Proposed (beginning Fall 2025):
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) Degree in School Psychology
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The Fall 2025 application filing period opens on October 1, 2024. Please locate your program to view its respective admission application deadline
Ed.S. - School Psychology Deadline: January 15, 2025
In addition to meeting the University's general requirements for admission to graduate programs, prospective students must fulfill the following criteria:
A baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university.
A 2.75 grade point average in the last 60 semester units attempted.
Two letters of recommendations.
Participate in an interview with the Department screening committee.
Successful candidates who meet these requirements will be admitted to cohort groups and are obligated to follow a specific sequence of cohort classes.
Application Process
Information Sessions:
Information Sessions for Prospective Students will be scheduled in October and November, 2025.
Applications for admission to the program are reviewed once a year for the Fall Semester. Interested candidates should submit their applications through Cal State Apply. The School Psychology Program admits one new cohort of students annually, with classes commencing in the Fall semester. We typically receive 250-300 applications for 24 available positions. There are no specific undergraduate major requirements, and no standardized test (e.g., GRE) is needed. Applicants must go through the university application (CalStateApply). The School Psychology Program Admission Committee reviews applications, conducts in-person interviews for selected candidates, and requires all selected applicants to participate in a half-day campus interview in February.
After Acceptance:
After acceptance, students are assigned a faculty advisor and placed in a cohort group.
Candidates are required to obtain Certificates of Clearance with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), provide proof of a negative TB test, and successfully meet the Basic Skills Requirement.
Length of Program:
The School Psychology Program is a 3-year, full-time course of study consisting of 72-76 units.
PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
The M.S. in Counseling, option in School Psychology Program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
FAQ
We are looking for candidates with a strong commitment to become a school psychologist, a willingness and readiness to study on a full-time basis, an appreciation for cultural and linguistic diversity, excellent communication skills (oral and written), a desire to work with children and adolescents - including youth with special needs, good interpersonal skills, and shared values with the College of Education and Department of Special Education & Counseling.
Depending on the course content and year the course was taken, some graduate level courses may be transferred to your Cal State LA school psychology program plan. Generally, equivalent courses taken within 7 years of degree conferral (i.e., your anticipated graduation year) are eligible for transfer. We recommend meeting with the program coordinator or a program advisor. Bring your transcripts and course descriptions for the courses in question.
Absolutely. We do not have a major requirement and we welcome all majors to apply. Students who majored in an unrelated field who are successful in our program typically have at least some prior field experience in the helping profession (e.g., working or volunteering at a school setting or community youth agency, tutoring, ABA therapy).
No, we do not require the GRE or CBEST for admission. Students who are admitted and enrolled in our program are required to pass the CBEST by the end of their first year of the program.
We offer the Master of Science in Counseling degree, with four different options within this degree (applied behavior analysis, rehabilitation counseling, school-based family counseling, and school psychology). The CalStateApply application will ask you which degree you are applying to, and the program application will ask you which option you are applying to. Therefore, on the CalStateApply application, you should select the M.S. in Counseling degree.
Students have classes 2-3 days a week. All of our courses are scheduled in the early afternoon or evening (starting at 4:30 PM).
Many of our students work part- or full-time during their first year in the program. During the second year, most students only work part time due to practicum requirements, in which students complete 10-15 hours per week of field-based experiences in school settings. This requires students to be available at least 1-2 days a week for practicum. During the third year, students do not work and are encouraged to focus on completing their full time internship (40 hours per week).
The Department of Special Education and Counseling offers the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) certificate, which is designed to provide practitioners, such as school psychologists or school psychology trainees, the opportunity to develop specialized skills in applied behavior analysis. The ABA certificate also helps to prepare students for the National Certification Exam in Behavior Analysis. Individuals who are interested in becoming a BCBA may pursue the ABA certificate while they are in the school psychology program, complete supervised fieldwork experiences in ABA, and must pass the national certification exam. Approximately half of the students in our program pursue the ABA certificate. For more information, see: /academic/ccoe/programs/cert_aba
No, our program does not prepare candidates to become school counselors. If you are interested in becoming a school counselor, please refer to the School-Based Family Counseling program: /academic/ccoe/programs/ms_mftpps
Department of Special Education and Counseling
King Hall C1064
Phone: (323) 343-4400
Website: Department of Special Education and Counseling
Program Coordinators: Dr. Elina Saeki and Dr. Kezia Gopaul Knights
Email: [email protected]
Program Faculty
Elina Saeki, Ph.D., NCSP
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator
Office: King Hall A2041
Email: [email protected]
- Research Interests: Teacher well-being, high-stakes testing, school climate, school consultation to support at-risk youth, systems-level change, training in school psychology
- Courses Taught: School-Based Consultation; Assessment of Social and Behavioral Disorders; Ethics, Law and Professional Issues in Counseling; Practicum and Internship Supervision; Assessment in Counseling; Individual Counseling Strategies
Kezia Gopaul-Knights, Ph.D., NCSP
Assistant Professor, Fieldwork Coordinator
Office: King Hall A2042
Email: [email protected]
Nicole Garcia, Ph.D., NCSP
Full Time Lecturer
Office: King Hall A2041
Email: [email protected]
Sarah Manchanda, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Office: King Hall A2034
Email: [email protected]
- Research Interests: Bias-based bullying/cyberbullying, bullying interventions, promoting educator wellbeing and diversity in the workforce, inclusive pedagogical practices in higher education, and culturally responsive teaching practices
- Courses Taught: School-Based Consultation; Disability in Schools and Society; School Psychology Practicum