Offering Campus
Argosy University, Phoenix
Program Overview
The Master of Arts (MA) in School Psychology degree program is designed to prepare ethical, responsible and competent school psychologists who are able to serve effectively in a number of professional roles. Students develop core competencies in psychological assessment, intervention, and consultation while working with diverse populations. This 66 credit degree program, based on standards developed by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), is designed for those seeking to be certified or licensed as school psychologists within the P-12 environment. Completion of the program will permit students to request certification/licensure as school psychologists in the campus’s home state.
Note
This program is approved by the State of Arizona Department of Education and only meets the certification requirements for the State of Arizona. If students want to work in any other State it is their responsibility to investigate the other State’s criteria about the reciprocity of the Arizona Department of Education School Psychologist Certificate.
Program Learning Outcomes
2.1 Data-Based Decision Making and Accountability – Knowledge
2.1.1 School psychologists have knowledge of varied methods of assessment and data collection methods for identifying strengths and needs, developing effective services and programs, and measuring progress and outcomes.
2.1 Data-Based Decision Making and Accountability – Skills
2.1A Candidates use psychological and educational assessment, data collection strategies, and technology resources as part of a comprehensive process of effective decision making and problem solving that permeates all aspects of service delivery.
2.1B Candidates systematically collect data and other information about individuals, groups, and environments as key components of professional school psychology practice.
2.1C Candidates translate assessment and data collection results into design, implementation, and accountability for evidence-based instruction, interventions, and educational and mental health services effective for particular situations, contexts, and diverse characteristics.
2.1D Candidates use assessment and data collection methods to evaluate response to, progress in, and outcomes for services in order to promote improvement and effectiveness.
2.1E Candidates access information and technology resources to enhance data collection and decision making.
2.1F Candidates measure and document effectiveness of their own services for children, families, and schools.
2.2 Consultation and Collaboration – Knowledge
2.2.1 School psychologists have knowledge of varied methods of consultation, collaboration, and communication applicable to individuals, families, groups, and systems and used to promote effective implementation of services.
2.2 Consultation and Collaboration – Skills
2.2A Candidates apply consultation methods, collaborate, and communicate effectively with others as part of a comprehensive process that permeates all aspects of service delivery.
2.2B Candidates consult and collaborate in planning, problem solving, and decision-making processes and to design, implement, and evaluate instruction, interventions, and educational and mental health services across particular situations, contexts, and diverse characteristics.
2.2C Candidates consult and collaborate at the individual, family, group, and systems levels.
2.2D Candidates facilitate collaboration and communication among diverse school personnel, families, community professionals, and others.
2.2E Candidates effectively communicate information for diverse audiences, for example, parents, teachers, other school personnel, policy makers, community leaders, and/or others.
2.2F Candidates promote application of psychological and educational principles to enhance collaboration and achieve effectiveness in provision of services.
2.3 Interventions and Instructional Support to Develop Academic Skills - Knowledge
2.3.1 School psychologists have knowledge of biological, cultural, and social influences on academic skills; human learning, cognitive, and developmental processes; and evidence based curriculum and instructional strategies.
2.3 Interventions and Instructional Support to Develop Academic Skills - Skills
2.3A Candidates use assessment and data collection methods to develop appropriate academic goals for children with diverse abilities, disabilities, backgrounds, strengths, and needs.
2.3B Candidates implement services to achieve academic outcomes, including classroom instructional support, literacy strategies, home–school collaboration, instructional consultation, and other evidence-based practices.
2.3C Candidates use evidence-based strategies to develop and implement services at the individual, group, and systems levels and to enhance classroom, school, home, and community factors related to children’s cognitive and academic skills.
2.3D Candidates implement methods to promote intervention acceptability and fidelity and appropriate data-based decision making procedures, monitor responses of children to instruction and intervention, and evaluate the effectiveness of service.
2.4 Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills – Knowledge
2.4.1 School psychologists have knowledge of biological, cultural, developmental, and social influences on behavior and mental health; behavioral and emotional impacts on learning and life skills; and evidence-based strategies to promote social–emotional functioning and mental health.
2.4 Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills – Skills
2.4A Candidates use assessment and data collection methods to develop appropriate social–emotional, behavioral, and mental health goals for children with diverse abilities, disabilities, backgrounds, strengths, and needs.
2.4B Candidates implement services to achieve outcomes related to socialization, learning, and mental health, including, for example, counseling, consultation, behavioral intervention, home–school collaboration, and other evidence-based practices.
2.4C Candidates integrate behavioral supports and mental health services with academic and learning goals for children.
2.4D Candidates use evidence-based strategies to develop and implement services at the individual, group, and/or systems levels and to enhance classroom, school, home, and community factors related to children’s mental health, socialization, and learning.
2.4E Candidates implement methods to promote intervention acceptability and fidelity and appropriate data-based decision making procedures, monitor responses of children to behavioral and mental health services, and evaluate the effectiveness of services.
2.5 School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning – Knowledge
2.5.1 School psychologists have knowledge of school and systems structure, organization, and theory; general and special education; technology resources; and evidence-based school practices that promote academic outcomes, learning, social development, and mental health.
2.5 School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning – Skills
2.5A Candidates design and implement evidence-based practices and policies in, for example, areas such as discipline, instructional support, staff training, school improvement activities, program evaluation, student transitions at all levels of schooling, grading, home–school partnerships, etc.
2.5B Candidates utilize data-based decision making and evaluation methods, problem-solving strategies, consultation, technology resources, and other services for systems-level issues, initiatives, and accountability responsibilities.
2.5C Candidates create and maintain effective and supportive learning environments for children and others within a multi-tiered continuum of school-based services.
2.5D Candidates develop school policies, regulations, services, and accountability systems to ensure effective services for all children.
2.6 Preventive and Responsive Services – Knowledge
2.6.1 School psychologists have knowledge of principles and research related to resilience and risk factors in learning and mental health, services in schools and communities to support multi-tiered prevention, and evidence-based strategies for effective crisis response.
2.6 Preventive and Responsive Services – Skills
2.6A Candidates promote environments, contexts, and services for children that enhance learning, mental and physical well-being, and resilience through protective and adaptive factors and that prevent academic problems, bullying, violence, and other risks.
2.6B Candidates use assessment and data collection methods to develop appropriate goals for and to evaluate outcomes of prevention and response activities and crisis services.
2.6C Candidates contribute to, design, implement, and/or evaluate prevention programs that integrate home, school, and community resources and promote learning, mental health, school climate and safety, and physical well-being of all children and families.
2.6D Candidates contribute to, design, implement, and/or evaluate services for crisis prevention, preparation, response, and recovery at the individual, family, and systems levels and that take into account diverse needs and characteristics.
2.6 E Candidates utilize data-based decision making methods, problem-solving strategies, consultation, collaboration, and direct and indirect services for preventive and responsive services to promote learning and mental health and for crisis services.
2.7 Family–School Collaboration Services - Knowledge
2.7.1 School psychologists have knowledge of principles and research related to family systems, strengths, needs, and culture; evidence-based strategies to support family influences on children’s learning, socialization, and mental health; and methods to develop collaboration between families and schools.
2.7 Family–School Collaboration Services - Skills
2.7A Candidates design and implement evidence-based practices and policies that facilitate family–school partnerships and interactions with community agencies to enhance academic, learning, social, and mental health outcomes for all children.
2.7B Candidates identify diverse cultural issues, situations, contexts, and other factors that have an impact on family–school interactions and address these factors when developing and providing services for families.
2.7C Candidates utilize data-based decision making, evaluation methods, problem-solving strategies, consultation, communication, and direct and indirect services to enhance family–school–community effectiveness in addressing the needs of children.
2.7D Candidates design, implement, and evaluate education programs and other types of services that assist parents with promoting the academic and social–behavioral success of their children and addressing issues and concerns.
2.8 Diversity in Development and Learning – Knowledge
2.8.1 School psychologists have knowledge of individual differences, abilities, disabilities, and other diverse characteristics; principles and research related to diversity factors for children, families, and schools, including factors related to culture, context, and individual and role differences; and evidence-based strategies to enhance services and address potential influences related to diversity.
2.8 Diversity in Development and Learning – Skills
2.8A Candidates provide effective professional services in data-based decision making, consultation and collaboration, and direct and indirect services for individuals, families, and schools with diverse characteristics, cultures, and backgrounds and across multiple contexts, with recognition that an understanding of and respect for diversity and in development and learning is a foundation for all aspects of service delivery.
2.8B Candidates, in collaboration with others, address individual differences, strengths, backgrounds, and needs in the design, implementation, and evaluation of services in order to improve academic, learning, social and mental health outcomes for all children across family, school, and community contexts.
2.8C Candidates, in schools and other agencies, advocate for social justice and recognition that cultural, experiential, linguistic, and other areas of diversity may result in different strengths and needs; promote respect for individual differences; recognize complex interactions between individuals with diverse characteristics; and implement effective methods for all children, families, and schools to succeed.
2.8D Candidates provide culturally competent and effective practices in all areas of school psychology service delivery and in the contexts of diverse individual, family, school, and community characteristics.
2.9 Research and Program Evaluation – Knowledge
2.9.1 School psychologists have knowledge of research design, statistics, measurement, varied data collection and analysis techniques, and program evaluation methods sufficient for understanding research and interpreting data in applied settings.
2.9 Research and Program Evaluation – Skills
2.9A Candidates evaluate and synthesize a cumulative body of research and its findings as a foundation for effective service delivery.
2.9B Candidates provide assistance in schools and other settings for analyzing, interpreting, and applying empirical evidence as a foundation for effective practices at the individual, group, and/or systems levels.
2.9C Candidates incorporate various techniques and technology resources for data collection, measurement, analysis, and accountability in decision-making and in evaluation of services at the individual, group, and/or systems levels.
2.9D Candidates, in collaboration with others, design, conduct analyses, and/or interpret research and/or program evaluation in applied settings.
2.10 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice – Knowledge
2.10.1 School psychologists have knowledge of the history and foundations of school psychology; multiple service models and methods; ethical, legal, and professional standards; and other factors related to professional identity and effective practice as school psychologists.
2.10 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice – Skills
2.10A Candidates provide services consistent with ethical and professional standards in school psychology.
2.10B Candidates provide services consistent with legal standards and regulations relevant for practice in settings in which school psychologists work.
2.10C Candidates engage in effective and responsive ethical and professional decision-making that reflects recognition of diverse needs and characteristics of children, families, schools, and other professionals.
2.10D Candidates apply professional work characteristics needed for effective practice as school psychologists, including respect for human diversity and social justice, communication skills, effective interpersonal skills, responsibility, adaptability, initiative, dependability, and technology skills.
2.10E Candidates utilize supervision and mentoring for effective school psychology practice.
2.10F Candidates engage in effective, collaborative professional relationships and interdisciplinary partnerships.
2.10G Candidates, in collaboration with other professionals (e.g., teachers, principals, library and media specialists), access, evaluate, and utilize information resources and technology in ways that enhance the quality of services for children .
2.10H Candidates advocate for school psychologists’ professional roles to provide effective services, ensure access to their services, and enhance the learning and mental health of all children and youth.
2.10I Candidates engage in career-long self-evaluation and continuing professional development.
Admission Requirements
The application process for admission into the MA in School Psychology degree program requires the submission of all materials that will enable the School Psychology Admissions Committee to verify the applicant’s academic qualifications to enroll at a graduate professional school.
To be considered for application the applicants must possess the following:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
- A grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for the last 60 hours of coursework (including graduate work).
- A minimum score on an Argosy University pre-approved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction as specified in Section Five, Admission Policies, “English Language Proficiency Policy .”
- Completion of an interview with a member of the program Admissions Committee
- Photocopy of valid Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (plastic) issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
All applications for admission will be submitted to the Admissions Department and will include at least the following:
- Completed Application for Admission Form
- Application fee (Non-refundable, except in California and Arizona. In the state of Arizona, the application fee is refundable if the application is canceled within three business days of the applicant signing the Enrollment Agreement.)
- Personal statement with a self-appraisal of qualifications for the profession
- Current résumé (or current summary)
- Three completed Applicant Recommendation Forms
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
- Assessment of applicant’s personal integrity, maturity, interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate
Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for awarding of the MA in School Psychology degree, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Successful completion of 66 semester credit hours that includes
- 54 credit hours of core courses
- 6 credit hours of practicum
- 6 credit hours of internship
- A minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0), and a grade of “B-” or better in all required courses
- Successful completion of all state requirements for certification, including passage of the state exam for certification. If no state exam is required for certification, the student must take and pass Praxis II for School Psychology.
- A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration
Arizona School Psychologist Certification Requirements
Graduation from the MA in School Psychology degree program does not guarantee certification. To qualify for certification, the following condition must be met:
- Successful completion of all program requirements.
Note
* The MA in School Psychology degree program leads to Arizona Department of Education School Psychologist Certification. All other programs offered through the Argosy University, Phoenix College of Education DO NOT lead to School Psychologist certification, licensure, or endorsement in any other State in the United States. The programs offered through Argosy University-Online Programs DO NOT lead to School Psychologist certification, licensure, or endorsement in any State in the United States regardless of the State in which the student resides.
Program Requirements
Students enrolled in the MA in School Psychology degree program are required to complete 66 semester credit hours distributed as follows: core course requirements, 54 credit hours; practicum requirements, 6 credit hours; internship requirements, 6 credit hours.
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