School Psychology, Ed.S.

Overview

Schools across Michigan face a critical shortage of professionals who understand the complex intersection of mental health, learning, and behavior. Western Michigan University's new Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in School Psychology prepares equity-centered practitioners to meet that need — combining rigorous academic preparation with intensive, supervised field experience across urban, suburban, and rural schools.

Supported by a grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the program is purposefully designed to address school psychologist shortages and expand access to student mental health services statewide.

Graphic with the large yellow text 'RANKED 2'. Below it, text reads 'Ranked No. 2 in the state of Michigan for best online master's in education programs'

The goal in developing this Ed.S. program is to prepare practitioners so they can make an impact in their schools and communities across the state.

— Dr. Kristal Ehrhardt, senior associate dean of the College of Education and Human Development

Why choose WMU for your Ed.S.?

HyFlex/hybrid-flexible learning format: Attend courses in person or synchronously online, so you can train without uprooting your life or leaving the community you already serve.
Extensive, sequenced field experience: — Practicum beginning in year one, culminating in a full-year, full-time internship, across diverse school settings.
Designed around Michigan's needs: — Built in alignment with the 2020 NASP Standards and Michigan Department of Education requirements, with the intention to pursue NASP program approval.
A cohort-based, faculty-mentored experience: Small classes taught by faculty active in school psychology research and practice.
State-supported funding: Backed by a Michigan Department of Labor & Economic opportunity (LEO) grant.

Request information

Please provide your contact information if you would like WMU to contact you as information becomes available about the program, including when applications open.

Questions?

Feel free to reach out to Dr. Kristal Ehrhardt

Contact Dr. Kristal Ehrhardt

What you will learn

The 63-credit hour curriculum prepares practitioners to deliver evidence-based, data-driven services across all 10 NASP domains of school psychology practice, with particular emphasis on:

Data-based decision-making and program accountability
Consultation and collaborative problem-solving at the individual and systems level
Assessment of cognition, academic achievement, and social-emotional/behavioral functioning
Evidence-based academic, behavioral, and mental health interventions within a multitiered system of supports (MTSS)
Equitable, culturally responsive practice for diverse student populations
Preventive and responsive services, including crisis prevention and response
Legal, ethical, and professional standards governing school psychology practice

Graduates are prepared to meet NASP national certification requirements and to qualify for Michigan certification as school psychologists.

Program of Study

Semester/Term	Course
Fall Year 1	SPSY 6000: School Organizations and the Role of the School Psychologist (3)
	SPED 6380: Prevention and Intervention Techniques for Establishing Positive School Environments (3)
	SPSY 6310: Assessment of Cognition & Academic Achievement (3) (30 hours of practicum completed)
	EMR 5410: Introduction to Educational Measurement & Assessment (3)
Spring Year 1	PSY 6100: Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
	SPSY 5330/SPED 5330: Assessment for Data-Based Decision Making (3)
	SPSY 5340/SPED 5340: Evidence-Based Reading Instruction & Intervention (3)
	SPSY 6110: School Psychology Practicum: Data-Based Decision Making (1) (120 hours of practicum completed)
Summer 1 Year 1	SPSY 6400: Child and Adolescent Development in Diverse Family Contexts (3)
Summer 2 Year 1	SPSY 6381: Safe and Supportive School Climates
Fall Year 2	SPSY 6382: Intensive Interventions for Challenging Behaviors (3)
	SPSY 6420: Consultation & Coaching in Schools (3)
	PSY 6080: Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis OR SPED 6370 Applications of Research in Special Education (3)
	SPSY 6112: School Psychology Practicum: Consultation & Coaching (1) (150 hours of practicum completed)
Spring Year 2	SPSY 6392: Frameworks for Disabilities and Disorders in Childhood (3)
	SPSY 6455: School-based Counseling and Mental Health Interventions (3)
	EMR 6450: Data Analytics 1 (3)
	SPSY 6113: School Psychology Practicum (1): Consultation & Counseling (150 hours of practicum completed)
Summer 1 Year 2	SPSY 6430: Systems-level Consultation and Program Evaluation in Schools (3)
Summer 2 Year 2	SPED 6430: Legal Issues in Special Education (3)
Fall Year 3	SPSY 7100: School Psychology Internship & Seminar (3) (600 hours)
Spring Year 3	SPSY 7100: School Psychology Internship & Seminar (3) (600 hours)
Summer 1 Year 3	SPSY 7100: School Psychology Internship & Seminar (3) (300 hours)