Ed.S. in School Psychology
The Ed.S. degree program in School Psychology has been designed specifically for training in school psychology and has been developed to meet all relevant national accreditation standards. The Ed.S. program is fully approved by the National Association of School Psychologists and the Florida Department of Education. Students who complete the School Psychology Training Program at USF automatically meet the academic and field training requirements for certification in Florida as a school psychologist as well as for certification as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP).
This program is committed to training professionals who have expertise in the depth and diversity of both psychology and education. This training is accomplished within a scientist-practitioner model that emphasizes comprehensive school psychological services using a social and cognitive behavioral learning theory orientation that recognizes the impact of children鈥檚 individual differences and the importance of multicultural awareness and skills. Graduates of the Ed.S. program typically move to positions of employment as school psychologists.
The program includes a full-year, full-time internship and a thesis. A Master of Arts (MA) degree is earned by most students at the end of the first year of their Ed.S. program. However, the master鈥檚 program is not considered a terminal degree and is not sufficient for state of Florida certification in school psychology. The Ed.S. in School Psychology is an integrated program that prepares school psychologists to practice in schools and other educational settings. Graduates of the program at the Ed.S. level and beyond are eligible for provisional certification as school psychologists in the state of Florida.
Accreditation: The School Psychology Program is accredited by CAEP at both the Ed.S. and Ph.D. levels, and is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) at those same levels. Thus, our programs meet NASP's training criteria for the National School Psychology Certification System. The School Psychology Program is also accredited by the APA at the Ph.D. level.
What you will learn
Students develop advanced skills in assessment, intervention, consultation, and data-based decision making to support children鈥檚 academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. The program emphasizes ethical practice, collaborative problem solving, and the ability to work effectively with teachers, families, and multidisciplinary teams. Coursework and supervised field experiences help students build strong competencies aligned with professional school psychology standards.
Career opportunities
Graduates of the Ed.S. in School Psychology are prepared for roles such as:
- School Psychologist in PK鈥�12 public or private schools
- Behavioral and Academic Intervention Specialist
- District-level Student Services or Exceptional Student Education (ESE) support roles
- Educational Consultant
- Positions in early intervention programs or youth-serving agencies
- Roles in community mental health settings that collaborate with schools
Admission Requirements
If you are interested in applying to both the School Psychology Ph.D. and Ed.S. programs, you do not need to submit two separate USF admissions applications. Please indicate your interest in applying for both programs in your statement of professional goals. The statement of goals should be approximately 2-3 pages, single-spaced, and indicate why you are interested in school psychology, why USF in particular, your research/practice interests, and a paragraph to describe the role of a school psychologist as a system change agent. If you are selected for an interview, you will have the opportunity to discuss with faculty members which program would be most beneficial for you. Please note, the School Psychology Ph.D. and Ed.S programs do NOT require (1) a Master鈥檚 degree or (2) GRE scores for admission. We DO require a personal statement aligned to our training model, three letters of recommendation, and a resume.
Program History
The USF School Psychology Program is more than 40 years old and has approximately 55 full-time graduate students in residence. Earning more than $50 million in Federal and State grants since 1990, the program includes a faculty team of seven school psychologists as well as an "extended" faculty that includes affiliated, emeritus, and contributing faculty as well as school district partners.
USF's School Psychology Program has strong ties with school districts in the four counties surrounding the USF area (Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Hillsborough), and our students participate in practicum and internship placements in each. The School Psychology Program also administers the , a nationally recognized research and training center that provides technical assistance to school districts and other service delivery leaders throughout the U.S., and the , a national research and technical assistance center for supporting school districts with preventative mental health services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master鈥檚 degree to apply?
No. Typically students in both the Ed.S. and Ph.D. program earn their Master鈥檚 degree after their first year in the program. Please note, a Master鈥檚 degree alone is not sufficient to practice as a school psychologist.
Is USF's School Psychology program offered online?
No. This program is only offered face-to-face on USF's Tampa campus.
Can the program be completed part-time?
We currently only accept full time students. If a part time option is desired, please contact the coordinator of admissions, Dr. Nathaniel von der Embse.
How long does the program take to complete?
The program takes approximately three years for Ed.S. students and five years for Ph.D. students (inclusive of an internship year).
What time of day are classes offered?
Most of the core school psychology courses will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. during the school week (Monday-Friday). Contributing courses (theory, statistics) typically take place in the evenings.
Does the program help students become a licensed school psychologist?
All graduates of the program, at either the Ed.S. or Ph.D. level, are eligible for state of Florida certification as a school psychologist. Learn more about the requirements for this certification on the
Is financial assistance available to students enrolled in this program?
Currently, all students enrolled in USF's School Psychology Program who are in good standing receive financial support from the university. Financial assistance in our program typically includes a 20-hour graduate assistantship, health insurance, and a tuition waiver.
Does the program only admit for Fall term?
Yes, we typically accept between 10-14 students in the Fall cohort only. Visit the to learn more about application deadlines.
What do I need for my application?
Please note that GRE scores and a writing sample are NOT required. Your application SHOULD include three letters of recommendation and a statement of goals that is approximately 2-3 pages, single-spaced, and indicate why you are interested in school psychology, why USF in particular, your research/practice interests, and a paragraph to describe the role of a school psychologist as a system change agent. You will also be required to upload a copy of your undergraduate transcripts and a CV/resume.
Are there pre-requisites or undergraduate courses required for admission?
No, however having coursework in psychology, education, special education, research design, and basic statistics, as well as tests and measurements, is helpful.