Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology

Hybrid EdS in School Psychology

The EdS in School Psychology from Drexel University's School of Education is a pediatric-focused program that gives you the tools to make a real difference in the lives of children and young adults. Using a multicultural informed framework, you will learn the function of a school psychologist, and how school psychologists perform their roles and responsibilities in a variety of community settings, including educational agencies, clinical and hospital settings, and behavioral health organizations. You will also learn how to select and implement targeted evidence-based intervention practices and ensure that all students have access to an equitable, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate instructional and behavioral experience.

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 psychology core courses are taught in person at Drexel's main campus in Philadelphia, PA.
  • The applied behavior analysis, special education, and English language learners courses can be 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.
• You will have the opportunity to become dual certified in Applied Behavior Analysis and School Psychology.

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, including with parents, teachers, and other 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 could include but not be limited to intellectual (IQ) tests, academic achievement tests, structured behavioral observation systems, parent and teacher interviews, and behavior rating scales.

Can a teacher become an educational 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 outside of a classroom setting. For those who want to work with students but don’t want to teach, school psychology can be 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 education agencies and departments, 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, and university clinics. With the opportunity to obtain behavioral certifications such as Licensed Behavioral Specialist (LBS) or BCBA, 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 certification in many states, including 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 an educational 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 an approved course sequence in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which allows interested students the opportunity to pursue dual certification as a School Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA).

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 Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis

State restrictions may apply to some programs.