Educational Specialist in School Psychology

Introduction

The school psychology program is housed in the Beeghly College of 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. The first year includes 180 practicum hours and provides candidates with experiences related to a variety of low and high incidence disabilities.  Upon successful completion of year one requirements, candidates will graduate with a Master of Education in Intervention Services.  

For more information about the Department of Counseling, Special Education, and School Psychology, contact the Department Office at 330-941-3257 or visit our Department 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. This is the first new degree program in Ohio dedicated to the preparation of school psychologist in over four decades. 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. 

Jake J. Protivnak, Ph.D. 
Chair / Associate Professor
Department of Counseling, Special Education & School Psychology
330-941-1936
jjprotivnak@ysu.edu

Program Director

For specific questions about the Master of Education in Intervention Services and 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

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.

Accreditation

An application for the initial National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approval was submitted during Spring 2016. Programs must first complete a three year cycle producing graduates before application may be made for full NASP approval.   

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

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.