School psychology
Our graduates lead, innovate, and transform the field
School psychologists help create learning environments where students, families and school staff feel safe, welcome, and supported. Our program approaches school psychology from an anti-racist scientific-practitioner orientation and will prepare you to become a leader, innovator, and change agent.
Our program has always been on the leading edge of the field. Today, our focus is on practices and systems change to advance justice and equity. As a school psychology student, you'll learn the foundations of psychology and school psychological research. Your training in research-based prevention, intervention, consultation, and assessment will prepare you to work with teachers, caregivers, community members, and staff to help students thrive and to support social justice by dismantling ineffective, harmful systems.
You'll also contribute to the advancement of school psychology practices and policies by creating scholarship that addresses current issues and pushes the field forward. Through two recent grants, we are proud to offer funding for 28 graduate assistantships per year, so learn more today!
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 $12 million in research and graduate training grants
- Compassionate, nimble in responding to COVID-19
- Committed to advancing antiracism
- 85-100% of students present or publish research each year*
- Fieldwork in diverse, urban schools. Start your first semester as part of robust peer teams.
- Accredited/approved by APA and NASP
- More information on program goals and competencies
- View the University of Minnesota's School Psychology Diversity Statement.
- Develop competency to provide equity-centered mental health services or supports for multilingual learners in K12 schools.
- Funding is available for 28 graduate assistantships per year.
*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): $72,000-$84,000***
- Mean 9-month salary (university faculty): $77,800***
- Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data
*Percentages of students since 2012
**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
***National Association of School Psychologists
Specialist-level school psychologists
Specialist-level school psychologists work in public and private schools, preschools, and state departments of education. Recently, our students have found internship placements with Minneapolis Public Schools, Robbinsdale Area Schools, South Saint Paul Public Schools, Southwest Metro Intermediate District 288, and Denver Public Schools.
Doctoral-level school psychologists
Doctoral-level school psychologists: work in schools, universities, mental health agencies, research centers and think tanks, clinical settings, state departments of education, and independent practices as faculty, researchers, clinicians, and more. The program emphasizes preparation of future faculty, so all students are trained not only in research, but in higher education teaching, supervision, and mentoring as well.
Programs and degrees
Coursework for both degrees includes a year-long internship. Choose between two degree options:
Master's of Arts and Specialist Certificate in education and school psychological services (MA and SC) (60 credits)
You’ll be eligible to receive your state and national school psychologist credential to work with students in schools.
Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) (90 credits)
You’ll be eligible to receive your state and national school psychologist credential, and the license to practice psychology. You can become a university faculty member, conduct research, work with students in schools, or work with children and youth in other settings as a licensed psychologist.
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.
Tuition
Visit the College of Education and Human Development's Finance and Funding page for information on tuition.
Funding
Diversity
Our school psychology faculty are committed to and are experts in diversity, educational equity, student mental health, and social justice. We prepare students in research-based prevention, intervention, consultation, and assessment which equips them to become change agents in their school communities. Our graduates work with teachers, caregivers, and staff to help students thrive and to support social justice by dismantling ineffective, harmful systems.
- View our School Psychology Diversity Statement.
- Learn more about the Department of Educational Psychology’s commitment to change and to seek equity, social justice, and anti-racism.
Core program 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
Annie Hansen-Burke
Senior lecturer
Jessie Kember
Teaching assistant professor, fieldwork coordinator, and director of clinical placements
Currently accepting specialist advisees
Mollie Weeks
Lecturer
Currently accepting specialist advisees
Sarah Wollersheim Shervey
Lecturer
Currently accepting specialist advisees
Affiliates
Alisha Wackerle-Hollman
Assistant research professor
News
The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association.
Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-336-5979 / Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/