Do you enjoy helping others, solving problems, and being part of a team? Have you always wanted to work with children? Become a school psychologist, one of the top jobs in Social Services ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
The School Psychology Program at Mason encompasses three years of full-time study, with an internship of 1,200 hours in the third year. For most students, the program follows a cohort model, meaning that students admitted for the same year take the same classes and field experiences or practica in sequence at the same time. In the classroom, students obtain knowledge of evidence-based services in assessment and evaluation, counseling, consultation, prevention, and intervention. Students also take classes in research methods and statistics. Across the five practica and internship, student integrate the skills of a practicing school psychologist with the classroom knowledge.
A Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in School Psychology is awarded upon completion of the first 36 credit hours. However, the M.A. is not considered a terminal degree and is not sufficient for a License with an Endorsement in School Psychology. An Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology is awarded upon completion of the remaining 30 credits of the program. Completion of the Ed.S. does allow students to seek a License with an endorsement in School Psychology and National Certification as a School Psychologist (NCSP).
Our faculty and staff have strong relationships with our local schools, and many of our GMU alumni have elected to remain in the metropolitan DC area. A number of our alumni have risen to positions of leadership in the schools and enjoy partnering with the faculty to train the next generation of professionals as supervisors, guest lecturers, and adjunct faculty. At the same time, our graduates are qualified to be Nationally Certified School Psychologists and have obtained internships and jobs in states ranging from New York, to Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California, to name a few.
The field of school psychology continues to expand and grow. Become a professional in this dynamic and important profession.
If you have additional questions, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.
School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.
The majority of the graduates of the program are employed as school psychologists in public school districts across the United States. Our graduates also work in private and charter schools, universities, independent practice, and in educational research. More information about School Psychology as a career can be found at National Association of School Psychologists Careers.
In the third year of the program, students complete a 1200-hour internship in a school district. These positions are advertised by schools and in the metropolitan DC area, they are generally paid. Interns go through an interview process, and once hired, they are considered employees of the school. While many of our students elect to remain in the Maryland/Virginia schools, our students are eligible and prepared for internships across the country. Our students have sought and obtained internships nationally. Students receive supervision from their field-based intern supervisor as well as from university faculty. Upon successful completion of internship and graduation from the program, students take the national Praxis Exam in school psychology. This leads to licensure by the State Board of Education as a school psychologist. Students are also eligible for National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP), which is an additional certificate that is well respected in the field. Because the Mason program is an NASP-approved program, the application process for the NCSP is streamlined.
Complete and detailed requirements for the Mason School Psychology Training Program internship appear in a separate document entitled The School Psychology Internship: A Handbook of Guidelines.
George Mason University will verify completion of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) state-approved preparation program at the graduate or undergraduate level. Such verification does not guarantee the issuance of a Virginia Collegiate Professional, Postgraduate Professional, or Pupil Personnel license from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is solely the student's responsibility to comply with all requirements for licensure by the Commonwealth. Under Virginia law, a social security number is required for licensure.
This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require George Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.
The following 36 credits of coursework will apply to the Master of Arts (MA) degree in Psychology, concentration in School Psychology:
*Students must register for at least 3 credits in two semesters.
Fall Semester
(classes starting in August) |
Spring Semester
(classes starting in January) |
Summer Semester
(classes starting in May, June, or July) |
Priority*: January 15
Space Available: February 15 |
Applications not accepted for this term |
Applications not accepted for this term |
For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.
* Priority deadline ensures consideration for the intended semester as well as financial aid options for students. Programs will continue to review applications until at capacity. Some programs do not review applications past the priority deadline.
All application materials must be submitted through George Mason’s online graduate application. In addition to meeting general university admissions requirements, applicants will need to provide the requirements below.
To be considered for graduate studies, the following items are evaluated during the admission review process:
- Graduate application and fee
- 750- to 1,000-word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
- Current resume
- Two letters of recommendation: Applicants should follow the instructions included in the online application to submit the recommendation forms directly to their recommenders. Mason does not accept paper recommendations. Recommendations should be professional or academic in nature.
- Transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the United States. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions information page for specific requirements regarding uploading unofficial transcripts.
- Applicants with transcripts from institutions outside of the United States could have additional requirements. Please refer to the How To Apply page for specific requirements about submitting international transcripts, evaluations, and English language proficiency.
Admission to graduate programs at George Mason University is competitive. Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their academic backgrounds, results of standardized exams (if required by the program), work experience, and any additional evidence of potential success in the program. Faculty admissions review is a holistic review of requirements as well as the applicant’s potential academic and professional success upon completion of the program.
At a minimum all admitted students must have:
- An earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts. Expectation of an earned baccalaureate prior to the first day of classes for the term for which the student is applying will also meet this requirement. See the graduate admissions policy for more information.
- A minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in baccalaureate study. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply, addressing previous academic challenges and highlighting evidence for future success in their goal statement.
- International students should reference Admission of International Students for additional requirements.
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$748.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$948.50
(includes MSF*; discounted from $1,679.50) |
| VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program** |
$635.50
(includes MSF*) |
| CEHD Course Fee |
$25 - $84 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$773.50 - $832.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$979.50 - $1,038.50 |
| Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program* |
$660.50 - $719.50 |
Graduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$60 |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
The school psychology curriculum is sequential with students who follow a cohort model taking classes at the same time. The sequence of classes is found under the courses tab. There is also a specific sequence of classes for students who elect to pursue the program part-time. Students who wish to enroll part-time are encouraged to discuss the sequence with faculty before enrolling.
Although students follow a set curriculum, advising from faculty is welcomed, frequent, and ongoing. The range of advising topics is broad. Common advising topics include practicum placements, student goals for a particular class or the program, how to obtain an internship, or maintaining a balance of school, work, and life. All the faculty in the School Psychology Program are involved in advising.
Forms
Current students should visit MyMason for important forms and documents.
Ellen Rowe
Academic Program Coordinator
Nicole Beadles
Holly Klee
Danielle Palmer