School psychological services
MA and specialist certificate
Become certified to practice school psychology
The MA and specialist certificate (SC) in education & school psychological services program is designed for future practicing school psychologists. Upon completion of the program, you’ll be eligible to receive your state and national school psychologist credential to work with students, teachers, families, and other school staff to help help all students succeed—academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.
Our program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
Note: We no longer require GRE test scores for application and admission to the program.
Watch a replay of a recent info session
Check out this video replay or these slides from our recent info session at the Psychology Grad School Virtual Fair on October 6, 2022.
Why study school psychology at the U?
- Challenging, cutting edge preparation with a focus on justice and equity
- 100% of our students are employed in the field upon graduation*
- Innovative faculty and students who are state and national leaders
- Faculty commitment to and expertise in diversity, educational equity, student mental health, and social justice
- Over $10 million in research and graduate training grants
- Compassionate, nimble in responding to COVID-19
- Committed to advancing antiracism
*Percentages of students since 2012
Careers
As a specialist-level school psychologist, you’ll work in public and private schools, preschools, and state departments of education. Recently, our students have found internship placements with Minneapolis Public Schools, Mahtomedi Public Schools, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, North Suburban Special Education District (IL), and Summit School District (CO).
School psychologists: in-demand and well-compensated
- 100% of our students are fully-funded and employed upon graduation*
- Expected employment growth: 11% between 2012 and 2022**
- Mean 9-month salary (full-time, school-based practitioner): $64,000-$71,000***
- Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data
*Percentages of students since 2012
**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
***National Association of School Psychologists
Coursework
School psychology MA & Specialist Certificate (S.C) in Education & School Psychological Services students complete two years of coursework followed by a year-long internship. All students are prepared to be scientist-practitioners through courses and fieldwork emphasizing research-based practices, coursework in research methods and statistics, and completion of a supervised research project.
- See the program handbook for a full description of research expectations and thesis requirements.
- Visit the MA & SC course catalog for full course listings and descriptions.
Tuition
Visit the College of Education and Human Development's Finance and Funding page for information on tuition.
Funding
FAQ
Still have questions? Review our frequently asked questions or program handbook.
An impressive amount of research has been produced out of the University of Minnesota school psychology program, and it has led to important conversations and positive outcomes.
Rachel Knowles, MA '18
School psychologist
Read more about Rachel's experience.
Faculty
Lisa Aguilar Assistant professor
aguilarl@umn.edu
- Indigenous youth, families, and communities
- Decolonizing school psychology
- Indigenizing educational spaces
Faith Miller Associate professor
fgmiller@umn.edu | Lab
- Multi-tiered systems of support for social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties (SEBD)
- Evidence-based assessment and intervention for SEBD
- Data-based decision making
Kirsten Newell Assistant professor
kwnewell@umn.edu
- Academic assessment of dual-language learners
- Biliteracy assessment and intervention
- Educators' use of data within multi-tiered systems of support
Amanda L. Sullivan Birkmaier Education Leadership Professor, program coordinator
asulliva@umn.edu| Lab
- Education and health disparities affecting individuals with and at-risk for special needs
- Characteristics and outcomes of children and adolescents with disabilities
- School psychological and special education services for diverse learners
Instructors and supervisors
Annie Hansen-BurkeSenior lecturer
hans1498@umn.edu
Jessie KemberTeaching assistant professor, director of clinical training
kembe007@umn.edu
Mollie WeeksLecturer
linkx082@umn.edu
Sarah Wollersheim SherveyLecturer
woll0096@umn.edu
- Mental health and well-being of students and the people who care for them (parents, teachers)
- Social emotional learning programs
- Teacher well-being, PBIS, and behavior interventions in the schools