School Psychology: Masters with PPS

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With increasing frequency, schools must find ways to help students learn while coping with a broad array of challenges that include language and cultural barriers; exposure to violence, victimization, or substance abuse; attention deficit, and other neurological/ behavioral disorders.

The master’s degree program in school psychology prepares students to gain the PPS (Pupil Personnel Services) credential that allows them to practice in California’s schools.

The master’s degree and credential programs in school psychology will be of interest to recent college graduates with bachelor’s degrees, current teachers, school personnel and people in other related fields.

Program Pacing and Format

The program can be completed by those who work at other jobs during the week as long as students allow for approximately six to eight “school-time hours” (K-12) per week to complete coursework/practicum assignments. To complete the credential in the third year, students will need to complete 1200 hours of a paid internship or 1200 hours of an unpaid field-placement (or combination of both) at a public school district.

During the two-year master’s degree program, students take evening classes and engage in 450 hours of a coursework practicum.

Practicum Requirements

Students must meet the HSOE General Graduate Admissions Requirements and the MA with PPS Entrance Requirements prior to entering the program. Prior to the start of the student’s coursework practicum, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) sets some additional requirements that somewhat overlap the earlier admissions requirements. The CCTC requires that students:

pass a TB test,
receive a Certificate of Clearance from CCTC,
complete a FBI screening, and
send official transcripts from all of the colleges and universities that they have attended to the Alliant registrar.

Upon completion of 43 semester units (including 450 coursework practicum hours), candidates will qualify for the master’s degree in School Psychology.

PPS Credential: Enabling You to Practice in California Schools

Students who are seeking the PPS Credential in School Psychology must complete an additional 17 units (7 units of coursework and practicum, plus 10 units of a 1200 hour internship), and must also pass a standardized comprehensive examination (e.g. Praxis II) based on the academic coursework* (*starting with the entering class in the fall of 2010. Paid internships are dependent on the budgets and policies of individual school districts.)

Fast Track to Doctorate: Concurrent Enrollment in PsyD in Educational Psychology Program

While working as interns in the third year, qualified students will be able to enroll concurrently in the PsyD program. (PsyD classes meet in the evenings to accommodate working professionals.) Thus, students who enroll in the PsyD program while completing internships will be completing the last year of the credential program simultaneously with the first year of the PsyD program. This reduces the time-to-degree from six to five years.

Students can also enter the PsyD program after completing their PPS Credential in School Psychology at another institution.

Students who finish the master’s degree (43 semester units) program and the additional 17 semester units for the PPS School Psychology Credential, who pass a standardized Comprehensive Examination* (e.g. Praxis II) and who are qualified to pursue the doctorate (PsyD), will then enter the Advanced Standing PsyD degree program.

The PsyD in Educational Psychology program is currently enrolling students and is also described in this online catalog.

MA in School Psychology, 3-Year Program

Shared MA School Psychology & PsyD Educational Psychology Curriculum

The following coursework applies to both the 3-year MA with PPS program and first 3 years of the 5-year PsyD in Educational Psychology program.

MA with PPS, Year 1, Semester 1

MA with PPS, Year 1, Intersession 1

MA with PPS, Year 1, Semester 2

MA with PPS, Year 1, Semester 3

MA with PPS, Year 2, Semester 4

Coursework practicum of 6 to 8 hours per week, for 38 weeks of the year (228 to 304 hours).

MA with PPS, Year 2, Intersession 2

PPS 6021 - Collaborative Consultation /Data Driven Instruction

MA with PPS, Year 2, Semester 5

MA with PPS, Year 2, Semester 6

This semester’s coursework is directed toward the PPS Credential.

MA with PPS, Year 3

MA and PPS Credential Completion

Students should apply for the PPS Credential after completion of the MA (43 units) and an additional 17 units of coursework, Practicum and Internship. The PPS credential requires a total of 60 units.

Advanced Standing for Five-Year PsyD Program

During the third year of the MA/PPS program, candidates who are accepted into the PsyD program are simultaneously completing the PPS credential intership and continuing to take courses in the Advanced Standing PsyD program.

All Advanced Standing courses are offered in “executive format” and there is no required sequence to the classes (except for EDP 8001/8002, EDP 9931/9932 and EDP 9901/9902/9903). Candidates are accepted to the Advanced Standing PsyD program only in the fall tri-semester. If candidates complete the seven units offered each Fall and Spring tri-semester, and the four units offered during the first and second summer tri-semester, they can complete the required 50 units within three years. However, because in Years 3 and 4, PsyD courses are offered every other year, candidates who choose to take fewer units each tri-semester will consult with their advisor to ensure completing all courses within the five-year limit. The additional 10 unit doctoral level internship is currently optional.