Specialist in School Psychology (SSP)
As a school psychologist, you can help create a school environment where students feel safe and included as they develop academically and emotionally.
Create a Safe and Welcoming Environment for Students
Local students need your guidance and support. Help educators create a safe, welcoming learning environment by earning your specialist degree in School Psychology. You’ll work alongside teachers, administrators, students and their families as you promote mental health within the school district. Our program is consistent with the requirements published by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists for the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) and is fully approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally. Join our program today!
Careers
Become a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology and Nationally Certified School Psychologist at East Texas A&M. Graduating from our program prepares you for a career in school psychology or private practice.
Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022
See Yourself Succeed with a Degree In Specialist in School Psychology
Career Readiness
Participate in excellence-driven programs that empower you with knowledge of mental health, student affairs and statistical analysis.
Accomplished Faculty
Enjoy the opportunity to learn from the comfort of home, our main campus in Commerce or our extended university site at Collin Higher Education Center (CHEC) with guidance and mentorship from faculty who are respected educators in their field.
Education Focused
Join the ranks of our graduates who have become school counselors, licensed professional counselors and student services professionals.
Hands-On Training
Whether it's a practicum or internships, you'll engage in real-world learning experiences that build confidence and skills.
What you will learn
A specialist degree in School Psychology will offer you the opportunity to:
- Fulfill requirements to become a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) in Texas and Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)
- Learn the best practices in providing culturally relevant assessment, intervention, consultation and mental health services
- Learn how to work collaboratively with parents and teachers to support children's success
- Gain hands-on experience through a required practicum and internship
- Examine the multicultural richness within schools and how to address students’ needs
Focus Your Passion
The Department of Psychology and Special Education offers two tracks that cater to your research interests and professional goals. We offer a thesis and non-thesis option. If you’re interested in further graduate work, we recommend the thesis track. Discover which option works best for you.
National Association of School Psychologists
Course Delivery
Earning your degree just got easier at East Texas A&M. Designed for current educators and working professionals, our School Psychology program offers online and face-to-face courses at the Mesquite Metroplex Center and main campus locations. In addition, we also offer some online courses. Please note that you must take courses as indicated by your degree plan regardless of the location.
Please check the schedule of classes for locations and times. Locations and times are subject to change.
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents.
Admission
Your Path to Becoming a Lion
Deadlines
Note: This program accepts new students for the Fall Semester only
Priority admission consideration deadline: February 1
Final admission consideration deadline: April 15
- The application and all required admission documents must be submitted by the deadline.
- Interviews by invitation only
Graduate Step 1 Part 1
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Select “School Psychology, SSP” as your “Program.”
Domestic Application Fee 395064
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Graduate Coordinator DeRene Sutton 395159
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Request three signed letters of recommendation, on letterhead, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program.
Those individuals should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
Submit one document addressing the following in 500 words or less, no more than 2 pages:
- Please provide an autobiographical statement. Answer as if someone asked you to tell them something about yourself. This is an opportunity for you to provide the program with some information about yourself.
- Detail your experience in working with a variety of populations. Elaborate on how considerations related to individual differences impact your interactions within the world.
- Describe your research experience and interest.
- Describe how you envision the program meeting your training goals and interest.
- Describe your professional goals and aspirations for the future.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
You do not need to submit GRE scores if you have:
- a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.25 GPA overall or higher
- a completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.25 GPA overall or higher
If you do not meet the GPA exemption criteria, request that your GRE® scores be sent to East Texas A&M University (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.
The Department of Psychology will contact you to schedule your interview.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Graduate Enrollment Specialist Lydia Carrascosa 395115
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Deadlines
Note: This program accepts new students for the Fall Semester only
- Priority admission consideration deadline: February 1
- Interviews by invitation only
- Final admission consideration deadline: April 15
- Interviews by invitation only
Graduate Step 1 Part 1
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Select “School Psychology, SSP” as your “Program.”
International Application Fee
- Pay the $75 application fee
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Graduate Coordinator DeRene Sutton 395159
Your Graduate Coordinator
- Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Request three signed letters of recommendation, on letterhead, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program.
- At least one of the references should hold a doctoral degree.
Those individuals should
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
Submit one document addressing the following in 500 words or less, no more than 2 pages:
- Please provide an autobiographical statement. Answer as if someone asked you to tell them something about yourself. This is an opportunity for you to provide the program with some information about yourself.
- Detail your experience in working with a variety of populations. Elaborate on how considerations related to individual differences impact your interactions within the world.
- Describe your research experience and interest.
- Describe how you envision the program meeting your training goals and interest.
- Describe your professional goals and aspirations for the future
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
You do not need to submit GRE scores if you have:
- a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.25 GPA overall or higher
- a completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.25 GPA overall or higher
If you do not meet the GPA exemption criteria, request that your GRE® scores be sent to East Texas A&M University (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to East Texas A&M University:
- TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
- IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
- PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
- Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
- Official sponsor statement
- Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $33,601 USD which is less than six months old
See the Office of International Program's “Confirmation of Financial Resource” for more details.
The Department of Psychology will contact you to schedule your interview.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Graduate Enrollment Specialist Lydia Carrascosa 395115
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
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Contact Us
- Psychology and Special Education
- 903.886.5940
- [email protected]
