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. This application also includes the departmental application, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a writing sample. If space is available, applications may be reviewed for conditional admission 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 an in-person, virtual, or phone interview. personal interview. 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 or introductory psychology, child or developmental, statistics, abnormal or personality, and learning or cognition. Applicants without these courses may be allowed to take these concurrently with graduate studies or demonstrate mastery of subject material.

All application material should be uploaded to the WTAMU Graduate School Applicant Portal or sent directly to the WTAMU Graduate School:

Graduate School

West Texas A&M University

WTAMU Box 60215

Canyon, TX 79016

graduateschool@wtamu.edu

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

Application portal and information available online:
https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/graduate-school/apply/index.html

Degree Requirements:

66-Hour Specialist Degree

Note:

Changes in the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council or 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 is comprised of 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.

Students may also have the option to develop an electronic portfolio in lieu of components of the comprehensive exam. An electronic portfolio will document student progress, knowledge, and skills throughout the program, resulting in a comprehensive digital repository of information.

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.