Timeline

February 1: Due date for student application documents
February 15: Completion date for faculty review of application documents and for mailing of invitations to finalists for appointments for interviews and writing exercises
March 1: Completion date for interviews and writing exercises
March 15: Mailing date for letters of acceptance

Documents

√ Apply online for free at http://www.udayton.edu/~gradsch/main.htm

√ Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate courses

√ $30 application fee (for postal mailed applications only)

√ Three letters of recommendation - Information regarding submission of recommendation letters is included in the online application process.

√ Results of the Graduate Records Examination (GRE), mailed directly from the testing service. Applications to take the GRE may be obtained from the Graduate Studies Office: 937.229.2343. Appointment to take the GRE by computer may be made at selected Sylvan Learning Centers.

√ Two-page typed personal statement of your current perception of and interest in the role of the school psychologist

Procedures

Application materials should be reviewed carefully before submission.  Admission procedures for the school psychology program are somewhat different from those for other department programs.  Documents are reviewed during the first half of February.  Questions regarding the application process may be called or e-mailed to Dr. Hunley at the following number and address.

Dr. Hunley, 937.229.3624, Sawyer.Hunley@notes.udayton.edu

School Psychology Program Notes

Admission Procedures - In addition to the admission documents required for other graduate programs in the School of Education (positive references and undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75), school psychology applicants will also be required to take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE), to submit a typed personal statement of their interest in and current perception of the role of the school psychologist, and to appear for an interview with program faculty and for an extemporaneous writing exercise.

Admission Prerequisites - In order to be accepted into the school psychology program, students must (a) possess a valid Ohio teaching license, or (b) possess a degree in psychology or another human service related major.

Experience in Schools - If at the time of their acceptance into the school psychology program, applicants do not possess the credentials listed in (a) in the above paragraph, they must complete at least one year of full-time experience (or its equivalent) as a special education tutor or teacher’s aide, or volunteer in a k-12 classroom setting for the equivalent of 70 days, prior to beginning their school psychology internship. Part-time graduate courses in the school psychology program may be taken while completing this employment or volunteer experience, during which graduate students will be gaining invaluable experience in schools upon which they will draw when they become school psychologists. This requirement is based on the perception that most of the time a school psychologist's colleague is a classroom teacher, and school psychologists need to be credible and resourceful in their collaboration with teachers.

A number of educational agencies in the Dayton area hire special education tutors, teacher aides, and substitute teachers, at hourly, daily, or yearly rates.  Such employment offers financial support for living expenses and tuition payments, as well as excellent experience in preparation for the role of school psychologist.  Information about such opportunities may be obtained from the school psychology program coordinator.

Applicants Without a Teaching License - Applicants who are not teacher licensed must take two courses (totaling three credit hours) in addition to those identified in sample schedules A and B: EDC 539 (Administration of Pupil Personnel Services), and EDC 573 (Orientation to the School Process).

Transfer Credits - Upon acceptance into the school psychology program, transcripts of past courses will be reviewed in order to determine the possible need to add or substitute courses.  Such a review must result in a course plan totaling at least 70 graduate hours, covering the program content areas.  Students may transfer toward the master’s degree in school psychology up to six semester hours of graduate courses in other programs, if such coursework has been completed within five years prior to acceptance into the school psychology program and the grade quality is "B" or better.  An additional six graduate transfer credits may be applied toward the specialist degree.

Respecialization - The school psychology program is open to applications from students who have already completed the doctorate degree in a related field and who may wish to complete a modified program of study resulting in state licensure for the practice of school psychology.  Respecialization applicants who already possess a doctorate degree in a related field must complete the same application procedures as all other student applicants.  Upon acceptance into the school psychology program, transcripts of past courses are reviewed in order to determine which courses may be applied toward meeting NASP’s training and State licensure requirements.  Such courses must have been completed within five years prior to acceptance into the school psychology program, the content must be comparable, and the grade quality must be “B” or better.  All such students must complete a minimum of 34-semester credits, including those credits taken during their full year (1200 clock hours) internship in a school setting.

Residency - All school psychology students must meet a residency requirement by enrolling in coursework on a full-time basis (9 or more credits) for at least two consecutive terms (e.g., fall and winter, or winter and summer).

Competency Test - In order to obtain the Ohio license in school psychology, students must take the PRAXIS II specialty area test #40 (school psychologist), administered six times each year by ETS, and achieve Ohio's passing score of 630. This test is normally taken in March of the internship year.

Internship - Students seeking Ohio school psychology licensure who wish to intern in Ohio will be required to sign a statement of intent to work in Ohio as a school psychologist for at least one year following internship. The State of Ohio limits the number of internships each year to approximately 100. Of this number, UD receives at least seven internship slots per year. For students not intending to work in Ohio following internship, internship arrangements may be made in another state.

Tuition and Fees - All graduate education courses are offered on a semester credit system.  Effective in the fall term of 2005, projected tuition charges will be $387 per credit hour.  Most courses are three semester hours, so that such a course would cost $1161 in addition to a $25 university fee, plus textbooks.

Financial Aid - Financial aid from university sources is available to a limited number of full-time students. (Full time status requires registration for a minimum of eight credits per term.) Guaranteed student loans are available to students who register for at least three credit hours per term, if the student's financial ability meets eligibility criteria. A financial aid information package may be obtained from the University’s Financial Aid Office (937-229-4311).

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. Each pays tuition costs plus an eleven-month stipend, and requires 20 hours of work per week. Tuition remission is available to graduate assistants for up to 24 credits per year. Information about graduate assistantships and fellowships will be available at your interview. The granting of financial aid requires that the student first be admitted into a graduate program.

A number of educational agencies in the Dayton area hire special education tutors, teacher aides, and substitute teachers, at hourly, daily, or yearly rates. Such employment offers financial support for living expenses and tuition payments, as well as excellent experience in preparation for the role of school psychologist. Information about such opportunities may be obtained from the school psychology program coordinator.

Job Market - Both national and state surveys reveal a dramatic shortage of school psychologists and an excellent job market, especially for persons who are able to move to locations where the job shortages are greatest. Job hunting may be more uncertain for persons who are unable to move.

Salaries - Starting salaries for beginning school psychologists in Ohio range above $35,000, for 10-month contracts. The average salary in the State is above $52,000. Experienced school psychologists earn over $67,000.

Accreditation - This program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and accredited by the Ohio Department of Education. In accordance with NASP standards, this program requires the equivalent of at least three years of full-time graduate study, including at least 60 graduate credit hours (specialist level), a residency of at least two consecutive full-time terms, and one academic year of supervised internship. The program excludes credit for undergraduate study.

Interrupted Matriculation - Students are required to maintain sequential and uninterrupted matriculation through the pattern of courses outlined at the beginning of their programs.  Uninterrupted matriculation occurs when students complete at least one course per semester, including fall winter and summer terms.  If this pattern is altered, it may become necessary for students to complete additional requirements in order to insure their readiness to resume or to complete their programs.  Students should alter their program pattern only through consultation with program faculty.

Investigation of Criminal Record - School psychology students should be aware that the State of Ohio will require them to undergo a fingerprint check to determine if they have a criminal record. Such check(s) will be conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the FBI (for persons who have not been Oho residents for the past five years), during the summer prior to the internship year, in order to be granted the one-year temporary child study license required for internship.

Thesis Registration - During the first winter term of specialist degree coursework, students will register for two credits of “Thesis” (EDC 800)

Credentialing Requirement - The School Psychology Program at the University of Dayton offers the Master of Science in Education Degree and the Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology. A license to practice in schools is available from the State Department of Education to graduates who have successfully completed the program requirements and have passed the School Psychologist portion of the Praxis II with a score of 630 or higher. The National Certificate in School Psychology (NCSP) is available from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to students who earn a Praxis II score of 660 or higher. A license to engage in the independent practice of school psychology is available from the State Board of Psychology for graduates who have worked in the schools for three years, pass the Praxis II with a score of 650 or higher, and pass a written and oral examination.

There may be other important information relevant to your program. Please see the Program Handbook for your year of acceptance.