School Psychology (MA degree)
Why School Psychology?
After earning your Master of Arts in School Psychology (MA) degree, you will do the important work of supporting children and adolescents during their education. As a school psychologist, you will provide a variety of services to children and youth within the context of the school system. Services can include psychological assessment, counseling, behavioral intervention, consulting with teachers and parents, and program development and evaluation for learners of all ages.
Why Study School Psychology at Iona?
Strong Student Success Rate
Iona University’s 65-credit MA in School Psychology program prepares you to become a school psychologist who prioritizes a high level of professional competence and integrity. Our strong student success rate reflects the high degree of personal attention and support you receive as you pursue your graduate studies in psychology.
Best Master’s Degrees in School Psychology
Iona University’s Master’s Degree in School Psychology is ranked among the Best Master’s Degrees in School Psychology by CounselingPsychology.org. The 2024 rankings took into account factors such as program completion rates, cost of living, competitiveness of the institution, diversity of programs offered, and faculty experience.
NASP Accredited and Certification Eligibility
Our Master’s in School Psychology degree is fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP; Specialist Level). Students completing this graduate program are eligible for certification by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED).
NASP: Program Annual Report and Student Outcomes Data
Increased Employment Opportunities
Graduates of our program are also eligible to become Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP), a credential that is accepted in over 30 other states and significantly increases employment opportunities.
Complete Classwork and Fieldwork in Just Three Years
Iona’s graduate-level School Psychology program can be completed in three years for full-time students. Classes are completed in the first two years of the program while fieldwork is completed in the third and final year of the program.
Quick Facts
Tuition and Financial Aid
We encourage you to utilize our Graduate Tuition Estimator to get an estimate of potential tuition costs after scholarships have been applied, based on current rates.
Explore scholarships and awards for graduate students here and contact Student Financial Services to learn more.
What to Expect
- Finish in three years
- Option to take online summer courses
- Fieldwork completed in final year of program
- Earn eligibility for certification by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED)
Degree Outcomes
Iona graduates have gone to successful careers as school psychologists at a number of schools and districts including:
- Greenwich Public Schools
- Harrison Central School District
- Pelham Memorial High School
- White Plains Public Schools
What You'll Learn
The Science of Child and Adolescent Behavior
Our School Psychology courses focus on the science of child and adolescent behavior through the understanding of biological, social, emotional and cognitive processes.
Services Including Psychological Assessment, Intervention, Prevention and more
Offering career-ready skills, you learn to provide a variety of services, including but not limited to, psychological assessment, intervention, prevention, program development and evaluation to learners of all ages. In addition, you will take courses in home-school collaboration; assessment and intervention for learning disabilities (LD); tests and measures, research design and program evaluation, and neuropsychology.
A Counselor’s Role in Educational Settings
Integrated into your Master’s in School Psychology program, fieldwork experiences familiarize you with the counseling role at a school.
Iona’s location in the greater NYC area gives you a variety of educational settings to observe other school psychologists as well as develop and improve your own skills in the areas of assessment, counseling and consultation.
Bilingual Extension: School Psychology (Advanced Certificate)
This advanced certificate is a New York State-approved Bilingual Extension to the MA School Psychology Program. It is designed to allow students the opportunity to gain competency in areas that include awareness and understanding of cross-cultural practices, knowledge of second language acquisition processes in school-aged youth, and training and development in implementing culturally responsive school-based psychological evaluations and interventions.
Students enrolled in the MA School Psychology program need only complete an additional six credits to earn the bilingual extension. Furthermore, both the MA and the bilingual extension can be completed simultaneously; thus, students graduate in three years with their MA and the advanced certificate leading to higher earning potential.
Bilingual Extension: School Psychology (Advanced Certificate)
Careers & Outcomes
When you become a school psychologist, you have the opportunity to improve the lives and well-being of thousands of students. Your Master’s in School Psychology provides eligibility to apply for New York certification and gives you the experience you need to help today's youth.
Iona Graduates Have Worked At:
Become a Nationally Certified School Psychologist
At Iona, you will not only receive personalized guidance and mentorship from our dedicated faculty. You will gain valuable hands-on experience through internships and interprofessional educational opportunities that will prepare you for a successful career as a nationally certified school psychologist.
School Psychology Program Highlights
Interprofessional Education (IPE)
Throughout the program, you will train alongside students from other disciplines building collaborative problem solving-skills that will benefit students, families and schools.
Fieldwork Experiences
Through IPE Fellowship opportunities and practicum placements, you will gain hands-on experience with diverse student populations. In your final year, you will complete a full-time internship in schools mastering the skills needed to become an ethically minded, competent school psychologist.
Supportive Networks
As a first-year student, you will be paired with second- and third-year student mentors, who are available to answer questions and provide support. Core program faculty teach the majority of courses, getting to know each student and working with them individually to ensure student success. In addition, as an Iona graduate student, you will have access to a network of more than 50,000 alumni who are eager to help fellow Gaels.
Learn more about the MA in School Psychology at Iona!
Start Your Application Today
Iona University’s MA in School Psychology guides our students through the process of becoming an effective school psychologist in the state of New York. The courses in the School Psychology program offer training in testing, assessment and counseling so our graduates are fully prepared to improve the lives of children and adolescents in educational settings.
Request information to learn more about our Master’s in School Psychology or begin your application.
Application Requirements
Two letters of recommendation are required if your GPA is below 3.0. If your overall GPA is 3.0 or higher, you may submit one letter of recommendation, but it must be from an academic reference.
Additional requirements:
- Application for admission.
- Completion of the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.
- Official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions attended.
- Current resume.
- Completion of at least 9 credits of psychology courses, including statistics, experimental psychology, and one other upper-level psychology course.
Find Out what an Iona Education Can Do For You
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Let us show you around, answer your questions and give you a feel of our tight-knit community.
Apply Today
If you're considering applying to Iona, you're not alone! Since 2019, our new-student enrollment is up nearly 40%. Graduate students automatically qualify for consideration of merit scholarships during their graduate programs. Start your application today.
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