Specialist in Psychological Services, S.Psy.S.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 70 hours
Specialist in Psychological Services
This is a three-year, full-time, 70-hour graduate program, designed specifically to meet NASP accreditation standards, leading to the Master of Arts degree in Psychology and the Specialist in Psychological Services. Students complete coursework that prepares them to be knowledgeable in the following core content areas: Psychological and Educational Foundations, Research Methods, Psychological and Educational Assessment, Intervention Strategies, and Professional School Psychology. A full-time internship is completed during the third year of the program. The program is designed to be completed in three years. Students are expected to take no more than five years to finish.
Although this is a three-year graduate degree, applications will be accepted from students who already have taken graduate work, including the master's degree, at Central Michigan University or at other approved institutions. Credit will be given for such work in accordance with university regulations, provided it is consistent with the School Psychology curriculum.
This program meets the Michigan requirements for certification as a School Psychologist as defined by the State Board of Education and for national certification (NASP). In addition, this program will permit certification as a School Psychologist in the majority of states.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Admission Requirement Snapshot
GPA: 3.0
Application Deadline: January 15 (Fall)
See Admission Requirement Details Below
Admission
Admission is competitive with approximately 8 to 10 students accepted each year. Admission requirements and a detailed description of the School Specialist program can be obtained from the Department of Psychology website. In addition to grades, the admissions committee is very attentive to letters of recommendation, statement of research interest, and relevant professional experiences.
An acceptable master's degree or 15 semester hours of undergraduate psychology or the equivalent as determined by the department, a 3.0 overall grade point average is required for admission Students who are deficient in certain subject areas will be expected to make up these deficiencies in addition to the normally prescribed graduate coursework for the degree.
Program Requirements
Progress through the program is based on satisfactory grades (a grade point average of "B" or better overall) and satisfactory evaluations of pre-professional functioning (e.g., appropriate interpersonal skills, ethical and professional conduct). Serious and persistent difficulties in preprofessional functioning may result in dismissal from the program (see Student Handbook, School Psychology Program). For admission to 790, a student must have earned a "B" or better grade in all assessment, intervention, and consultation courses. In addition, a student must earn a "B" or better grade in PSY 791 and have an approved thesis proposal prior to admission to PSY 795.
At the master's degree level, a thesis and oral exam over the thesis are required. At the specialist degree level, the student must demonstrate professional competencies in working with students, parents, and school personnel. This requirement will be met by the student's satisfactory completion of a supervised internship (PSY 795, Internship A; PSY 796, Internship B).
Required Course for Master's Degree (34 hours)
34 hours chosen from Required Courses I-VI below:
Required Courses I (19 hours)
| PSY 605 | Assessment of Affective and Behavioral Disorders of Children and Youth | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 655 | Introduction to Intelligence Testing | 2(2-2) |
| PSY 656 | Advanced Intellectual Assessment | 2(2-2) |
| PSY 667 | Assessment and Development of Academic Skills I | 3(3-1) |
| PSY 767 | Assessment and Intervention for Developmental Disabilities | 3(3-1) |
| PSY 798 | Thesis | 1-12(Spec) |
Required Courses II (3 hours)
| PSY 511 | Statistics in Psychology | 3(3-1) |
Required Courses III (3 hours)
Social Basis of Behavior
| SPE 550WI | Teaching Diverse Students in Educational Settings | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses IV (3 hours)
Human Development
| PSY 624 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses V (3 hours)
Cognitive Basis of Behavior
Required Courses VI (3 hours)
Biological Basis of Behavior
| PSY 587 | Physiological Psychology | 3(3-0) |
Note: Course substitutions can be made in Required Courses III through VI with the approval of the student's advisor and program director.
Additional Required Courses for the Specialist Degree (36 hours)
Additional Required Courses (30 hours)
| PSY 562 | Therapeutic Intervention: Foundations | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 662 | Advanced Therapeutic Interventions | 3(3-1) |
| PSY 677 | Assessment and Development of Academic Skills II | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 760 | Seminar A: School Services | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 766 | Seminar: Consultation Skills | 3(Spec) |
| PSY 780 | Behavior Therapy | 3(2-2) |
| PSY 790 | Practicum I A: Professional Services | 3(Spec) |
| PSY 791 | Practicum I B: Professional Services | 3(Spec) |
| PSY 795 | Internship in School Psychology A | 3(Spec) |
| PSY 796 | Internship in School Psychology B | 3(Spec) |
Electives (6 hours)
Hours of coursework are chosen with the approval of the student's advisor.
Total: 70 semester hours