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School Psychology: Dual MA and Specialist Degree

About

Appalachian’s dual Master of Arts and Specialist in School Psychology degree program provides learning experiences grounded in the scientist-practitioner model that enable our graduates to become well-rounded, effective school psychologists who practice competently and ethically in all domains of school psychology practice and who are prepared to work effectively with diverse populations in a variety of settings.

The multidisciplinary program produces leaders in the field who advocate for and facilitate positive change for the children, families and institutions they serve, by employing the best available scientific evidence and the most effective interpersonal and collaborative skills.

More Information

Professional Licensure

This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification in North Carolina. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

Courses

  • Graduate Bulletin and Course Catalog
    • School Psychology, SSP/MA

Application Essentials

Required Entrance Exam: The GRE is not required for students with a GPA of 3.0 or above. For those with a GPA below 3.0, entrance exam requirements follow those of the Graduate School (GRE score must be no more than 5 years old).

Required number of references to specify in the online form: 3

Supplemental Information: Resume (Required upload for application submission); and in lieu of a "Personal Statement" essay, ALL applicants must complete a questionnaire within the online application.

Basic Conditions for Consideration of Admission: Meeting or exceeding the conditions below does NOT guarantee admission. All applications for a given entry term will be weighed based upon the number of seats available and the quality of the complete application packages. With special permission from the Graduate School, a program may admit a limited number of students with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the graduate school minimums.

Graduate School: 3.0 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores from the appropriate admission test(s), OR 2.5 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores at the 25th percentile level from the appropriate admission test(s).

Admission to School Psychology: Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of applications are reviewed in comparison to the current applicant pool.

Employers

  • Public school districts across North Carolina and other states
  • Agencies that support children with disabilities
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Application Deadlines

Fall Admission
February 1, priority review date for admission is December 15

Applications not completed by the priority date risk denial of admission; however, if seats remain for the invitation-only interviews in February, applications not complete by December 15 will be considered.

Want to learn more?

Register for Info Session

Why Appalachian?

  • The program has been NASP-approved since 1991.
  • Students have early and ongoing school-based learning experiences.
  • Some School Psychology students choose to pursue either a graduate certificate (12 hours) or a graduate minor (9 hours) in autism — both offered by App State’s Department of Reading Education and Special Education.
  • Faculty are accessible and supportive.
  • The program has a cooperative, non-competitive culture.
  • 100% of eligible students have received graduate assistantships in the past decade.
  • 100% of our students have obtained third-year internship placements.
  • 100% of our graduates who have sought employment as school psychologists have been successful.
  • All graduate programs at Appalachian have small class sizes, providing intimate classroom interaction.
  • The School of Graduate Studies offers scholarships, fellowships and assistantships to support eligible, full-time, degree-seeking students.

Location

On campus

Careers

  • School Psychologist
  • Nonprofit Director
  • Educational Specialist

Contacts

Dr. Jamie Yarbrough
Program Director
yarbroughjl@appstate.edu

Department of Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences

  • Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology

    Appalachian’s Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology serves more than 1,000 undergraduate majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, as well as 80 graduate students in three master’s programs (experimental psychology, school psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management) and the clinical psychology (Psy.D.) doctoral program. Learn more at https://psych.appstate.edu.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated admissions program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

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