Program of Study for the Master of Arts/Specialist in School Psychology

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Graduate School ; official general GRE exam scores, unless waived; completion of approved courses in General Psychology, Research Methods, and Statistics, or demonstrated competence in these areas; submission of a questionnaire, which addresses the applicant’s rationale and preparation for pursuing graduate training in School Psychology. Applicants who make the first cut based on their questionnaire, letters of recommendation, GPA and, where applicable, GRE scores, will be invited for an interview.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the criteria for admission to the Graduate School . Meeting these criteria does not guarantee admission.

Candidates will be subject to criminal background checks (CBCs) prior to participation in required training experiences in the public schools. Continued enrollment in the program requires that CBCs reveal no criminal offenses that would preclude employment in the public schools of North Carolina.

Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility: The standardized exam (GRE) may be waived for applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Location: On campus

Additional Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility Information

Standardized exam (GRE, GMAT, MAT) waiver eligibility for graduate degree programs at Appalachian State varies by program, but requires that applicants hold a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in their last earned bachelor’s degree or 3.3 or higher in an earned graduate degree. No exam waiver is automatic but will require review and approval by the program and by the Graduate School upon submission of a complete application. An approved waiver request does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A denied waiver request does not mean that a candidate is denied admission to the program, only that a standardized exam score is needed to more fully evaluate the application.  More complete information about standardized exam waivers can be found in the Admissions Requirements section of this Bulletin .

Course Requirements for the Master of Arts and Specialist in School Psychology

Other Requirements for the MA/SSP in School Psychology

• Thesis: Not required
• Proficiency: Statistics proficiency met by completion of PSY 5020 
• Candidacy: Required; see the program director for specific timeline and requirements for admission to candidacy
• Comprehensive: Each candidate will earn a score on the Praxis Series School Psychologist Examination that equals or exceeds the score required for licensure, by the NC Department of Public Instruction, as a School Psychologist
• Product of Learning: Not required