Have a profound impact on students' learning and development.
School psychologists help meet the academic, social-emotional, and mental health needs of children and families in Illinois and across the nation. Governors State’s Specialist in School Psychology program equips you to deliver a continuum of direct and indirect services to children, families, educators, and administrators as you enhance student learning and promote safe, healthy school climates. You will learn to meet the needs of children, from early childhood through young adulthood.
The School Psychology program is grounded in the scientist-practitioner model—a training model that provides graduate students with a strong research foundation—and emphasizes school-based service delivery that is empirically supported, data-driven, and culturally competent.
Reach Your Career Goals
As a graduate of the School Psychology program, you will have achieved both a Psychology M.A. and a School Psychology Ed.S. Upon program completion, you will be eligible to apply for practice in Illinois. As a full-time licensed school psychologist, you can work in diverse educational settings, providing support to students with learning, behavioral, and emotional challenges. You could also pursue roles in developing and implementing school-wide mental health programs to foster a positive learning environment. Additionally, you can choose to advance to a leadership position within educational institutions or contribute to research that shapes future practices in school psychology.
Why Become a School Psychologist?
As of 2024, the median national salary for full-time school psychologists in the United States is approximately $69,000 per year (PayScale) (NASP Online). This figure reflects a general midpoint in the salary range for this profession across various regions and levels of experience.
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(Salary Sources:(Talent) | (ZipRecruiter) | (PayScale)
Delivery Format
Achieve your Ed.S. in four years. Governors State’s 68 credit-hour School Psychology Training Program is a part-time, cohort-based, dual degree
program. Upon completion, students will earn both a Master of Arts (M.A.) and
an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology.
Now Accepting a Second Round of Applications for Fall 2024!
You may still have time to apply. Additional applications for the Fall 2024 cohort will be accepted until all slots are full. For more information, contact Dr. Shaalein Lopez (slopez5@govst.edu) or Professor Bonnie Dickey (bdickey@govst.edu), or start your application here https://apply.govst.edu/apply/.
Information Sessions
Virtual Information Sessions are held periodically prior to the priority application deadline. Though this season's scheduled information sessions have passed, we welcome you to contact Dr. Shaalein Lopez (slopez5@govst.edu) or Professor Bonnie Dickey (bdickey@govst.edu) for more information about our School Psychology program.
Make a difference, and become a school psychologist!
School psychologists are in high demand! In its 2023 listing, U.S. News & World Report ranked "School Psychologist" as the 3rd best Social Service Job in the United States.
Program Coordinators
Student Testimonials
"Being a part of GovState's School Psych program means so much to me! Since being here, I have been able to learn from the best professors, work alongside supportive classmates, and explore educational opportunities. I know that the knowledge and the connections I have made here will set me up for success in the future. I am happy that I chose GovState for my graduate school experience!"
-Regina Brock
"My learning experience in the program has been Amazing! I am grateful for the lasting connections I’ve made in my cohort. The professors and staff at GovState truly care about equipping students with the tools they need to be successful in the program and field."
-Tatimah Cheatom
"I appreciate the time and effort that GovState professors, administrators, and staff dedicate to preparing competent, conscious, and skillful specialists in the field of school psychology. GovState’s School Psychology program transformed my liking for this profession into a passion for becoming an exceptional and distinguished school psychologist."
-Yadira Bustamante