This program of study is designed for students who wish to work toward a Master's and/or Education Specialist degree with the goal of becoming certified as a school psychologist. This program is designed to meet the NASP-NCATE standards for training programs in school psychology and the Kansas State Board of Education. Emporia State University's School Psychology Program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists, and completion of our program makes a candidate eligible for licensure within both the state of Kansas as well as for the NCSP.
As the first school psychology program offered in the state, the Emporia State University (ESU) school psychology program has a long-standing history of respect by the educators of Kansas. Beginning in 1952, our candidates began collaboration with Kansas schools, and to this day there are ESU-trained school psychologists on staff in virtually all districts and special educational cooperatives in Kansas.
At ESU, candidates first learn to be members of multidisciplinary teams by attending classes with other graduate majors in special education. The initial training occurs in association with members of disciplines including early childhood, gifted education, and adaptive education, as candidates understand characteristics and methods courses related to preschool and school-aged children with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, mental retardation, autism, serious emotional disturbance, and more. In other coursework, candidates interact with educators from the fields of special education administration, clinical psych