EdS in School Psychology

To meet the demand for School Psychologists in Georgia, the department will admit four students into an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) trajectory program each Fall. Like our doctoral program, our program prides itself on offering our students access to faculty members with a diverse set of skills and research interests. Through this diversity, you will develop a broad knowledge base of school-based assessment, consultation, and intervention work. You will also develop expertise within a certain area through involvement with a research team, completion of scholarly projects, and coursework associated with a minor concentration.

Our School Psychology faculty dedicate a substantial amount of time and effort to our graduate students. When selecting students, we are not simply selecting individuals with who we will provide didactic instruction in the classroom, but students with whom we will spend many hours in and outside of the classroom perfecting their clinical and research skills to enhance the lives of children and adolescents and the practice of school psychology.

For this face-to-face three-year Educational Specialist program, students will enter the Master of Education in Educational Psychology program and complete two years of didactic and field work. In the Summer following the completion of the master’s program, students will complete a three-term year-long internship program (1200 hours) in a local school system and earn the Educational Specialist in School Psychology degree. To meet national standards for certification as school psychologists, all candidates for this program will need to complete the master’s and specialist program at the University of Georgia.

Learn to become a clinically skilled psychologist who understands and works within accepted scientific principles and guidelines. You will develop principles of theory, science, and practice in four major content areas:

• Child and adolescent development and systems
• Abnormal psychology
• Educational and Psychological Assessment
• Intervention and consultation

Highlights

1. Learn with an emphasis on research
2. High placement rate with impressive in-demand skill set
3. Students have many opportunities to present research and publish
4. Curriculum prepares students to be competent in their work with diverse populations

Curriculum

Overview of Academic Demands

This rigorous program focuses on child and adolescent development and systems, abnormal psychology, educational and psychological assessment, and intervention/consultation. Coursework is connected to research and statistics, and you will select a minor area of concentration focusing on areas such as statistics and measurement, pediatric psychology, problems of children with chronic disease, or early childhood education.

The School Psychology Program at the University of Georgia has a long and distinguished history in the field. Our faculty have established themselves in fields relevant to the practice of psychology with school-age children and adolescents. Our specific expertise centers on dropout prevention and school engagement, early reading practices, peer relationships and friendships, autism and cross-cultural diagnosis of autism, early intervention, and improving mental health outcomes for diverse populations.

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal .

Download a Program of Study (PDF)

How to Apply

Apply to the M.Ed./Ed.S. in Educational Psychology

Applicants are required to apply for BOTH the M.Ed. in Educational Psychology (emphasis in Ed Psych) AND the Ed.S. in Educational Psychology (emphasis in School Psychology) on the Athens campus. Failing to do so will mean an incomplete application.

On the second application, answer yes to “Have you previously applied to UGA Graduate Admissions after Summer 2014?” This will drop the application price of the second application to $25.

While completing your Graduate School application, note that your three letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can evaluate your scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program. Preferably, at least two of the three letters will be from faculty who have instructed the applicant in a previous program of study.

* The GRE is a not a requirement for applicants; however, if you would like to submit one, you may. As a program, we take a holistic approach to reviewing applications and consider all components of the application equally. Applicants that chose not to submit a GRE will not be penalized.

Start A Graduate School Application

Deadline to Apply

Masters in Educational Psychology / Specialist in School Psychology (ON-CAMPUS)

December 1 for the start of the following Fall semester

Application Checklist

1. Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online. Application fee: $75 Domestic/$ 100 International (waived for US veterans).
2. Select Campus – Athens
3. Select Intended Program - M.Ed., Educational Psychology [MED_EPSY]
4. Select Area of Emphasis – Educational Psychology.
5. Résumé or curriculum vita – Upload to the Graduate School application.
6. Statement of Purpose – Submit a minimum one-page statement of purpose online to the Graduate School. The statement of purpose should clarify the candidate’s relevant background, interests, and goals that align with the degree program objectives.
7. Transcripts – Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended to the Graduate School application. Send official transcripts after you are admitted.
8. Letters of Recommendation – Submit three letters of recommendation online to the graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program and in the field. Letters of recommendation may come from prior academic faculty, field supervisors or field colleagues. The application will prompt your recommenders to submit their letters electronically.