School Psychology Graduate Programs in California

<h2 id="section---UniversityOfCaliforniaRiverside">University of California, Riverside</h2><p>The doctoral program in school psychology at the University of California, Riverside requires a minimum of 60 units and takes five years to complete on a full-time basis. The curriculum includes courses in educational research, child behavior therapy, behavior intervention, behavior analysis, cognitive development, autism spectrum disorders, developmental psychopathology, and social psychology. </p><h2 id="section---CaliforniaStateUniversityLongBeach">California State University, Long Beach</h2><p>California State University, Long Beach offers an Education Specialist degree in school psychology that requires 60 units of coursework, 450 hours of practicum experience, and a full-time internship; students can finish the program in three years. The program follows an ecological theoretical model and includes courses in educational statistics, psychoeducational assessment, school crisis response, counseling and mental health, collaborative consultation, and developmental risk. </p><h2 id="section---HumboldtStateUniversity">Humboldt State University</h2><p>Humboldt State University's graduate program in school psychology requires 85 units that can be completed in three years. In addition to a master's degree, graduates of the program also earn credentials to work as a school psychologist in California; the coursework covers topics on educational foundations, counseling techniques, cognitive assessment, developmental psychopathology, cross-cultural counseling, student assessment, and research methods. </p><h2 id="section---SanDiegoStateUniversity">San Diego State University</h2><p>The Education Specialist degree in school psychology at San Diego State University is a four-year program that allows students to earn a master's degree in counseling with a concentration in school psychology after two years in addition to school psychology credentials after three years. The curriculum consists of three years of coursework and practicums as well as a one-year, full-time internship; courses include cross-cultural counseling, counseling intervention, crisis prevention and intervention, cognitive assessment, and ethics and law. </p><h2 id="section---CaliforniaBaptistUniversity">California Baptist University</h2><p>California Baptist University offers a 61-unit Master of Science in School Psychology program that students can complete in eight semesters; in addition to a master's degree, graduates of the program are also eligible for a Pupil Personnel Services credential in school psychology. The curriculum includes courses in counseling techniques, advanced psychopathology, crisis response, behavior intervention, and educational assessment. </p><h2 id="section---NationalUniversity">National University</h2><p>National University's Master of Science in School Psychology program requires 90 quarter units of graduate work as well as 450 hours of practicum experience and an internship; graduates are granted a recommendation for a Pupil Personnel Services school psychology credential. Students can expect to take courses in developmental psychopathology, counseling theories and methods, cognitive and social/emotional assessment, behavior analysis, curriculum interventions, and crisis response and intervention. Classes are offered online as well as on-campus in the evenings and on weekends. </p><h2 id="section---BrandmanUniversity">Brandman University</h2><p>Brandman University's graduate program in school psychology grants an Education Specialist degree as well as a master's degree in educational psychology; the program features optional concentration areas in autism, applied behavior analysis, and California teacher of English language learners. The curriculum consists of 72 credits of coursework, with an additional 12-18 credits of elective courses if a student opts to complete a specialty area. Core courses include advanced counseling, group leadership, supervision and mentoring, cultural and community counseling issues, ethics, and learning theory. </p><h2 id="section---LoyolaMarymountUniversity">Loyola Marymount University</h2><p>Loyola Marymount University offers a three-year graduate program that grants an Education Specialist degree in school psychology and a master's degree in educational psychology; graduates will also be eligible for national certification as a school psychologist. The 63-unit curriculum includes courses in advanced counseling, group counseling, student diversity, intervention for cognitive and learning problems, violence prevention, crisis intervention, and treatment of emotional and behavioral disorders. </p><h2 id="section---ChapmanUniversity">Chapman University</h2><p>Chapman University's Ed.S. program in school psychology requires 69 units of coursework, 600 hours of practicum experience, and a 1,200-hour internship; students can complete the program in three years of full-time study or four years on a part-time basis. Aside from earning a master's degree in educational psychology and a Pupil Personnel Services credential, graduates can also apply for the university's Ph.D. program in education with a school counseling emphasis or take additional coursework to qualify for licensure as a clinical counselor. </p><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th>School Name </th><th>Programs Offered </th><th>Average Graduate Tuition (2018-2019)*</th></tr> <tr><td>University of California, Berkeley </td><td>Ph.D. in School Psychology </td><td>$11,442 in-state, $26,544 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>University of California, Riverside </td><td>Ph.D. in School Psychology </td><td>$11,442 in-state, $26,544 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>California State University, Long Beach </td><td>Ed.S. in School Psychology </td><td>$7,176 in-state, $16,680 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>Humboldt State University </td><td>M.A. in School Psychology </td><td>$7,176 in-state, $16,680 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>San Diego State University </td><td>Ed.S. in School Psychology </td><td>$7,176 in-state, $16,680 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>California Baptist University </td><td>M.S. in School Psychology </td><td>$13,420</td></tr> <tr><td>National University </td><td>M.S. in School Psychology </td><td>$15,480</td></tr> <tr><td>Brandman University </td><td>Ed.S. in School Psychology </td><td>$11,700</td></tr> <tr><td>Loyola Marymount University </td><td>Ed.S. in School Psychology </td><td>$17,822</td></tr> <tr><td>Chapman University </td><td>Ed.S. in School Psychology </td><td>$31,168</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *NCES College Navigator</i> </p><p>A graduate degree in school psychology prepares students to work as practicing school psychologists, researchers, and educators. Several programs offer dual graduate degrees as well as eligibility for professional credentials and licensure.</p>