School Psychology, MA & AC
Open doors to a rewarding career focused on supporting students' mental health, academic achievement and social development.
Advocate for Students
Prepare for New York State certification with UB’s NASP-approved school psychology program. Learn to use assessments and data to guide interventions, collaborate with families and teachers and tailor services to each student’s unique needs. Gain expertise in assessment, consultation and counseling while fostering respect for diversity to create inclusive environments that support mental health and academic success.
Speak Up
Keba M. Rogers, BA ’00, MA ’04, PhD ’10, has recently made waves in psychology and education with her successful business ventures, including her consultancy practice, Keba S.P.E.A.K.S., LLC. Established in 2021, Keba S.P.E.A.K.S. works with schools and organizations around the world, serving people through empowerment, activation, knowledge and support (S.P.E.A.K.S.).
Points of Distinction
From the very start of the program, you’ll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working in schools and assessing children. Beginning in the fall of your first semester, this early immersion in real-world settings will allow you to apply your classroom learning to practice, building essential skills in assessment and intervention as you work alongside experienced professionals.
You'll have the chance to deepen your experience by working closely with faculty on research projects. These collaborative opportunities allow you to explore issues in school psychology, contribute to the field’s knowledge base and develop research skills. By engaging in projects, you'll enhance your academic experience and broaden your career prospects.
You’ll learn to apply your understanding of inter-individual differences in every aspect of your professional work, including assessment, consultation and counseling. This knowledge empowers you to tailor school services to meet the needs of each student. By fostering respect for diversity, you’ll help create inclusive environments that support the mental health and academic success of all students.
Program Overview
| Academic credential granted | Master of Arts (MA) with Advanced Certificate (AC) |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 61 |
| Time to completion | 6 full-time semesters |
| Course delivery | On campus |
| School-based internship hours | 1,200 |
| Application deadline | Fall: Feb. 1 |
Year One
FALL | Semester 1 (12 credits)
CEP 590 Psychology Measurement and Intellectual Assessment
CEP 640 Perspectives in School Psychology
CEP 653 Foundations of Counseling Theories
CEP 656 Collaboration for School Safety
SPRING | Semester 2 (12 credits)
CEP 541 Human Growth and Development
CEP 551 School-wide Practices for Diverse Learners
CEP 592 Psychological Assessment of Children and Adolescents
CEP 644 Counseling with Children and Adolescents
SUMMER | Semester 3 (6 credits)
CEP 634 Multicultural Counseling
CEP 692 Specialized Techniques for Adolescents
Year Two
FALL | Semester 4 (13 credits)
CEP 522 Statistical Methods I
CEP 593C Practicum in School Psychology
CEP 695 Psychopathology Interventions
CEP 650 Behavioral Therapy with Children and Adolescents
SPRING | Semester 5 (12 credits)
CEP 593D Practicum in School Psychology
CEP 664 Process of Consultation
CEP 694 Interventions to Develop Academic Skills
CEP 700 Research Project in School Psychology
Year Three
FALL | Semester 6 (3 credits)
CEP 699 Internship in School Psychology
SPRING | Semester 7 (3 credits)
CEP 699 Internship in School Psychology
Standardized Testing No Longer Required
In an effort to make the application process more equitable, the GRE/MAT is no longer required for admissions consideration. If you still plan to take the GRE/MAT exam, you can send your scores through the testing agency, and they will automatically be added to your application; however, they are not required for admission consideration to this program.
You must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Contact information for at least three individuals who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Resume/CV
- Statement of intent regarding why you want to become a school psychologist. Please include any experiences in working with children/adolescents and/or experiences working within the school setting.
- Diverse backgrounds statement: Describe any interests and experiences you have had working with individuals from different backgrounds than yourself (e.g., ethnic/racial, cultural, socio-economic, religious, ability status, sexual orientation). How have these experiences influenced you? (300-400 words)
Admission Interview: An interview is required to be considered for admission to this program.
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admission Decision: The admission decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
In-State Residency Tuition
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Test, the PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic, or DET (Duolingo English Test).
- TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper-based test and 79 for internet-based test
- IELTS Academic Test minimum score is 6.5 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- DET minimum score is 120 overall
- Financial documentation: International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
Graduates go on to become school psychologists.
Recently revised federal regulations under 34 CFR §668 now require the University at Buffalo (UB) to determine whether academic programs leading to professional licensure meet the educational requirements for licensure in states where UB students reside.
As such, this attestation outlines the responsibilities of UB and students in our Master of Arts (MA) with advanced certificate (AC) in school psychology program.
Our MA/AC in school psychology program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). After successful completion of our program requirements, students are eligible for New York State School Psychology Provisional Certification. Furthermore, our program meets all Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) requirements of NASP.
The University at Buffalo has designed an educational program curriculum for MA/AC in school psychology and currently has made no determination that the curriculum is sufficient to meet the licensure and certification requirements for an advanced practice in any of the 50 states and territories.
Therefore, students enrolling in the MA/AC in school psychology program while residing outside of New York State should be aware that:
- UB cannot guarantee the MA/AC program meets all the requirements for licensure in a student’s state of residence or any state.
- If a student seeks to practice as a licensed school psychologist in a state other than New York, it is the student’s responsibility to determine that state’s specific licensure requirements beyond the curricular requirements for UB’s MA/AC in school psychology program, and to seek additional guidance from their state’s licensing board. The NASP website provides a comprehensive directory of licensing requirements by state. Students are also instructed to consult with the MA/AC program director and department leadership for assistance with this process.
Disclaimer: The University at Buffalo cannot provide legal advice or guarantee professional certification or licensure eligibility in any state. Students are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable state certification and licensure requirements. UB is not a state licensing authority and cannot guarantee that a student will be issued a professional license or professional certification in any state.