School Psychology (MA degree)

The Iona University Master of Arts (MA) in School Psychology is a New York state registered program for the preparation of certified school psychologists. Graduates of the MA program can apply for New York state certification as school psychologists through the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) Office of Teaching Initiatives.  

Certifications available to MA students and graduates are as follows:  

• Internship certification, after completion of 50% of graduate coursework
• Provisional certification, after completion of coursework but before full-time work begins
• Permanent certification, after completion of at least two full years of paid, full-time experience as a school psychologist 

In addition to completing the MA program, applicants for professional certification in New York must also complete workshops on Child Abuse Identification and the Dignity for All Students Act, fingerprint clearance, and verification of citizenship status as permanent residents or U.S. citizens.  

School psychologist certification and licensure requirements vary by state, and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) maintains a list of requirements by state. For clarification, the MA program does not qualify graduates to become licensed psychologists in any state.  

As a NASP-accredited program, our graduates are eligible for National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP), a credential that is accepted in over 30 different states. 

Students in the MA in School Psychology program must complete 12 credits of practica and internship courses to graduate, which adds up to approximately 1,500 total supervised hours. All students must complete two semesters of practicum and two semesters of internships as follows:

• Practicum in School Psychology: the first course in the sequence of required fieldwork experiences focuses on introducing the student to the school setting.  Supervised training emphasizes assessment practices
• For the second course, students can choose between the Advanced Practicum in School Psychology: Consultation or the Bilingual Practicum in School Psychology, depending on whether they choose to pursue the Bilingual Extension Advanced Certificate as part of their master’s program. Both options offer supervised training consultation practices
• Internship in School Psychology I: supervised training with an emphasis on consultation, assessment, and intervention in a school setting. Students complete a minimum of 400 onsite hours of supervised experience.  
• Internship in School Psychology II: supervised training that builds on previous experiences, with an emphasis on consultation, crisis intervention, assessment, and counseling students. Students complete a minimum of 800 onsite hours of supervised experience.  

Yes, the MA in School Psychology infuses content knowledge and skills in culturally responsive assessment and intervention techniques throughout the curriculum. For those that are bilingual, the Bilingual Extension Advanced Certificate program can also be completed within the same time frame as the MA. The Bilingual Extension specifically includes further training in culturally responsive school-based psychological evaluations and interventions.  

According to the U.S. Institute of Education Sciences (IES), "Culturally responsive pedagogies can allow educators to design and select assessments that promote student equity as part of a balanced system of assessments.” Culturally responsive assessments by school psychologists “must be able to account for differences in students’ cultural identities.” The Iona master’s program teaches the flexibility and sensitivity necessary to allow all students access to the same high-quality assessment and counseling services from credentialed school psychologists. 

Yes, courses in the MA in school psychology program are applicable to school psychologist certification requirements. Whether or not courses count toward doctoral programs, such as a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), depends on the school. Some universities offer advanced standing doctoral programs, which allow credits from a master’s degree program to count toward some of the doctoral coursework, leading to faster completion than a traditional doctoral program.  

School psychologists in New York do not need a doctoral degree to work independently in the school context. A PsyD or other doctoral program may be required if a school psychologist wants to earn a licensed psychologist credential and work in other settings or with clients other than students. In New York, psychologists are licensed through the NYSED Office of the Professions and must complete a doctoral degree from an approved program as well as two years of full-time supervised experience before they are eligible for licensure as a psychologist.  

School psychologist requirements vary from state to state. Graduates of the Iona MA in School Psychology program may be eligible to apply for certification or licensure in other states, depending on their requirements. The Iona program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) which is accepted in over 30 other states. For instance, in California, applicants for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential, Specialization in School Psychology, are eligible if they complete an NASP accredited program in any state, as long as they also meet other requirements.  

For those who want to seek licensure or certification in a state other than New York, be sure to review that state’s requirements for school psychologists before applying to graduate programs. As a NASP-accredited program, the MA degree from Iona qualifies for certification in many states, but not necessarily all states. Extra steps, such as the verification of internship hours or sitting for a state-specific exam or training, may be required before certification is granted.