Welcome to Arkansas State University!

Psychology and Counseling

School Psychology

Specialist in Education (Ed.S.)


College: College of Education & Behavioral Science | Graduate School

Department: Psychology and Counseling

The Ed.S. Degree in Psychology & Counseling with an emphasis on School Psychology prepares students for careers as School Psychologists. These professionals work with parents, teachers, students, educators, and others to best meet the educational and mental health needs of children.

Students who complete the program are eligible to take the Praxis II School Psychology Specialty Examination in order to become licensed as School Psychology Specialists with the Arkansas Department of Education and license School Psychologists in other states. Many also seek National certification in School Psychology (i.e. NASP). Licensed School Psychology Specialists provide specialized services in the schools.

The degree program consists of 67-semester hours that requires coursework consistent with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and Arkansas Department of Education standards. The School Psychology track is fully approved by NASP. Students receive education and training in the following ten NASP domains:

  • Data-Based Decision Making & Accountability
  • Consultation & Collaboration
  • Interventions and Instructional Support to Develop Academic Skills
  • Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills
  • School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning
  • Preventive and Responsive Services
  • Family–School Collaboration Services
  • Diversity in Development and Learning
  • Research and Program Evaluation
  • Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice
  • Admission Process

    Students admitted to the degree program will demonstrate professional qualities consistent with those for effective performance in academic and practice settings. An applicant who qualifies may be admitted with or without conditions. To qualify for either admissions status, an applicant must meet criteria printed in the current A-State Graduate Bulletin.

    In addition to application materials required by the Graduate School, applicants must submit: (a) all college transcripts, (b) an acceptable score on the GRE (Verbal & Quantitative Sections), and (c) a statement of educational & career aspirations. In addition, applicants must provide 4 letters of recommendation under separate cover (2 from past professors), and, if invited, appear for an interview with the degree committee.

    Application materials are available from:

    A-STATE Graduate School
    PO Box 60
    State University, AR  72467-0060

    PH:  870-972-3029
    EMAIL:
    gradadmissions@astate.edu

    Apply Online >>

  • Why should you apply to our program?

    Our Program is nationally approved-conditional by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) which is affiliated with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). It is also approved by the Arkansas Department of Education.  Graduates who pass the Praxis II School Psychology Specialty Examination can apply for licensure in Arkansas and in other states as School Psychology Specialists/School Psychologists. They can also apply for national certification as Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP) if they meet the cut-off score on the above examination. In some states holding the NCSP facilitates licensure.  

    In terms of licensure as School Psychology Specialists all of our graduates have passed their licensing examination and all are licensed. A considerable number have become nationally certified.  All have been employed.  

    The full-time faculty who hold the doctorate (Ph.D.) in School Psychology are graduates of APA and NASP approved programs. These faculty are licensed and have extensive experience working in school settings as school psychology specialists/school psychologists. They are actively engaged in teaching, research/scholarship and service specific to the profession of school psychology.

    The other faculty within the department and adjunct faculty associated with the program possess expertise in related areas such as counseling, educational psychology, statistics, physiological psychology and psychopharmacology. They also contribute to the program through their teaching, research/scholarship, and service.

    The program strongly encourages students to become actively involved in research/scholarship and service specific to school psychology through local, state, and national professional organizations.

    Outstanding field supervisors who are licensed school psychology specialists/school psychologists, many of whom are graduates of the program, volunteer their knowledge, skills, and time to supervise practicum student and interns. A number of these practitioners have also graciously served as adjunct instructors for the program.

    Graduates of the program have proven to be highly skilled, successful, and many have assumed professional leadership roles specific to the field of school psychology.       

    The graduate degree that our students earn is the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) Degree in Psychology and Counseling with a Concentration in School Psychology. This is a higher level degree than a Masters and in a number of school settings may result in a higher annual salary for the graduate.

    Our program is located in Northeast Arkansas and therefore is geographically set to best serve the Mississippi River Delta Region, the Ozarks, and Southeast Missouri. Although a number of our graduates have relocated to other areas of the state and to other states across the U.S.

  • Course Requirements

    Curriculum and degree requirements can be found in the most current Graduate Bulletin.

    Visit the bulletins page >>
  • School Psychology Documents
  • Core Faculty
  • Affiliate Faculty

    Savannah Cromier, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Counseling
    University of Northern Colorado

    Lacy Overley, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Counseling
    University of Mississippi

    Blake Sandusky, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Counseling
    Auburn University

    Sharon Davis, Ph.D.
    Professor of Counseling
    Southern Illinois University

    Jess Curtis, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Psychology
    Oklahoma State University

    Loretta McGregor, Ph.D.
    Professor of Psychology
    Wichita State University