School Psychology, M.A. (restricted to Psychology, Ph.D. students—School concentration only)

The MA in School Psychology is an option available for students enrolled in the Psychology, Ph.D. (School concentration only) who choose to take the additional steps to obtain the master's degree concurrent with the doctoral program in School Psychology. Students seeking a terminal master's degree are not admitted to the program; instead, students admitted to the doctoral program are automatically admitted to the master's program, if they desire that degree.

The purpose of the School Psychology MA degree is to provide training for students enrolled in the PhD program in School Psychology to develop introductory skills and knowledge in historical and current foundations of school psychology practice and in evidence-based assessment and interventions related to students' learning and behavior in school and school-related settings.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will successfully administer, score, and write a report describing performance on an individual intelligence test.
• Students will successfully administer, score, and write a report describing performance on tests of academic achievement and social-emotional development.
• Students will successfully develop an individual behavior plan for a student in a school setting. 
• Students will successfully demonstrate an understanding of the history and current practices in the field of school psychology.
• Students will successfully demonstrate an understanding of basic statistical techniques, including analysis of variance and correlation/regression approaches.
• Students will apply their appreciation of cultural, racial, and gender differences, similarities, and contributions to professional practice and research issues.

Admissions

Students who enter the program with only a bachelor's degree must complete all program and Graduate School requirements for the completion of the Master of Arts degree. Information on The Graduate School requirements may be found at http://www.gradschool.sc.edu/, where the Graduate Studies Bulletin can be found online. Students are encouraged to consult the bulletin for their year of entry and to maintain up-to-date information about all university and program requirements.

Applicants whose native language is not English must: 

1. Submit a satisfactory score on an English proficiency test. 

2. Take a diagnostic test in English when they arrive at the university.