer Session (5 credits)
SCH CC522 - Diversity and Cross Cultural Psychology (credits: 3)
SCH PH501 - Preventive Mental Health in the Schools (credits: 2)

Year Two: Fall Semester (11 credits)
SCH PA600 - Social-Emotional Assessment (credits: 3)
SCH CX610 - Counseling and Psychotherapy in Schools (credits: 3)
SCH PS630 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in School Psychology (credits: 3)
SCH FP601 - Practicum III: Clinical Practice (credits: 2)

Year Two: Spring Semester (11 credits)
SCH BL622 - Biological Basis of Behavior and Learning (credits: 3)
SCH CO650 - Consultation In Schools (credits: 3)
SCH GR611 - Group Process and Group Therapy (credits: 3)
SCH FP602 - Practicum IV: Clinical Practice (credits: 2)

Year Three (10 credits)
SCH CS701 - Internship Seminar A (credits: 3)
SCH FP701 - Internship A (credits: 2)
SCH CS702 - Internship Seminar B (credits: 3)
SCH FP702 - Internship B (credits: 2)

Practicum activities provide opportunities to develop the skills taught in specific courses: Instructional Assessment and Intervention; Educating Children and Adolescents with Special Needs; Behavioral Assessment, Consultation, and Collaboration; Psychoeducational Assessment; Research and Evaluation Methods; Social-Emotional Assessment; Counseling and Psychotherapy in Schools; and Group Process and Group Therapy.

Program Total: 66 credits