The Educational Specialist Program (Ed.S.)

The educational specialist degree (EdS) is universally accepted for the degree held by practicing School Psychology in school districts across the United States. The University of Arizona offers the EdS degee at two locations (Tucson and Chandler, Arizona), with each venue affording its own unique opportunities. Regardless of which site they select, students wishing to emphasize practice over research and seeking prompt entry to the job market may find the Ed.S. in School Psychology option especially appealing. The University of Arizona’s School Psychology programs provides a comprehensive and integrated curriculum that allows graduates to sit for Nationally Certified School Psychologist examination (i.e., NCSP). In both Tucson and Chandler, the program emphasizes professional and clinical practice, as well as scholarship, within school psychology. The EdS does not require a thesis or dissertation.

The Tucson Ed.S. option: This option has existed for more than 45 years and continues to offer several advantages. First, it is integrated with the University of Arizona's PhD program in School Psychology. EdS and PhD students in Tucson sit in the same classes and share many field placement experiences. Second, full-time University of Arizona faculty members serve as principal instructors for this option. Third, the University of Arizona's vast research and cultural resources are fully available for these EdS students. Courses in the Tucson EdS option are taught during fall and spring semesters (generally not during summer sessions); the program requires for most students four semesters on campus plus a two-semester, school-based internship. Additional information about the Tucson EdS option is available under Handbooks and Materials section below. Additional material can be found by contacting the school psychology program director, Dr. Richard J. Morris, School Psychology Training Director, at morrisr@email.arizona.edu.

The Chandler FastTrack Ed.S. option: This is a new option, and it has several associated advantages. First, all courses for this program are offered in a convenient venue in downtown Chandler with newly renovated classrooms, abundant free parking, and easy freeway access. Second, the University of Arizona has a strong array of seasoned practicing school psychologists from the Phoenix-metropolitan area to provide instruction in courses that parallel those traditionally offered in Tucson. Third, and most important to many students, the Chandler EdS comprises a FastTrack option. Students begin the program in June of Year I with the program designed for them to finish, ready to seek certification and enter the job market, 25 months later. Such quick program completion is accomplished because students enrolled in summer sessions (for Years I, II, and III) and semester classes (for Years I and II). Additional information is available by contacting the Chandler FastTrack EdS coordinator, Dr. David Wodrich at dwodrich@email.arizona.edu.

The educational specialist degree (Ed.S.) curriculum prepares graduates to work as certified school psychologists in school settings across the nation. The curriculum meets the requirements for taking the national examination to become a nationally certified school psychologist. The Ed.S. program accepts between four and eight students per year. The Program follows the scholar-practitioner training model, which has a primary emphasis on professional or clinical practice of the discipline, but also has extensive expectations for production of scholarly work, such as dissertation research.

A fingerprint criminal background check is required by all school districts and psychological services agencies where our EdS students are placed for their practicum, externship, internship and clinical assistantship work. The fingerprinting and criminal background check will take place during the first two weeks of a student's first semester on campus.

Handbooks and Materials

• Ed.S. Program Handbook (pdf, 850kb) [revised 2011 July] (For information about the Chandler Ed.S., please contact Professor David Wodrich at dwodrich@email.arizona.edu.)
• Practicum Handbook (pdf, 420KB) [revised 2009 November]
• Practicum Log (external link, new window) (xls, 40KB) [revised 2009 July]
• Department Forms (external link)

School Psychology Faculty Information

The School Psychology Specialty faculty consists of highly active and productive scholars with a wide scope of relevant academic specialties, ideologies and ethno-cultural experiences. The research and scholarship activities of several of our faculty have had a marked impact on the field of school psychology, and research programs directed by our faculty have resulted in direct services to thousands of school-age children throughout the nation. Interests of our faculty include applied psychometrics, neuropsychological study of at-risk learners, nondiscriminatory assessment, early childhood cognition, childhood emotional disturbance and child psychotherapy.

School Psychology Faculty:

• Richard J. Morris
• Michelle Perfect
• David L. Wodrich
• Kristin C. Thompson

Admissions

The School Psychology Ed.S. Program encourages applications by students from diverse cultural and individual backgrounds.

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