Prerequisite Coursework:
Must be completed prior to admission with no grade below "B" allowed. Equivalent GSU courses are in parentheses.
- Developmental Psychology (PSYC 3201)
- Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 3430)
- Cognitive, Behavioral, or Educational Psychology
- (PSYC 3520, 4524, or EDUC 4440)
- Research Methods (PSYC 4750)
- Statistics for the Social Sciences (STAT 4720)
- Foundations of Education (EDUC 2310)
- Foundations of Special Education (SPED 4100)
- Substance Abuse (ADDS 5100 or equivalent)
- Writing for Psychology (PSYC 3102, evaluation, or 4.5 on analytical writing section of GRE)
Admission Requirements:
Admission to the program occurs annually (Fall only). Complete Admissions packets are accepted February 1st through March 15th. Meeting or exceeding the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission to the program. The minimum criteria for admission are described below. Incomplete application packets will NOT be reviewed for admission.
Note: The deadline for submission of complete application packets for Fall 2013 has been extended. Please contact the Program Coordinator for more information.
Please submit the following materials together in one envelope to the Psychology Advising Office (G386):
1. University Application for Admission. Apply online at www.govst.edu/apply
2. $50 application fee
3. One set of official (unopened) transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. Applicants must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
4. Proof of having taken the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within five years of intended admission. Applicants are recommended to have GRE combined scores of 316 on the Verbal and Quantitative sections (or a combined Verbal and Quantitative score of 1050 if taken prior to August 2011); and 4.5 on the analytical writing section (Click here for GRE testing information)
5. Evidence of satisfactory professional writing and analysis by one of the following:
a. A grade of "B" or higher in PSYC3102 (Thinking and Writing in Psychology) or its equivalent;
b. A score of 4.5 or higher on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE General test.
Applicants not meeting this criterion may have to complete PSYC 3102 or its equivalent prior to or upon admission to the program.
6. An essay outlining the applicant’s purpose in seeking a specialist degree in School Psychology and long-term goals.
7. Personal Reference Forms from three professionals/professors who can attest to the applicant’s academic and/or professional capabilities in the field of School Psychology. (click here to download the form)
8. Completed Statement of Character Form. (click here to download the form)
9. Proof of basic competency met by one of the following:
a. Official evidence of having passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) of the Illinois Certification Testing System;
b. Official ACT Plus Writing score report demonstrating a composite score of at least 22;
c. Official SAT score report demonstrating a composite (mathematics and critical reading) score of at least 1030
Note: The writing subtest must have been taken for the ACT or SAT; however, the writing score is not included in the composite score requirement for either test. To verify and submit your ACT/SAT score report to the State of Illinois, please contact Renee Zdych, Certification Officer at GSU, at rzdych@govst.edu.
d. Official evidence of having passed the previous Illinois Basic Skills Test (300 or 096) within 10 years.
Note: If the applicant holds a valid Illinois Educator Certificate or License and the Illinois Basic Skills test was previously passed for this issuance, the TAP/ACT/SAT test will not be required. In this case, the applicant would need to supply an official copy of their Illinois Educator Certificate or License as verification.
Additional Admission Requirements:
In addition to submitting the elements above for admissions consideration, applicants must:
1. Complete the specified prerequisite coursework (see below) with no grade below B allowed. If these are not completed at the time of admission, they must be completed prior to attaining candidacy or taking courses for which they are prerequisite;
2. Pass an Illinois State Criminal Background check (only applicants approved to interview will need to complete this step);
3. Complete an admission’s interview (if selected).
