School Psychology: Masters of Arts in Education (MAE) with Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential

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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 Outcomes

Coursework for the Alliant International University’s Hufstedler School of Education : PPS Credential Program in School Psychology assures that each candidate has knowledge and displays leadership in the following areas :

Professional Skills – PPS Credential School Psychology students are trained to administer, score, and interpret psycho-educational assessment and intervention techniques/modalities. PPS Credential School Psychology students master the application of these psycho-educational assessment and intervention modalities within their 450 hour coursework practicum and subsequent 1200 hour internship.
Professional Roles – PPS Credential School Psychology students gain invaluable experience through the apprenticeship model on how to engage in the diverse roles associated with being a school psychologist within a school district.
Applied Research – PPS Credential students learn how to engage in program development and evaluation as well as being a catalyst for educational action research endeavors.
Professional Concepts – PPS Credential School Psychology students are exposed to foundations coursework in applied educational psychology, special education laws, ethical standards and behavior, and with ethnically and culturally diverse populations.

Training Model

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). In addition, candidate must pass a standardized comprehensive examination (e.g. Praxis II) based on the academic coursework. Internships maybe paid or non-paid. Paid internships are dependent upon the budgets and policies associated with individual school districts.

Students who finish the master’s degree (43 semester units) program and the additional 17 units for the PPS Credential in School Psychology, who pass the Systemwide Comprehensive Examination, take the Praxis 2 examination, and pass the portfolio requirement can then submit their application for approval by the Campus Program Director to continue with the Advanced Standing PsyD program in Educational Psychology.

Training Model Specialized Requirements

In addition to HSOE General Graduate Admissions Requirements

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.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

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.

Concurrent Enrollment in PsyD in Educational Psychology Program

While working as interns in the third year, qualified students on some campuses will be able to enroll concurrently in the PsyD program. (PsyD classes meet in the evening and/or weekends to accommodate working professionals) Thus, students who enroll in the PsyD program while completing PPS Credential School Psychology internships will be completing the last year of the credential program simultaneously with the first year of the PsyD Educational Psychology program. Students can also enter the PsyD program after completing their PPS Credential in School Psychology at another institution.

Curriculum Plan

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 internship 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.