School Psychology S.S.P.

(Major Code: 5120)

Admission Requirements:

For full admission to the program an applicant should have:

Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of class work.
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a substantial equivalent (see below).
GRE Verbal score not below the 50th percentile.
GRE Quantitative score not below the 25th percentile.
GRE Analytical Writing score of 4 or higher.

All applicants need to apply to the university graduate school and supply official transcripts. They also must complete the departmental application (available online) including three letters of recommendation (forms online), a personal statement, and a writing sample. All applications will be reviewed for conditional admission even if they do not meet the requirements for full admission (above); however, admission is competitive due to supervision requirements. Conditions of admission are based on student needs and are discussed with the applicant.

The admissions committee may contact you to arrange a personal interview. A phone interview may be scheduled if an in-person interview is not practical. A student wishing to obtain licensure in Texas as an LSSP must also have no criminal convictions other than minor traffic violations. Requirements for licensure vary from one profession to another and from state to state. If you are interested in professional licensure, please check with the appropriate licensing body in the state where you intend to practice. The specialist degree in school psychology at WTAMU may or may not meet requirements for licensure or certification in other states.

Deadlines: Review of applications for fall admission will begin April 1. All applications received after April 1 will be reviewed for any remaining positions. Spring admission may be available on a limited basis.

Substantial equivalent for admission without a bachelor’s degree in Psychology includes those courses which are prerequisites for graduate courses. These include: general psychology, child/developmental, statistics, abnormal, and learning. Applicants without these courses may be allowed to take these concurrently with graduate studies or demonstrate mastery of subject material.

Submit applications to:

Graduate School

West Texas A&M University

WTAMU Box 60215

Canyon, TX 79016

Or email to: graduateschool@wtamu.edu

For more information, contact the department at 806-651-2590.

Forms available online: http://www.wtamu.edu/academics/ppsychology-graduate-program.aspx

Degree Requirements:

66-Hour Specialist Degree

Note:

Changes in the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists: Rules and Regulations and the National Association of School Psychologists: Standards for Practice and Training can impact program requirements. This applies to requirements for supervision and completion of practica and internship as well.

Additional Requirements:

The School Psychology Program has adopted a comprehensive exam model, based on coursework and program goals and objectives. The comprehensive exam model, based on coursework and program goals and objectives. The comprehensive exam is comprised ob both a written and oral component. Students are eligible for the comprehensive exam toward the end of their coursework and must pass both components prior to graduation.

All students completing the School Psychology Program must take the Praxis II Specialty Examination in School Psychology and achieve a passing score (according to Texas LSSP guidelines) in order to graduate from the program.