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Introduction
Education Specialist Degree Approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), this program provides training in both psychology and education. School psychologists use their knowledge, training, and skills to team with educators, parents and other mental health professionals. They work to maximize the learning of students and to develop safe, healthy and enriching school environments.
The Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.) follows the completion of the Master of Science in Education degree (M.S. Ed.). After completing the Ed.S. degree, students are eligible for full certification by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the corresponding agency in most states. Students can become nationally certified (NCSP) by the National Association of School Psychologists by passing an exam.
The Ed.S. degree is a 46 to 49 credit degree program. After satisfactorily completing the required course work, practica, a yearlong (nine month) internship and a Specialist Thesis, students are awarded the degree.
Degree Program Admission
To be admitted with full status, the applicant must hold a master’s degree in school psychology or a master’s degree in a related field. Applicants must have a graduate grade point average of 3.25 or better to be admitted as full-status students. A limited number of applicants may be admitted on probationary status if their overall graduate grade point average is at least a 3.0.
It is recommended that applicants have a master’s degree in school psychology. Applicants with master’s degrees in related fields will be required to take the additional graduate course work necessary for certification as a school psychologist.
Applicants must submit the Graduate School Application form (obtainable online at http://www.uwstout.edu/grad/prospect/apply.cfm), the Program Application form (obtainable online at http://www.uwstout.edu/programs/edssp/apply.cfm) and their respective documents, along with a portfolio to the selection committee demonstrating their professional competencies related to the field of school psychology.
Students seeking admission to the program should complete and submit their application materials at least 30 days prior to the opening of the term in which they plan to begin their program. After a committee review of the application materials, candidates will be notified of their status prior to the intended enrollment term.
Primary Evaluation Processes
The primary process used to evaluate student performance is a regular review of the student’s course grades, research activities, practicum evaluations, internship evaluations and professional conduct. Program faculty convene once a semester to evaluate each student’s progress within the school psychology program. Degree candidacy is awarded to students who are in good standing, have fulfilled all Graduate School requirements for degree candidacy, have fulfilled all school psychology program requirements for degree candidacy and certification, have acquired 46-49 credits beyond the M.S.Ed. in School Psychology, have completed a nine-month internship, and have completed a Specialist Thesis. More information regarding the specific requirements is available in the program handbook (available online or from the program director).
Requirements
Requirements for the Ed.S. degree include (a) completion of at least 46 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the master’s degree with an overall grade point average of 3.25 or better; a minimum of 18 credits must be in courses open only to graduate students - 700 and 800 level; (b) approval for degree candidacy at the appropriate time; and (c) a course distribution which is outlined here.
The following courses are required for full certification as a school psychologist. Students must attain a grade of “B” or better on all credits applied to the Ed.S. degree.
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