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School Psychology
Masters in School Psychology
Uniquely qualified to support both students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to educate, school psychologists are important members of virtually every learning environment. The Master of Science (MS) in School Psychology degree program provides learners with the basic training and building blocks to learn how to conduct assessments and interventions, as well as support student’s academic, behavioral and mental health.
Completion of the school psychology master’s degree alone is not intended to adequately prepare learners to be eligible to sit for a licensure or certification exam as a school psychologist. Learners who are interested in pursuing state or national certification as a school psychologist should also complete a Capella EdS in School Psychology or PsyD in School Psychology.*
* It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state. Review Professional Licensure Disclosures by state for this program here.
Classes start October 7
Apply today with no application fee.
At a glance
- Online and in-person
- GuidedPath
- 11 courses
- 20 max transfer credits
- 53 total credits
Reduce your tuition by $2,500
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master’s degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Explore school psychology courses
- This degree requires a total of 53 program credits
- You’ll need to complete eleven required courses
Show all descriptions
PSY6000
Foundations of Practice for School Psychology Learners
5 quarter credits
In this course, learners gain an understanding of the School Psychology specialization and the standards developed for the field by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Learners formulate a plan to meet program and state requirements for clinical training, including certification and licensure requirements; ethics and professional standards, including the NASP practice domains; and the specialization's course requirements and residency sequence. Learners also assess school psychology skills, identify networking opportunities, and develop a professional portfolio. For MS and EdS in School Psychology learners only. Must be taken during the learner's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
5 quarter credits
PSY5420
Multicultural Perspectives in Human Behavior
5 quarter credits
This course is an examination of substantive and theoretical issues concerning the cultural differences of individuals and groups and their influence on the practice of professional psychology. Learners explore the role of culture-specific programming, the needs and values of cultural subgroups, and approaches to providing psychological services to culturally diverse populations. Learners also critically analyze the interactions of multiple dimensions of diversity to better understand the ways in which individual differences contribute to professional psychological practice.
5 quarter credits
PSY7233
Psychological Assessments for School Psychologists 1
5 quarter credits
In this course, learners develop the skills needed to correctly administer, score, and interpret norm-referenced intelligence tests (verbal and non-verbal) while simultaneously considering various diagnostic issues present within multiculturally diverse school populations and reflecting the established standards of educational and psychological testing. Learners examine measurement and measurement tools, including instruments used to assess cognitive function and intelligence; synthesize norm-referenced assessments with observational assessments to develop recommendations for research-supported interventions; and create audience-appropriate psychological reports. For MS, EdS, and PsyD in School Psychology learners only. Test kits are required and are available for loan at [email protected]. Prerequisite(s): PSY7610. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
5 quarter credits
PSY-V6002
Response to Intervention and Functional Behavior Assessment
4 quarter credits
Learners in this residency gain skills and techniques related to Response to Intervention (RTI) introduced as an authority in the identification of specific learning disabilities in the Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). Learners build skills to implement the RTI framework in local and state education agencies. Learners also examine and practice skills related to the RTI components for screening students, monitoring student progress, providing evidence-based interventions, and identifying students with special learning needs in a collaborative approach. Learners practice identifying appropriate circumstances and steps for conducting a functional behavioral assessment (FBA), developing the behavior intervention plan (BIP) and identifying the individual components of an FBA and BIP, including reviewing standardized assessment measures and completing FBA and BIP forms. Learners gain skills in synthesizing and interpreting case study data, and integrate and summarize this data, orally and in writing, to provide important feedback to school personnel about a student's challenging behaviors. Prerequisite(s): PSY7234 and PSY-R6000. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.
What you'll learn
The Master of Science in School Psychology degree program is designed to provide learners with initial training in the profession of school psychology. The MS in School Psychology program is built on the graduate preparation standards for school psychologists and consists of an integrated, sequential program of study that includes didactic instruction and clinical training. The model for services by school psychologists is embedded throughout the curriculum. This program is designed to prepare learners for further training in the Education Specialist in School Psychology or Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology programs. Completion of the MS in School Psychology alone does not lead to licensure or certification as a school psychologist.
On successful completion of this degree program, you should be able to:
- Examine principles of research and evidence-based practices in school psychology
- Analyze student, group and systems-level data to develop, monitor and evaluate effective interventions, services and programs
- Apply the principles for professional ethics, federal and state legislation, and professional standards to the practice of school psychology
- Integrate and prioritize respect for diversity, equitable outcomes, physical and psychology safety, and social justice
- Communicate effectively with sensitivity, understanding, respect and professionalism in all interactions
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career opportunities.
How much does the MS in School Psychology cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$27,030
NO TRANSFER CREDITS
$510 per credit, $160 resource kit fee, 53 total quarter credits, 20 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, effective July 8, 2024, and is subject to change. Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances, such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. This estimate does not include the cost of books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer. New or recently revised program tuition estimates are based on comparable programs.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include travel expenses and practicum costs. You will be charged $50-$200 each quarter or billing session for your resource kit, which includes required books, software and other course materials. Click here to review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education. Learn more about financing your education.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
Perhaps your career path and interests are leading you toward preparing to pursue for state or national certification as a school psychologist. Capella’s MS in School Psychology paired with the EdS in School Psychology may be a pathway for you.
To help you complete the programs, they are both offered in our GuidedPath learning structure, a more structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
- Admissions into the MS in School Psychology program does not guarantee admissions to the EdS in School Psychology program
$36,720 - $57,120*
Max transfer credits – Average transfer credits
$510 per credit
View EdS in School Psychology full program details »
*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing, and it does not include fees (including travel expenses for residencies, practicum, and resource kit fees, etc., are not included in the estimate). Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. If transfer credits are allowed in this offering, the prices above show what you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits and the price if you brought in the maximum allowed transfer credits.
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.
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Preparing for licensure
Completion of Capella's MS in School Psychology program alone is not intended to adequately prepare learners to be eligible for licensure or certification as a school psychologist. MS in Psychology learners who are interested in pursuing state or national certification as a school psychologist should also complete a Capella EdS in School Psychology or PsyD in School Psychology.
It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state. Review Professional Licensure Disclosures by state for this program.
What are the MS in School Psychology admission requirements?
Admission requirements
Applicants to the MS in School Psychology program must provide the following information for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor's transcripts, with a grade point average of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Official transcripts from all previous educational institutions, including any graduate or professional school coursework
- A goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation completed by professionals who can assess your aptitude for graduate education in school psychology
- Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- Admission application – no application fee required
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
Articles and resources
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Helping Professions Guide
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Financing Guide
We can help you understand education financing, review your options, and explore ways to save on your degree.
What can you do with an MS in School Psychology degree?
Your education can help you reach your personal and professional goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with an MS in School Psychology.
Related job titles to explore*
- Team director
Employment settings to explore
- Educational support services
- Child care services
- Child and youth services
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.