The Master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in school psychology is a 30 hour degree program. Coursework is designed to prepare students to enter either a Specialist or Doctoral degree program. To be licensed as a school psychologist a Master's degree (M.S.) and Specialist in Education degree (Ed.S.) in school psychology is required.

Students who complete the Master's degree in school psychology are eligible to pursue the Specialist in Education degree (Ed.S.) at FHSU.

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Entrance Requirements
The entrance requirements for the School Psychology Program at FHSU are quite rigorous in that each student is screened on the basis of subjective as well as objective data. In order to evaluate the personal characteristics of each potential student, two recommendations in addition to a possible informal interview are required. The student’s academic competencies are reviewed before admission, and a student is recommended to have a score of 500 verbal and 500 quantitative on the Graduate Record Examination. Students are required to have a basic core background in psychology before they are admitted to the program in addition to having a 3.0 grade point average in psychology. All students are screened by the entire psychology faculty in that the graduate training of a school psychologist is considered to be a group endeavor on the part of the Psychology Department Graduate Faculty.

Program For Education Specialist Degree With A Major In School Psychology

The Specialist degree at Fort Hays State University requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework beyond the Master’s degree. Candidates must complete the Master’s degree requirements for the school psychology program before being admitted to the Specialist degree program with a major in school psychology.

Aims of the Specialist Degree Program

The Specialist degree program with a major in school psychology offers students the opportunity for specialization. The program is intended for individuals preparing for positions that demand a higher level of preparation than that typically offered at the Master’s degree level. It enables students to expand their knowledge, techniques, and skills. The specific objectives in the Specialist in Education program are to help the student to:

1. Gain in depth knowledge in an area of specialization.
2. Comprehend the interrelations between the area of concentration and related fields.
3. Develop practical competency in the specialty.

Admission to the Specialist Degree Program

Each candidate for the Specialist degree program with a major in school psychology must apply for admission to the Graduate School. The candidate must comply with the regulations of the Department of Psychology at Fort Hays State University, which include:

1. That the candidate hold a Master’s degree in school psychology from an accredited institution. An individual who has a Master’s degree in another discipline may be admitted conditionally to the Specialist degree program with a major in school psychology. Any coursework that the student has not completed but that is required for the Master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in School psychology at Fort Hays State University must be taken prior to the student being formally admitted to
the Specialist degree program.

2. That the student present a minimum of two recommendations: one from the Master’s degree advisor, or from a past professor, and one from another individual qualified to address the student’s academic or personal qualities.

Ed.S. Program in School Psychology Requirements