School Psychology

SSP-School Psychology   (SSP-SCPY)

The School Psychology program at Texas A&M University-Commerce prepares students for attainment of a Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) degree. The current specialist degree program is consistent with the requirements published by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists for the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP). Upon completion of the 66 hour degree program, graduates are eligible for licensure in the state of Texas as a LSSP and certification at the national level as a NCSP. The 66 hour degree program includes 6 hours of practicum and 6 hours of internship. The remaining 54 academic course hours are in the content areas of psychological foundations, research and statistics, educational foundations, assessment, intervention, and professional and legal issues.

Departmental Website

Required Documents for Admission

Admission Consideration Requirements for All Students

• Apply Texas Application
• Application fee:  $50 domestic student 
• All official transcripts - Bachelor's degree, including all transcripts used towards bachelor's degree.  Any master's degree transcript or transcripts with graduate coursework (if applicable).
• 3 letters of recommendation 
  • Letters should be completed by individuals who can speak on your academic abilities and/or your professionally relevant skills.
• Resume(Vita)

• Statement of Goals:  1-2 pages, up to 500 words.  
  Address career objectives and how the master's degree
  will help you meet those goals.

• Interview
• Official General Test GRE Scores

Additional Admission Consideration Requirements for International Students Only

• Application fee, $75.00, US dollars (this may be paid online when you apply)
• Bank Statement from the sponsor, must reflect a balance of at least $26,024.82 USD (must be less than 1 year old)
• Official sponsor statement

• Official transcripts (with a copy of the provisional certificate or diploma)
  For more information on official transcripts, please click here and read FAQ question:  What transcripts do I submit for my admission?
  

• English Proficiency:

  • Official TOEFL report (IBT at least 79, or CBT at least 213, or PBT at least 550), scores must be less than 2 years old, or
  • Official IELTS report (at least overall 6.00 band), scores must be less than 2 years old, or
  • Official PTE report (at least overall 53 or higher), scores must be less than 2 years old,
  • Official Duolingo report (at least overall 105 or higher), scores must be less than 2 years old, or
  • Completion (all years) of a bachelor's degree or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited university.

Application Packet Submission Deadline:

The Specialist in School Psychology has admission consideration for only one cohort per year.  The cohort starts in the Fall semester.

FALL semester: 

• Priority admission consideration deadline:  February 1
• The application and all required admission documents must be submitted by the deadline.
• Interviews by invitation only  
• Final admission consideration deadline: May 1   
• The application and all required admission documents must be submitted by the deadline.
• Interviews by invitation only  

Statement of Goals Requirements: 

Applicants are required to submit one document with a 500 word or less answer to each of the following questions.  The whole document should be 1-2 pages long.

• Please provide an autobiographical statement. (There is not a correct format for this question. Answer as if someone had asked you to tell them something about yourself. This is an opportunity for you to provide the program with some information about yourself.)
• Describe your training and experience in working with diverse populations.  Your discussion should describe the way in which diversity issues influence your interactions in the world.
• Describe your research experience and interest.
• Describe how you envision the program meeting your training goals and interest.
• Describe your professional goals and aspirations for the future.