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M.A. in School Psychology

School Psychology Admissions

The School Psychology Program seeks candidates for admission with qualities that will enable them to become outstanding school psychologists. School psychologists must have the skills to analyze educational problems at all levels of the system; design, implement, and evaluate interventions to prevent or solve these problems; and collaborate with families, educators, and community members to promote healthy educational and psychological outcomes for all children. Therefore, we seek candidates who demonstrate the following dispositions:

• Approach new experiences with initiative, enthusiasm, flexibility, dedication, and willingness to learn
  
• Engage in thoughtful analysis of performance, seek feedback, and incorporate suggestions into work
  
• Are eager to learn, recognize that learning is never completed, and are committed to lifelong professional development
  
• Demonstrate excellent critical thinking and writing skills
  
• Demonstrate responsibility, trustworthiness, reliability, cooperation and respect of others
  
• Enjoy working with children, parents, and educators
  
• View all children, families, and educators as having strengths and a capacity to learn and change
• Embrace diversity as a source of enrichment rather than deficit; treat others with respect and a desire to understand their points of view
  
• Are committed to ethical practices and to serving as agents of renewal and change within schools and communities
  
• Value working collaboratively with students, families, educators, and the wider community in the pursuit of common goals
  
• Understand that practice must be based in sound scholarship, viewing themselves as both producers and consumers of scholarly knowledge
  
• Are committed to the profession of school psychology and seek to make contributions to the field.

Applicants are judged individually. However, several basic considerations guide the admission process:

• A minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 in all undergraduate and graduate course work. (Note, however, that during the past 5 years, nearly all admitted students had a GPA above 3.2 and the average was 3.5)
  
• A grade point average of at least 3.0 in all graduate work completed.
• Submission of GRE verbal and quantitative scores. (Note that the scores of students admitted to the program during the past few years have averaged about 1100)
• Submission of three letters of recommendation
• Submission of TOEFL scores for foreign students
• Evidence of the dispositions cited above in the applicant's written statements and interview

Courses designed to remediate deficiencies in an applicant's background may be required. Credit for these courses would not apply to the program's required credit hours.

Application Review

• Students' applications are reviewed by at least two faculty members. Approximately 15 of the most promising candidates are selected for personal interviews. Candidates' grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements are reviewed for evidence of the qualities and predispostions listed above
• Students selected for an interview will be invited to come on either Monday, February 16, 2009 or Wednesday, February 18, 2009. The interview process on each day consists of three components. First, students participate in a small group orientation (usually about 8 students are included in a group). During this process, candidates introduce themselves to each other, listen to a presentation about the program from faculty, and ask questions about the program. Second, candidates participate in a series of 15-20 minute individual interviews with at least two faculty members. Third, candidates have the opportunity to talk with one or two current students in the program. Candidates' statements, questions, and interactional style are observed for evidence of the qualities and predispositions listed above.
• Following the interviews, candidates are 1) offered admission, 2) placed on the waiting list, or 3) not accepted. Because candidates typically apply to several programs, and may attend elsewhere, candidates from the waiting list are frequently offered admission later in the process. Each year's entering class consists of 6-10 students.

Preparing for the Interview

To prepare for the interview, candidates should consider taking the following steps:

1. Learn as much as possible about the field of school psychology and the role and function of school psychologists. Visit web sites for school psychologists, particularly the web site for the National Association of School Psychologists: http://www.nasponline.org. If possible, talk with practicing school psychologists about their work. Candidates should be prepared to describe why they wish to become school psychologists.
2. Consider personal and professional strengths and areas of needed improvement. Candidates should be prepared to describe these.

Transfer Credits and Direct Admission to Specialist-level of the Program

The School of Education will accept as many as 9 graduate credits towards the Master's degree. Applicants should inquire about possible transfer credits early in the admissions process because certain courses may not be taken elsewhere. Transferred credits must be approved by the program coordinator and two other members of the program faculty. Students will be required to submit college transcripts and course syllabi in order for credits to be approved. Such syllabi should indicate that the course covered the same material and requirements as the UD course from which the student is exempted and that the student mantained the same grade standards as required in the UD Masters program (i.e., a grade of B in all courses and a cumulative GPA of 3.5).

Students with a Masters degree in school psychology from another university or with a Masters degree in a related area (e.g., special education, school counseling) may apply for admission to the Specialist Certification portion of the program. To qualify for direct admission (bypassing the Masters in School Psychology portion) the applicant must have 15 or more graduate credits corresponding to required courses in the School Psychology curriculum and meet all other admissions requirements for the Masters. Students admitted directly to the Specialist Certificate level must complete all other M.A. requirements not completed as part of the previous master's degree and pass the MA comprehensive examination within one year of admission. Admitted students also are required to fulfill the program requirement of completing at least one year of studies (exclusive of internship) as a full-time resident.