School psychology MA and Specialist Certificate
Become certified to practice school psychology
The MA and specialist certificate (SC) in education & school psychological services program is designed for future practicing school psychologists. Upon completion of the program, you’ll be eligible to receive your state and national school psychologist credential to work with students, teachers, families, and other school staff to help all students succeed—academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.
Our program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
Why study school psychology at the University of Minnesota?
- Challenging, cutting edge training preparation with a focus on justice and equity
- 100% of our students are employed in their field within a year of graduation*
- One of the strongest, most established programs in the nation
- Innovative faculty and students who are state and national leaders
- Faculty commitment to and expertise in diversity, educational equity, student mental health, and social justice
- Over $10 million in research and graduate training grants
- Compassionate, nimble in responding to COVID-19
- Committed to advancing antiracism
- 85-100% of students present and publish research each year*
- Fieldwork in diverse, urban schools. Start your first semester as part of robust peer teams.
- NASP accredited
- Program Annual Report and Student Outcomes Data
- More information on program goals and competencies
- View the University of Minnesota's School Psychology Diversity Statement.
*Percentages of students since 2012
Careers
School psychologists: In-demand and well-compensated
- 100% of our students are employed in the field upon graduation*
- Expected employment growth: 11% between 2012 and 2022**
- Mean 9-month salary (full-time, school-based practitioner): $64,000-$71,000***
*Percentages of students since 2012
**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
***National Association of School Psychologists
Specialist-level (MA and Specialist Certificate) school psychologists
As a specialist-level school psychologist, you’ll work in public and private schools, preschools, and state departments of education. Recently, our students have found internship placements with Minneapolis Public Schools, Mahtomedi Public Schools, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, North Suburban Special Education District (IL), and Summit School District (CO).
What to expect
Note: We no longer require GRE test scores for application and admission to the program.
All application materials must be received December 1 for admission in September of the following year. Files not complete by December 1 will not be reviewed.
School psychology MA and Specialist Certificate (SC) in Education and School Psychological Services students complete two years of coursework followed by a year-long internship. All students are prepared to be scientist-practitioners through courses and fieldwork emphasizing research-based practices, coursework in research methods and statistics, and completion of a supervised research project.
- See the program handbook for a full description of research expectations and thesis requirements.
- Visit the MA course catalog and SC course catalog for full course listings and descriptions.
- More information on program goals and competencies
Tuition
Visit the College of Education and Human Development's Finance and Funding page for information on tuition.
Funding
Still have questions? Review our frequently asked questions or program handbook.
Faculty
Lisa Aguilar
Assistant professor
Currently accepting doctoral advisees.
Faith Miller
Associate professor
Currently accepting doctoral advisees.
Kirsten Newell
Assistant professor
Currently accepting doctoral advisees.
Amanda L. Sullivan
Birkmaier Education Leadership Professor, program coordinator
Currently accepting doctoral advisees.
Instructors and supervisors
Annie Hansen-Burke
Senior lecturer
Jessie Kember
Teaching assistant professor, fieldwork coordinator, and director of clinical placements
Mollie Weeks
Lecturer
Sarah Wollersheim Shervey
Lecturer