The University of Alabama's School Psychology program is designed to provide exemplary graduate training in research, application, and practice related to learning, development, and mental health of children and youth, as well as their families, educators, and other professionals who work with them. The School Psychology Program admits candidates to the master’s (MA), educational specialist (EdS), and PhD graduate degree programs. The degree programs prepare candidates for direct school-based practice and, for PhD candidates, careers in academic and other settings as faculty members, researchers, and practitioners. These programs focus on the provision of school psychology services that are based on a strong foundation of research and application related to learners and learning processes, and they include an integrated and sequential program of study with comprehensive coursework and supervised field experiences. Candidates participate in courses and seminars in assessment and data collection; interventions and decision making, prevention and consultation, professional school psychology, sociocultural foundations, psychological foundations, human development, educational foundations, statistics and research, and other areas. Candidates are required to participate in extensive practicum, internship, and research experiences.
Two options are available for the EdS degree: On-campus option and distance learning option:
The traditional, on-campus EdS and PhD degrees in the School Psychology Program hold full approval status from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and national recognition by CAEP. Applicants with undergraduate or previous graduate degree in psychology, education, human development, or related fields are eligible for admission to the traditional, on-campus School Psychology program.
The distance learning option blends online classes with intensive campus weekends and is offered through the College of Continuing Studies. The distance learning program does NOT hold NASP approval. Currently, only applicants who hold master's level, professional educator certification in psychometry or special education from a state department of education will be considered for the hybrid program.