School Psychology Frequently Asked Questions
PROGRAM INFORMATION
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Q. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM?
A. A full-time student can complete the program in three years, including summer sessions. The third year is a full-time internship which is usually paid.
Q. CAN I CONTINUE TO WORK FULL-TIME WHILE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM?
A. The graduate program in school psychology enrolls students on a full-time basis only. As full-time students, they complete four courses during Fall semester and four courses during Spring semester of the first year, with each course meeting for two and a half hours, once per week. Most courses are held from 4:20-6:50 pm or 7:00-9:30 pm. Students are also required to take two five-week courses during the summer session between the first and second year of the program. While some students may continue to work during their first year of course work, students do not work full-time. Typically, students are able to work 20 hours per week and still complete program requirements. During their second year, concurrent with on-campus coursework, students participate in a one to two day per week practicum experience in a local school system under the direct supervision of a certified school psychologist. Most students find it difficult to work outside of the program due to the time requirements of the practicum experience in addition to coursework. Third year students are enrolled in a full-time internship and attend a biweekly seminar on campus as well.
Q. IS IT POSSIBLE TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM ON A PART-TIME BASIS?
A. Students are expected to complete the requirements for the CAS in three years. All students complete a Program of Studies with their advisor as they begin the program. The core courses must be completed in a prescribed sequence, beginning with an overview of the profession, and with coursework in human development and exceptionalities. Only after this foundation has been established, do students begin the assessment and intervention sequences. During their second year, concurrent with on-campus coursework, students participate in a one-day per week practicum experience in a local school system under the direct supervision of a certified school psychologist. Students are required to complete all courses prior to beginning their internship. Third year students are enrolled in a full-time internship and attend a biweekly seminar on campus as well.
Full-time students complete four courses during Fall semester and four courses during Spring semester of the first year, with each course meeting for two and a half hours, once per week. Most courses are held from 4:20-6:50 pm or 7:00-9:30 pm. Students are also required to take two five-week courses during the summer session between the first and second year of the program.
While students may not begin the program on a part-time basis, the faculty is aware that, in unusual circumstances, financial, family, or other constraints prevent them from continuing full-time study.
In order to ensure that students can fully benefit from their graduate education, students completing the program on a part-time basis must take two courses per semester. They must also take at least one course during two summers and must complete both Practica over two consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring of the same academic year), during the year immediately prior to beginning the internship. They must adhere to all internship guidelines as stated in the Internship Handbook. The Internship may be completed on a part-time basis over the course of two consecutive years. Part-time students may take more than two courses per semester.
Q. CAN I APPLY FOR THE CAS BY ITSELF IF I ALREADY HAVE A MASTERS DEGREE IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY?
A. For candidates already possessing a master’s degree in School Psychology, courses from a previous degree in School Psychology must be required courses in the current C.A.S. program in order to be accepted toward fulfilling requirements for the C.A.S. Courses that have been taken for the previous M.A. will be reviewed for content and currency by the program director. Additionally students must earn a minimum of 30 units in the School Psychology program to graduate with the CAS, as well as complete the culminating internship. Other requirements will be determined on an individual basis.
Q. CAN I APPLY FOR THE CAS BY ITSELF? WHAT IF I HAVE A MASTERS IN A FIELD OTHER THAN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY?
A. Aside from students already possessing a master’s degree in School Psychology (as described above), you cannot receive either the Masters or the CAS by itself. Our program is a full 63-credit program which results in a Masters degree and also a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS), which is 30 credit hours beyond a Masters degree. Sometimes this is known as the “Specialist Level.” We do not admit students for just the CAS or just the Masters; all 63 credits must be taken. If you have a Masters or have completed coursework in School Psychology, some of the classes may be waived at the discretion of the program director, but you will still be required to complete the majority of the 63 credits. Classes that were used toward a past degree cannot be used toward completion of the MA/CAS.
Q. I HAVE A MASTERS IN A FIELD OTHER THAN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY, HOW WILL MY PREVIOUS CREDITS IN PSYCHOLOGY BE COUNTED?
A. Classes that were part of an earned degree cannot be used toward completion of the MA/CAS; therefore, although a few courses may be accepted in lieu of required courses, the student must complete 63 credit hours to earn the MA/CAS in school psychology. Although a student may have taken a course that has a similar title to those required in the school psychology program, our content is specific to children and adolescents in the school setting. The only exceptions are “basic” courses such as Advanced Research Design and Developmental Psychology. If a student has taken a course that she/he thinks fulfills a course requirement, a syllabus and course description will need to be submitted for approval by the director. If the course is approved, the student will be allowed to take an elective in its place, but the student must still complete 63 credit hours. Coursework that is outdated in the judgment of the director will need to be retaken.
Q. MAY I TAKE CLASSES BEFORE I AM ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM?
A. No specific school psychology courses requiring special permits may be taken unless the student has been accepted formally into the program. However, a few courses are required by the program that are more “general” in nature and do not usually require special permits. These courses may be taken, and upon admission, will be credited toward completion of the program. Prospective students take these courses at their own risk; taking them does not guarantee admission into the program. Examples of such courses are:
Developmental Psychology (611), Advanced Experimental Design (687), and various electives, such as a Family-Professional Collaboration (FMST) or Education Curriculum course.
However, please know that taking courses prior to official acceptance into the program will probably not expedite graduation date. This is because of the need to take particular courses in sequence, and the need to complete a two-semester practicum sequence prior to the internship. Taking courses before entry into the program will allow lighter loads during some regular semesters, and perhaps will allow fewer courses during the Summers.
Q. UPON GRADUATING FROM THE PROGRAM, WHAT CERTIFICATIONS WILL I BE ELIGIBLE FOR?
A. The program is designed to meet NASP training standards and is NASP approved, so most graduates opt to apply for national certification (NCSP). Graduates of the program are eligible for Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) certification as a school psychologist without further credentialing. In order to become certified in other states, you would need to have your graduate transcripts reviewed by that particular State Department of Education. As the program is currently designed, it should meet the requirements for most states.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Q. HOW DO I APPLY TO THE PROGRAM?
A. Application is made directly to the university. Applications can be obtained by calling the graduate school office at 410-704-2501 or can be printed off or completed online a http://grad.towson.edu/applyNow/default.asp. All materials (transcripts, application*, application fee, GRE scores**, letters of recommendation, letter of intent, and resumes) must be sent directly to the graduate school office. Once processed, they will be forwarded to the school psychology office. The program faculty will review all of the applications and decide which candidates will be interviewed for possible admission. All students will receive notification of a decision in the Spring, either in writing from the graduate school or from the school psychology office. Students are admitted into the program in the Fall semester only, and applications must be received in the graduate school office by January 15th in order to be considered for the following Fall.
Q. WHAT ADDRESS DO I MAIL MY APPLICATION MATERIALS TO?
A. Please send ALL application materials (transcripts, application*, application fee, GRE scores**, letters of recommendation, letter of intent, and resumes) to:
Graduate School
Towson University
8000 York Road
Towson, MD 21252
*If you do the application online, you do not have to send a paper copy
**Your GRE scores must be sent from ETS (the testing service that does the GREs). Student copies of scores are not accepted.
Q. I APPLIED TO THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM, WHEN WILL I HEAR IF I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED?
A. We review applications immediately after the deadline on January 15th. By the end of February, we invite 30-40 (of about 100) applicants to campus for a group and individual interview. Those interviews are typically scheduled during March. Our final decision is made around the beginning of April. We ultimately admit 14-16 students to the program each year.
Q. I’M NOT SURE WHETHER MY APPLICATION WILL BE COMPETITIVE. WHAT DOES THE “AVERAGE” APPLICATION PROFILE LOOK LIKE?
A. The "average" scores of the incoming class of Fall 2008 were as follows: GPA: 3.87, Verbal GRE: 460, and Analytic Writing GRE: 4.23.
Q. WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM GPA AND GRE SCORE REQUIREMENTS?
A. We require a minimum GPA of 3.2, a 400 Verbal GRE score, and a 4.5 on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE. An applicant with scores slightly lower may be accepted if the applicant has strengths in other areas.
Q. WHAT CAN I DO IF MY GPA IS LESS THAN 3.2?
A. If your GPA is <3.2- retake undergraduate classes or take graduate level classes to boost your GPA.
Q. WHO SHOULD WRITE MY LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS?
A. We prefer that at least one of your references be from a professor. Other qualified persons may include class advisors, job supervisors, thesis advisors, etc...
PREREQUISITES
Q. WHAT CLASSES CAN I SUBSTITUTE FOR THE REQUIRED PREREQUISITES?
A. Social Psychology- Nothing can be substituted for Social Psychology; this class provides a great deal of background information that students are expected to have when they enter the program.
Educational Psychology/Behavior Modification- You can take any class that addresses principals of operant learning and behavior modification. Some examples include: Behavior Management, Behavior Theory, Applied Behavior Analysis.
Behavioral Statistics- This must be a statistics course, preferably a statistics course designed for psychology and/or social sciences majors. Statistics courses taken through a math department might fulfill this, at the Program Director's discretion.
Abnormal Psychology- Another common course name that fulfills this requirement is "Psychopathology." To fulfill this requirement, a course must address the DSM-IV, clinical terms, depression, psychiatric disorders, etc.
Experimental Psychology- This should be a research course with a lab component. Experimental Design and Research Design courses also fulfill this requirement.
Developmental Psychology- Any developmental course dealing with child development or development across the lifespan will be accepted. Some of these include: Child Development, Adolescent Development, Human Development, and Development Across the Lifespan.
**If you are unsure whether a course would count for one of the requirements, email Colleen at cstove1@towson.edu. Please include a course description if possible.
Q. CAN I TAKE CLASSES AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO COVER MY PREREQUISITES FOR THE PROGRAM?
A. Yes, you can take classes at any university or college in order to complete your prerequisites required for acceptance into the program.
Q. WHAT IF I AM MISSING PREREQUISITES- WILL I STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN INTERVIEW AND BE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM?
A. If you are missing only one prerequisite, you will be given equal consideration for an interview as those applicants who have all prerequisites completed. If you are missing two or more, you may have less chance of getting an interview.
Q. WHAT IF I WILL BE TAKING ONE OR MORE PREREQUISITES DURING SPRING SEMESTER OF THE YEAR I AM APPLYING?
A. Please include this information in your letter of intent or in a separate note so that we are aware of this. If you plan to take one or more courses in the Spring, you will get credit for those prerequisites, contingent upon receiving a C or better in the course.
Q. IF I’M ACCEPTED, CAN I TAKE MY MISSING PREREQUISITES WHEN I START THE PROGRAM IN THE FALL?
A. You may take only one prerequisite in the Fall semester of your first year. You must complete all other prerequisites during the summer before starting the program.
THE GREs
Q. HOW DO I SIGN UP TO TAKE THE GRE? WHERE CAN I GET PRACTICE?
A. You can sign up to take the test and review sample questions/practice tests at www.gre.org
Q. WHEN DOES TOWSON NEED TO RECEIVE MY GRE SCORES?
A. We highly prefer that GRE scores are sent to the university by January 15th. If that is not possible, you must include in your letter of intent: when the test will be taken, and when we will be receiving the scores. We will review applications and possibly invite you for an interview if your other materials are strong AND contingent on acceptable GRE scores.
Q. I TOOK THE GRE YEARS AGO. WILL MY SCORES STILL BE ACCEPTED, OR DO I NEED TO RETAKE IT?
A. Your scores will be valid for five years. After that, you will need to retake the test.
Q. I HAVE A MASTERS/GRADUATE DEGREE ALREADY, BUT HAVE NOT TAKEN THE GRE’S. DO I NEED TO TAKE THEM?
A. If your Masters is in a related Psychology concentration (Clinical, Counseling, etc.) you do not need to take the GRE's. Students who already possess a Masters degree or higher in a related Psychology concentration will have their graduate GPAs considered in lieu of GRE. However, students with Masters in any other fields will still need to take the GRE.
Q. WHICH GRE TEST DO I TAKE? DO I NEED TO TAKE THE PSYCHOLOGY SUBJECT TEST?
A. You need to take the GRE General test. The General test includes a section of each of the following: verbal, math, and writing. We primarily look at your verbal and writing scores. You do not need to take the Psychology subject test.
Q. WILL YOU ACCEPT MY “STUDENT COPY” OF MY GRE SCORES, OR DO YOU NEED AN OFFICIAL COPY FROM ETS?
A. We need an official copy from ETS, the company that does the GREs. Unofficial or “student copies” are not accepted.
Q. WHAT IS TOWSON’S “INSTITUTION CODE” SO THAT I CAN GET MY GRE SCORES SENT FROM ETS.?
A. 5404
Q. I HAVE TAKEN ONE OR MORE OF THE PROGRAM OF STUDY REQUIRED COURSES. CAN I TRASNFER THOSE COURSES AND NOT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE THEM AT TOWSON?
A. All course transfers must be approved by the program director. In addition the course must:
--be from a regionally accredited university (Some online universities such as University of Phoenix are accredited; but some are not; some commercial online courses are posted to transcripts of accredited universities, but some are not. We need to see a transcript from an accredited university)
--be considered a graduate course at its home university
--be a graded course (we don't transfer S/U courses)
--not have been used in a conferred degree
--fit into the seven-year time period for completion of a master's degree (i.e., a student can transfer a course taken in 2003, but that means the program clock begins in 2003, and the student will have to have the degree finished by 2010, even if the student's Towson courses started in 2006, which would have led to a 2013 deadline)
And the student must:
--earn a B or better in the course
--supply an official transcript (not a grade report) that shows the course, date taken, and grade
--supply an official course description (from the web is OK)
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