Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology

Hybrid EdS in School Psychology

The mission of the Drexel University School Psychology program is to foster a lasting positive impact on the students we support. To meet our mission, we draw from a developmental understanding of growth across a lifespan, and the behavioral processes and ecological arrangement by which learning occurs. Therefore, the program focuses on the identification of developmental, behavioral and ecological variables that facilitate or impede individual academic success and behavioral health functioning. The development of evidence-based assessment practices, consultation knowledge and skills, behavior analytic technology, and intervention/treatment skills are central to the program's mission and are informed from a behavioral and developmental framework. There is a strong focus on "hands on" work in schools, clinics, hospitals, and institutions. Our mission is to train diverse cohorts of school psychologists who are agents of change in children’s lives.

The Drexel University School Psychology Educational Specialist (EdS) Program embraces a scientist/practitioner model of training. The program will develop school psychologists to use scientific inquiry, problem-solving, and a parsimonious approach to data analysis and outcome interpretation in their research and practice. This is a full-time, hybrid cohort mode – therefore, all students are expected to be in the greater Philadelphia area. With the cohort model, all students begin practicum in the first year, through our partnerships with local schools. This full-time hybrid format means all school psychology (EDSP) courses are in-person, and the remaining coursework is online, utilizing both synchronous and asynchronous learning activities. In the third year of the program, students apply skills learned through coursework by completing a 1200-hour internship under the supervision of a certified school psychologist in an approved school district. 

EdS in School Psychology Program Features

• Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a School Psychologist training program
• The EdS in School Psychology uses a hybrid model.
  • The school psychology core courses are taught in person at Drexel's main campus in Philadelphia, PA.
  • The applied behavior analysis, special education, and English learners courses are taken online for added flexibility.
• You will learn from faculty who are published experts in the fields of School Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Early Childhood Development.
• The program includes intensive practicum experiences, with the goal of getting you into community settings from the very beginning of your degree.
• The cohort nature of the program allows you to build relationships and network with classmates, faculty, and staff.
• You will learn standard IQ, EF, adaptive, skill-based, and achievement test assessment processes.

Archived Webinar

• Online Open House: EdS in School Psychology

FAQ: School Psychology EdS

What is the role of a school psychologist?
School psychologists work directly with students, assisting them with academic, emotional, or social issues as advocates and resources. They conduct evaluations and help develop student individualized education programs (IEPs). They also work within the school or educational community, with parents, teachers, and support staff, to engage in consultation with administrators and teachers, provide psychoeducation to parents, help make connections between the school and outside providers, and serve on teams designed to monitor and support students who do not receive special education. Additionally, some school psychologists may provide individual or group counseling.

What skills do you need to be a school psychologist?
Being a strong communicator who is comfortable collaborating with school administrators, teachers, and parents is crucial for school psychologists. You should be prepared to think critically about problems and offer creative solutions. And, because of the nature of the job, you should have excellent listening skills and be able to bring sensitivity and empathy into your interactions with students. Within school psychology, the ability to administer, score, and interpret a variety of assessments is paramount. Assessments include but are not limited to intellectual (IQ) tests, academic achievement tests, structured behavioral observation systems, parent and teacher interviews, and behavior rating scales.

Can a teacher become a school psychologist?
It’s not necessary to be a teacher or have a degree in education to pursue your EdS in School Psychology. However, for this program, it is preferred that you have some experience working with children. So, having a background as a teacher is a great entry point into this program. Even for those currently working in education, it is necessary to pursue additional training before becoming a school psychologist.

What are the benefits of being a school psychologist?
School psychology lets you have a direct impact on the lives of students. For those who want to work with students but don’t want to teach, school psychology is an extremely rewarding career. You will work closely with students to improve their lives, both in and out of school. This position gives you the opportunity to build an inclusive, diverse learning environment and promote good mental health.

What can I do with an EdS in school psychology?
With this degree, you’ll have the opportunity to find employment as a school psychologist in research centers, school districts, state and local education agencies, behavioral health agencies, and hospital and clinic settings. In addition to working in public schools, school psychologists may find work in other educational settings like private schools, intermediate units, behavioral health, and/or hospital settings. With the opportunity to obtain behavioral certifications such as Licensed Behavioral Specialist (LBS), Drexel graduates may also choose to work in various behavioral health settings. Many graduates who earn a school psychology degree show a passion for working directly with children, parents, and teachers in public schools. However, there is also room for growth within the educational system. School psychologists may ascend to administrative and leadership positions at the school or state-level.

The EdS in School Psychology program also requires students to complete the Praxis II in School Psychology, which is required for state certification in Pennsylvania. Students can expect to begin their career as a certified school psychologist after completing the program and all state requirements.

How much money does a school psychologist make?
EdS in School Psychology Salary Expectations
Job posting trends for school psychologists have been steadily increasing over the past decade and salaries are competitive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a school psychologist is roughly $87,550 per year. This figure is dependent upon your location, as well as your job setting (those working in a clinical environment, for instance, tend to have a higher salary than those working in a school). This is a pediatric-focused program, and one of our main goals is to prepare graduates to work in hospital and clinic settings, in addition to education agencies and behavioral health organizations.

How long does it take to complete an EdS in School Psychology?
This is a full-time program that takes three years to complete. You will complete two years of coursework, followed by a one-year internship. As a specialist degree, the EdS requires more credits than a Master’s degree. The EdS program requires a 3-year commitment: the first two years consist primarily of coursework with one day per week of required practicum experience in schools, and the third year has minimal coursework requirements. Students spend the academic year completing a full-time (1,200 hour) internship at a school. Many internship positions are paid, and recent Pennsylvania grants have provided funding for in-state and out-of-state students to receive a stipend.

What kind of background should someone interested in a School Psychology degree have?
Ideally, interested applicants should have one or more of the following:

• Undergraduate major or minor in psychology, education or other health/helping related field
• Post-graduate degree in psychology or related field, such as counseling or applied behavior analysis, or a background in education
• Experience working with children and/or parents

What makes Drexel’s School Psychology degree unique?
Drexel’s EdS in School Psychology program follows a hybrid model. Students can complete many classes online for added flexibility, and the in-person classes allow for hands-on experience with assessment measures, dynamic group activities and discussions, as well as the opportunity for students to connect with other members of their cohort. The program also contains coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Additionally, practicum (hands on experience) begins the first quarter of the first year. Practicum and courses are aligned so that what is discussed in class is similar to the focus of practicum for that quarter. Practicum and focus on ecological assessment distinguish our program from most others.

Learn more about what makes Drexel's EdS program unique:

Related Programs

• Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
• MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
• MS in Applied Behavior Analysi and Special Education

State restrictions may apply to some programs.