Educational Specialist in School Psychology
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Alverno College has been awarded a five-year, $2.89 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education to increase the number of highly trained, bilingual, and racially and ethnically diverse school-based mental health professionals. Through this grant, we will be able to offer students scholarships, provide mentorship, and place them in a job in a high-needs school district. Ask your admissions counselor for more information regarding this scholarship opportunity!
The Alverno Advantage - Multicultural and Multilingual School Psychology (MMSP) Certificate
With the help of bilingual school psychologists and experts in multilingual education and counseling, Alverno College has developed a sequence of courses that trains all of our Ed.S. students in best practices in assessment, consultation, and intervention for multicultural and multilingual learners. The certificate, called the Multicultural and Multilingual School Psychology (MMSP) certificate launches Summer 2024.
In addition to specialized courses, our bilingual students receive specialized training and supervision by bilingual school psychologists. Multilingual students have the option to receive a "Language Endorsement" which will give our bilingual students an advantage when applying for bilingual school psychology positions. Alverno's School Psychology program will assess student's professional language proficiency so that school districts are assured that our students can deliver school psychological services in a language other than English on day one.
Are you a monolingual or multilingual school psychologist looking for training to support your work with multicultural and multilingual learners? Click here to learn about our MMSP certificate for practicing school psychologists.
Help every child learn and thrive
A school psychologist makes a difference in children’s lives by supporting students’ academic success and mental health. Working closely with teachers, administrators and families, you’ll assess students’ needs and provide evidence-based interventions so that every child can learn and thrive. This interdisciplinary graduate degree blends education and psychology so you have the tools to help students who are struggling academically, socially, behaviorally or emotionally.
Alverno's three-year program includes two degrees in one: You will first complete a 30-credit Master of Science in Educational Psychology, which counts toward the more advanced 60-credit Educational Specialist degree. Once you complete the Educational Specialist degree, you will be eligible to become a licensed school psychologist in Wisconsin.
Have you been reluctant to start a school psychology program due to geographic or scheduling barriers? Alverno’s School Psychology Program holds classes on the weekends both in-person and online, offering students flexible options to complete their degree. The program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists and approved by the Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction. Graduates of Alverno’s program are eligible for licensure as a school psychologist both locally, in Wisconsin, and nationally. In addition, NASP accreditation enables Alverno graduates to apply for a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential. This credential is achieving growing recognition among state school psychology licensing boards and allows for reciprocal certification in selected states outside of Wisconsin.
“Alverno has been very supportive and gives us the tools that we need to succeed in the program. Our instructors give us feedback and the opportunity to try again, which helps us grow. And as a working mom, I appreciated that our classes met every other weekend.”
—Maritza, MS ’19, EdS ’21
View: Program Annual Report and Student Outcomes Data
Learn from the best
Educators from around the world continue to study and emulate Alverno’s approach to learning and assessment, and as more school districts adopt this educational model, you’ll have the advantage of experiencing it firsthand. You’ll learn from educators who are leaders in their field and who are on the forefront of the latest trends and changes in education and school psychology.
On-the-ground training
You’ll gain experience applying your skills and knowledge in a school setting under supervision by a practicing school psychologist. During the second year of the program, you’ll spend 20 hours a week at a school for practicum courses, and you’ll spend your third year working full time as a school psychology intern.
School psychologist vs. school counselor
It’s common to confuse school psychologists and school counselors, but there are some important distinctions. School psychologists, who are required to have more education and training, work primarily with special education students to improve academic and behavioral outcomes, though they’re also involved in prevention and intervention efforts. School counselors work with the general school population on social/emotional issues and college/career guidance.
Get involved
Get connected with fellow students by joining the Alverno chapter of the School Psychology Student Association. You can also get involved in the National Association of School Psychologists and Wisconsin School Psychologists Association.
Internships for the School Psychology student
Alverno offers a wide network of placements for students who are interested in becoming school psychologists. We’re connected to more than 150 private and public schools throughout the metro Milwaukee area and beyond, and our students do their practica and internships at a variety of urban and suburban schools.
How you can use your degree
This degree allows you to make a difference and make a living. School psychologists are in such demand that many Wisconsin school districts can’t fill all their openings. Plus, U.S. News & World Report ranks this profession as No. 1 in the best social service jobs category, with a national median salary of $70,580. Most school psychologists work in public K-12 school districts, though some work in private schools, charter schools, juvenile justice programs, universities and private practice. Some school psychologists eventually take on related administrative roles.
Click here to view the current School Psychology graduate program handbook.
GET IN TOUCH!
Have questions about studying at Alverno? We invite you to connect with our Admissions team to learn more.
Ready for what's next
