Educational Specialist in School Psychology

Introduction

The school psychology program is housed in the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education. Students who successfully complete 45 credit hours of coursework are awarded the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Intervention Services. An additional 54 credit hours are required for the awarding of the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology. Candidates must also pass the PRAXIS II examination in school psychology for licensure in the State of Ohio and for certification by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). (Please note the following are required for admission to the Educational Specialist degree: Successful completion of the YSU M.Ed. In Intervention Services, demonstration of successful skills as evidenced by grades and disposition ratings throughout the program, and a successful Ed.S. admissions interview.)

The program provides a curriculum that is comprehensive, integrated, and sequential. It follows the school psychology standards set forth by the State of Ohio, NASP, and the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP). Courses reflect current advances in the field of school psychology and education. In addition, the program has a unique emphasis in low incidence disabilities. The program is committed to implementing and integrating the most current technology.

The school psychology program is structured so that course content is accompanied by appropriate field experiences. Practicum experiences are designed to provide students with opportunities to practice skills that are required in professional practice while under direct supervision. Practicum experiences occur in conjunction with specific courses and are individualized in terms of setting and assignment to a field supervisor.

Full-time study in school psychology (M.Ed and Ed.S.) generally constitutes a three-year sequence. To develop the needed specific competencies and to meet the training goals of the YSU school psychology program, candidates during the first year of study complete coursework in counseling, educational, and psychological foundations at the master’s level. 

For more information about the School Psychology program, contact the  Office at 330-941-3257 or visit our website.

Welcome

Our program is designed to prepare graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills, and dispositions to serve as school psychologists. Youngstown State University offers a Master of Education in Intervention Services as the initial degree required for admission to the Educational Specialist in School Psychology program.  The School Psychology program at YSU enrolled its first class of candidates in 2012 and graduated its first class of School Psychologists in August 2015.  Graduate students will find a unique educational experience that prepares them for a career in School Psychology. I encourage you to review the website and to contact the program director below. 

Jeffrey Coldren, Ph.D. 
Chair / Professor
Department of Psychology Sciences and Counseling
330-941-1617
jtcoldren@ysu.edu

Program Director

For specific questions about the School Psychology program, please contact the program director:

Richard  W.  VanVoorhis, D.Ed., NCSP, Associate Professor
3212 Beeghly College of Education
(330) 941-3266
rwvanvoorhis@ysu.edu

Accreditation

The School Psychology program within the Department of Counseling, School Psychology, & Educational Leadership, achieved full national recognition as a NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) approved program through Fall 2024 - https://www.nasponline.org/  

Admission Requirements

The Youngstown State University school psychology program is a cohort-based program and will accept students on a full-time time basis. Part-time positions in the program are limited and are only considered when space is available. The first year of the program commences during the summer. The requirements for applying to the YSU School Psychology program are:

  • Successful completion of the YSU Master of Education in Intervention Services, demonstration of successful skills and dispositions, as evidenced by grades and disposition ratings throughout the program, and a successful Ed.S. admissions interview.
  • Application Deadlines:

       Fall: June 15th

       Spring: October 15th

       Summer: March 15th

Graduate Faculty

Carrie R. Jackson, D.Ed., Assistant Professor
Applied behavior analysis; autism spectrum disorders; neuropsychology; transition planning/vocational assessment

Richard W. VanVoorhis, D.Ed., Professor
Role and function of school psychologists; career development and counseling topics; special education service delivery; low incidence disabilities; assessment and identification issues

Requirements for Ed.S. Degree in School Psychology

Successful completion of the following 54 credit semester hours as listed below:

  • Successful completion of 22 required credit semester hours;
  • successful completion of 11 practicum required credit semester hours;
  • successful completion of 21 internship credit semester hours;
  • successful completion of EDS comprehensive exam;
  • approval of professional internship competency notebook; and
  • successful completion of Change Project (Capstone experience partial fulfillment of SPSY 7512 Internship/Supervised Experience 1, SPSY 7513 Internship/Supervised Experience 2, and SPSY 7514 Internship/Supervised Experience 3 requirements).

Required Courses for the Education specialist Degree in School Psychology

COURSE TITLE S.H.
Required Courses
SPSY 7500Dynamic Assessment 13
SPSY 7503Dynamic Assessment 23
SPSY 7506Behavior Assessment Practicum 23
SPSY 7507Principles of ABA in School Psychology3
SPSY 7508Principles of Neuropsychology For the School-Based Setting3
SPSY 7510Professional Development Seminar in School Psychology: Internship Preparation1
SPSY 7511Professional Issues in School Psychology3
Practicum Courses
SPSY 7501Dynamic Assessment Practicum in School Psychology 13
SPSY 7502Cognitive Ability, Observations Practicum2
SPSY 7504Behavior Assessment/Intervention Practicum3
SPSY 7505Academic Assessment/Intervention Practicum3
SPSY 7490Advanced Study and Practicum in Autism Spectrum Disorders3
Internship Courses
SPSY 7512Internship/Supervised Experience 16
SPSY 7513Internship/Supervised Experience 26
SPSY 7514Internship/Supervised Experience 33
SPSY 7515Advanced Seminar in School Psychology 13
SPSY 7516Advanced Seminar in School Psychology 23
Total Semester Hours54

Learning Outcomes

  1. Candidates will have knowledge and applied skills necessary to demonstrate school based data-based decision making and accountability.
  2. Candidates will have knowledge and applied skills necessary to demonstrate effective consultation and collaboration.
  3. Candidates will have knowledge and applied skills necessary to promote interventions and instructional support to develop student academic skills.
  4. Candidates will have knowledge and applied skills necessary to promote interventions and mental health services to develop student social and life skills.
  5. Candidates will have knowledge and applied skills necessary to promote school wide practices to promote learning.
  6. Candidates will have knowledge and applied skills necessary to promote family-school collaboration services.
  7. Candidates will have knowledge necessary to understand diversity in development and learning.
  8. Candidates will have knowledge and applied skills necessary to conduct research and program evaluation.
  9. Candidates will have knowledge and applied skills necessary to understand and demonstrate appreciate legal, ethical, and professional practice.

Graduate Courses

SPSY 5965    School Psychology - Special Topics    1-5 s.h.

Selected topics related to intervention and current interest in the school of psychology field of study. Grading is S/U.

SPSY 6901    School Consultation    3 s.h.

Overviews current educational practices that have made collaboration essential to the way educational professionals do their work. This course will cover the theoretical bases and consultation/collaboration skills necessary for affecting change in the educational environment from a system-wide perspective. The aim of this course is to prepare candidates to function as collaborative consultants promoting systematic and planning strategies for use within the public schools, in collaboration with families, to provide services to children with disabilities. Ed. in Intervention Services Candidate.
Prereq.: M.

SPSY 6902    Ecological School-Based Observation and Practice    3 s.h.

Provides candidates in the school psychology program with the opportunity to observe and participate in a variety of educational settings and experiences designed to support students with all types of disabilities and all grade levels. Through these activities, candidates will understand the organization of educational services, school-based systems, and student population characteristics as well as ecological factors that help to support learning.
Prereq.: MEd in Intervention Services Candidate.

SPSY 6904    Crisis Prevention and Response    3 s.h.

An overview of the concepts of crisis intervention theory in crisis counseling and assessment including techniques for assessment, intervention, and referrals within a crisis situation. Different types of crises will be discussed with emphasis on selecting appropriate strategies for various situations. The NASP PREPaRE model of crisis prevention and response will be highlighted.
Prereq.: MEd in Intervention Services Candidate.

SPSY 6905    Equitable Practices In Diversity and Inclusion    3 s.h.

Introduces pertinent theoretical cultural issues which relate to school psychologists as they work with diverse populations. Through lecture, discussion, and individual and group activities, candidates will develop multicultural competence allowing for appropriate individual and systemic interventions to be developed and implemented effectively. Candidates will explore their own level of cultural sensitivity as well as how their behavior impacts others, recognizing their own privilege and striving toward social justice in the educational setting.
Prereq.: MEd in Intervention Services Candidate.

SPSY 6906    Role and Function of the School Psychologist    3 s.h.

This course provides an overview of the professional concerns and issues school psychologists face working in public school systems. Additionally, orientation for field-based practicum and internship experiences will be discussed, as well as future responsibilities for employment as a school psychologist. Historical, legal, professional, and ethical issues pertaining to the role and function of a school psychologist will be reviewed.
Prereq.: MEd in Intervention Services Candidate.

SPSY 6907    Psycho-Educational Assessment Practices in the Schools    3 s.h.

This course is designed to provide an overview of the relevant concepts, principles and methods underlying the construction and interpretation of psychological and educational tests. Through lectures, discussion, and individual and group activities, candidates will learn about the basic concepts, competencies, issues, and tools used in psychological testing and measurement and their practical applications. In this course, candidates will gain knowledge of how psychological tests are built, what they can and cannot do, the conditions under which they should and should not be used, and how to evaluate their adequacy.
Prereq.: School Psychology Candidacy.

SPSY 6908    Research Design and Statistics for School Psychology    3 s.h.

This course takes a user-oriented approach to principles of research design, descriptive and inferential statistics, measurement, and varied data collection and analysis techniques as applied to the practice and scholarship of school psychology.Ed. in Intervention Services track.
Prereq.: M.

SPSY 6909    Identification and Support for Students with Disabilities    3 s.h.

An overview of special education identification procedures for students with disabilities. Candidates will develop knowledge of the definitions, assessment techniques, instructional considerations, and legislation surrounding all low- and high-incidence disabilities. Emphasis will be on the current most effective practices and research-based strategies for students with disabilities.
Prereq.: MEd In Intervention Services Candidate.

SPSY 6911    International Area Study: Project Learning Around the World    3 s.h.

This course is designed to enhance mental health or teacher's professional and personal level of sensitivity and competence via introducing them to innovative and traditional forms of intervention or healing in community and school settings in a developing country. Students will participate in philanthropic activities by helping to gather and deliver educational supplies via Project Learning Around the World (www.platw.org).

SPSY 6912    School-Based Multi-Tiered Systems of Support    3 s.h.

This course is designed to provide direct experiences in planning and evaluating multi-level academic and behavioral interventions across the three tiers of services within educational school systems for general education and students with disabilities. Intervention effectiveness metrics (effect size, percentage of non-overlapping data, goal attainment scaling) necessary for practicum and internship experiences will be covered. Participation in Response to Intervention (RtI) team meetings and concepts of curriculum, academic and applied functional behavioral analysis, progress monitoring, and determining effectiveness of interventions will be presented.
Prereq.: MEd in Intervention Services Candidate.

SPSY 7490    Advanced Study and Practicum in Autism Spectrum Disorders    3 s.h.

This course is designed to provide candidates with skills and experience related to early assessment and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including case conceptualization, the skills needed to create, modify, and/or adapt assessments, the ability to interpret assessments, classroom applications, implementation and evaluation of strategies and supports, and family-school collaboration. Special emphasis will be given to the application of ABA principles to classroom settings (discrete trial, analysis of verbal behavior, and direct instruction). Through didactic teaching and experiential learning via activities completed with students attending the Rich Center for Autism, candidates will gain knowledge of assessment, evidence-based interventions, treatment methods, and related issues affecting students with ASD and their families.
Prereq.: EdS track in School Psychology.

SPSY 7500    Dynamic Assessment 1    3 s.h.

This course includes the administration and interpretation of traditional, web-based, and iPad-based intelligence tests. The goal of this course is to provide candidates with a series of experiences which will lead to mastery in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of various cognitive and instruments. Candidates will become familiar with various traditional and alternative definitions of intelligence, gain knowledge of the general rules for administration and scoring of a variety of standardized cognitive assessment measures. Candidates will demonstrate mastery in the administration and scoring of various cognitive assessment batteries e.g., most current Wechsler, Kaufman, and Woodcock-Johnson test batteries. Candidates will also be introduced to academic achievement measures associated with these cognitive assessment batteries.
Prereq.: EdS in SPSY Candidate.
Coreq.: SPSY 7501 and SPSY 7502.

SPSY 7501    Dynamic Assessment Practicum in School Psychology 1    3 s.h.

Supervised experience in the administration and scoring of cognitive and academic achievement assessment protocols utilizing the most current Wechsler, Kaufman, and Woodcock-Johnson test batteries. Candidates will demonstrate competence in recording observations, scoring assessments, generating hypotheses, and interpreting assessment results. Candidates are expected to share evaluation findings through presentations and written reports.
Prereq.: EdS in SPSY Candidate.
Coreq.: SPSY 7500 and SPSY 7502.

SPSY 7502    Cognitive Ability, Observations Practicum    2 s.h.

Through in-person and feedback from video recorded sessions, candidates will gain supervised experiences in the administration of various psycho-educational instruments. Candidates will demonstrate mastery through formal observations of their administration and scoring for various cognitive and academic achievement measures utilizing the most current Wechsler, Kaufman, and Woodcock-Johnson test batteries.
Prereq.: EdS in School Psychology Candidate.
Coreq.: SPSY 7500 and SPSY 7501.

SPSY 7503    Dynamic Assessment 2    3 s.h.

This course is designed to provide candidates with a theoretical foundation and the attainment of assessment skills in the areas of comprehensive academic achievement, perceptual-motor, language, social-emotional-behavioral, vocational, and adaptive behavior assessments. Other informal assessments will be included such as interviewing, observing, conducting record reviews, etc. Topics such as scoring, interpretation, integration, decision-making, and intervention design will be included.
Prereq.: EdS in SPSY Candidate, Candidates must have obtained a "B" or better and reached competence in SPSY 7500, SPSY 7501, and SPSY 7502.

SPSY 7504    Behavior Assessment/Intervention Practicum    3 s.h.

Candidates are provided with supervised practica experiences in school systems in each of the following areas: utilization of a systematic, ecological approach to child study; familiarization with a variety of child study approaches including individualized classroom management, instructional materials, and teaching methodology; and furthering experience with the role of the school psychologist as a consultant. SPSY 7504 requires practicum hours to be spent in activities related to observations, interviews, and the completion of a Functional Behavioral Assessment/Behavior Intervention Plan. Candidates must have obtained a "B" or better and reached competence in SPSY 7500, SPSY 7501, and SPSY 7502.
Prereq.: EdS in SPSY Candidate.
Coreq.: SPSY 75013 and SPSY 7505.

SPSY 7505    Academic Assessment/Intervention Practicum    3 s.h.

Candidates are provided with supervised practica experiences in school systems in each of the following areas: utilization of a systematic, ecological approach to child study; demonstrating competencies with respect to technology, diversity, collaboration, and professionalism; and conducting and participating in staffing procedures. SPSY 7505 requires practicum hours to be spent in the administration/interpretation of 7501 and 7503 assessment instruments and the completion of a comprehensive Multi-factored Evaluation Team report.
Prereq.: EdS in SPSY Candidate, Candidates must have obtained a "B" or better and reached competence in SPSY 7500, SPSY 7501, and SPSY 7502.
Coreq.: SPSY 7503 and SPSY 7504.

SPSY 7506    Behavior Assessment Practicum 2    3 s.h.

Candidates will collaborate in the development of both an FBA and BIP for a student in their practicum placement site through direct student observation, informal and formal data collection methods, progress monitoring, and collaboration with IEP team. Candidates will collaborate in generating hypotheses and in the development of individualized interventions, as well as examining effectiveness of interventions via progress monitoring. Candidates will analyze/interpret evaluation and intervention data through the completion of written reports (FBA, BIP, and ETR/RR, if applicable).
Prereq.: EdS in SPSY Candidate.
Coreq.: SPSY 7507.

SPSY 7507    Principles of ABA in School Psychology    3 s.h.

This course will develop and strengthen knowledge, understanding, and practical skills related to basic principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and behavior modification techniques. Candidates will gain knowledge of the principles and components imperative in conducting functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and developing effective behavior intervention plans (BIP) in the educational environment. At the conclusion of this course, candidates will be able to construct a functional assessment interview (FAI), conduct an FBA utilizing appropriate data collection methodologies to address behavior(s) of concern, develop a BIP utilizing FBA data, select appropriate empirically supported intervention(s), and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented intervention(s).
Prereq.: EdS in SPSY candidate.
Coreq.: SPSY 7506.

SPSY 7508    Principles of Neuropsychology For the School-Based Setting    3 s.h.

The relationship of learning and brain function will be explored through awareness of neuropsychological processes, including normal and atypical development. The principles and practices of neuropsychology in the context of school-based settings will be explored, including assessment, identification, collaboration, research-based intervention, and rehabilitation for school-aged children with neuropsychological difficulties. Neuropsychology topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and low incidence disabilities will be emphasized.
Prereq.: EdS in SPSY Candidate, SPSY 7500, SPSY 7501, and SPSY 7502.

SPSY 7509    Family, School, & Community Systems    3 s.h.

This course helps candidates understand how school psychologists interact within and among various systems to identify patterns of needs; plan and implement individual, family, and system wide interventions; and conduct program evaluation. Candidates are expected to engage in various experiential activities to enhance their professional roles in the community and schools, and through their work with families.
Prereq.: Selected Candidate in Masters of Education in Intervention Services.

SPSY 7510    Professional Development Seminar in School Psychology: Internship Preparation    1 s.h.

This course is designed to prepare and ready school psychology candidates for their proposed internship assignment. Preparation tasks includes an overview of the internship experience, interviews with university and field supervisors/school administrators, discussions related to various internship expectations, coverage of time management principles required for the internship year, and various activities related to internship state licensure.
Prereq.: EdS in SPSY candidate.

SPSY 7511    Professional Issues in School Psychology    3 s.h.

This course involves various ethical and legal principles that have relevance to professional practice (i.e., assessing limits of competency, addressing potential dilemmas, utilizing available resources, coverage of landmark court cases, and understanding personal values and biases). Candidates are expected to fully understand and practice NASP Principles for Professional Ethics. Candidates are afforded the opportunity to review and practice various special education compliance mandates (i.e., timelines, documentation, parent rights, I.E.P development, etc.).
Prereq.: EdS in SPSY Candidate.

SPSY 7512    Internship/Supervised Experience 1    6 s.h.

Designed for those candidates who have been assigned a 1400-clock-hour internship in the state of Ohio under field and university supervision. 6 s.h. 6 s.h.

SPSY 7513    Internship/Supervised Experience 2    6 s.h.

Designed for those candidates who have been assigned a 1400-clock-hour internship in the state of Ohio under field and university supervision. 6 s.h. 6 s.h.

SPSY 7514    Internship/Supervised Experience 3    3 s.h.

Designed for those candidates who have been assigned a 1400-clock-hour internship in the state of Ohio under field and university supervision. 6 s.h. 6 s.h.

SPSY 7515    Advanced Seminar in School Psychology 1    3 s.h.

First of two-semester seminars (special topics related to school psychology internship, child study, serving low incidence populations, consultation, RTI and other topics related to the internship experience).
Prereq.: concurrent with SPSY 7512.

SPSY 7516    Advanced Seminar in School Psychology 2    3 s.h.

Second of two-semester seminars (special topics related to school psychology internship, child study, serving low incidence populations, consultation, RTI and other topics related to the internship experience).
Prereq.: concurrent with SPSY 7513.