HSH Home: Programs: School Psychology   

School Psychology    
Summary of School Psychology Program   
The UHCL School Psychology program is based on a collaborative problem-solving model of training whose focus is the psychoeducational needs of children. School psychological specialists are trained to assume the three major functions of Assessment, Intervention, and Consultation as part of a broader education-based model of service delivery and as members of a multidisciplinary team. Such a team includes various school personnel and the parent who work together in an attempt to accurately identify student needs, develop interventions, and implement strategies to facilitate the student's progress within the school environment. The major roles and functions of the school psychologist involve assessment for learning, behavioral, and emotional conditions; planning academic and behavioral interventions based on assessment data; engaging in individual and group counseling; developing and assisting in the implementation of behavior management plans; crisis intervention; consulting with parents, professionals, and school personnel regarding learning and behavioral difficulties; and conducting activities designed to address both primary and secondary prevention, including in-service training and participation on problem-solving teams/pre-referral committees.    

Accreditation and Licensing   
The UHCL School Psychology program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). As graduates of a NASP-approved program, and upon successful completion of the national examination in school psychology, students are eligible for the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential. As graduates of a NASP-approved program, students meet the training standards for the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), which is the license required for school psychology practitioners in the state of Texas. Students also meet the training standards for the Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) credential. Both the LSSP and LPA credentials require passing national and state examinations and are issued by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.    

Curriculum   
The UHCL School Psychology program consists of three years of study and includes coursework that leads to the development of competencies in the 11 NASP Domains of practice. These domains cover the following general areas: Psychological (such as developmental psychology, biological basis of behavior, learning principles, social and cultural diversity, research and statistics, and psychopathology); Educational (such as research-based instructional techniques, ,specialized programming for exceptional children, school organization, and program evaluation); Assessment and Data-based Decision-Making (such as intellectual, personality, and behavioral assessment; curriculum-based measurement), Intervention (such as individual and group counseling, behavior management), Consultation (such as home/school collaboration, primary and secondary prevention, school, and Professional School Psychology (such as professional practice and ethics, and practicum). The program culminates with the Internship which consists of 1200 hours of experience working within a public school district. UHCL maintains internship agreements with over 15 school districts in the Houston area and, on some occasions, internships have been arranged with out-of-state school districts. Interns earn a stipend during this year, are supervised by field-based school psychologists, and must complete minimum standards which ensure that the intern is able to integrate knowledge and skills in providing the broad range of school psychological services.    

Application to the Program   
The program accepts applications once each year; the application deadline is January 25. Approximately 12 to 14 students are accepted yearly, which is about one-half to one-third of applicants. Applications require an application form; official transcripts; three letters of recommendation; an essay outlining the applicant's professional goals; a curriculum vitae; and recent GRE scores. Applicants being considered for admission also undergo an interview process with the primary school psychology faculty.    

Career Outlook   
The field of School Psychology has a very positive career outlook. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, "graduates of master's degree programs in school psychology should have the best job prospects as schools are expected to increase student counseling and mental health services." Within Texas, LSSPs can be hired in several occupational titles such as specialist in school psychology, educational diagnostician, behavior specialist, special education counselor, or at-risk counselor. Thus, all graduates are able to obtain employment.    

Download the Brochure   

http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/HSH/HOME/PROGRAMS/S_PSYC/TAB275365302832302842302850302866303869/SP_BROCHURE.PDF    

Psychological Services Clinic   
Psychological Services Clinic    

The short URL for this program is: http://hsh.uhcl.edu/schoolpsychology

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