Frequently Asked Questions

The program does not require a specific undergraduate degree or course of study. Although most of our students have undergraduate preparation in psychology or education, individuals with other types of training have been successful.

One of the most important things for you to consider is what you want to do when you finish the program. If you are interested in seeking licensure as a school psychologist within a school system and are committed to becoming an informed consumer of research to guide your practice, the M.Ed./Ed.S. program may be the best professional match for you. The specialist program takes approximately three years to complete, full-time, including coursework, practicum and internship. If you are passionate about conducting original research, interested in assuming leadership roles in higher education (e.g. becoming a faculty member), and/or wish to become license-eligible through the Ohio State Board of Psychology as an independent provider, the M.Ed./Ph.D. program may be the best professional match for you. The doctoral program takes an average of 7 years to complete; includes additional coursework to inform roles in research and leadership; and includes advanced practicum, comprehensive examinations, dissertation, and a doctoral level internship.

The majority of Ed.S. students enter the program following the completion of a Bachelor’s degree. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree will first enter the M.Ed. program, since attainment of a masters degree is necessary before entering the Ed.S. program. When making an application, check the box on the School Psychology Supplemental Data Form that says “M.Ed./Ed.S. Program”and complete all of the application requirements for this plan of study. If admitted, once you successfully complete the M.Ed. degree, you will matriculate into the Ed.S. program and complete those requirements as well. The M.Ed./Ed.S. program of study is a combination of the M.Ed. coursework (generally the first year of the sequence) and the Ed.S. coursework, as illustrated on the sequence of coursework.

The M.Ed. is a “paper degree,” and does not fulfill requirements for licensure as a school psychologist or for any other credential in most states, including Ohio. You must complete all Ed.S. degree requirements (or an equivalent specialist level degree) in order to be eligible for licensure as a school psychologist in the state of Ohio and in most other states.

Ideally, students begin the program in the summer. This follows from how the course sequence was originally designed. This requires applicants to turn in all materials by the December 15 deadline. Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview in February and, if admitted, begin coursework in the summer (i.e., June). However, the program currently has three admissions cycles (i.e., summer, fall and spring), and students may opt to begin during the fall or spring semester. If admitted, these options will involve working closely with your faculty advisor to ensure that you take the appropriate course sequence.

Yes. Students who are admitted in November may begin coursework in January (spring semester), and students who are admitted in July may begin coursework in August (fall semester). Students successfully enter the program out of sequence nearly every semester.

Yes, students who are admitted may request to defer enrollment until a later date. If admitted and you wish to make such a request, we ask that it be made in writing to the Coordinator at your earliest convenience.

Although it is possible to complete some early coursework on a part-time basis, the requirements for practicum and internship are such that it is not possible to complete all program requirements on a part-time basis. Because courses are offered once per year in a prescribed sequence, missing one course could delay your time to completion up to one year. In addition, students who have taken coursework on a part-time basis have reported that they have more difficulty feeling connected with their peers and staying on track academically. Whenever possible, faculty will work with students who may require part-time enrollment for a portion of their training.

This part of the application is designed to provide a sample of your professional/scholarly writing. The writing sample you submit as part of your application should focus on a topic related to the education, treatment, and/or development of school-aged children. If you do not currently have a sample that meets this requirement, you will need to develop an original writing sample that meets the following guidelines: (1) it focuses on the education, treatment, and/or development of children; and (2) includes relevant citations and references, following the style guidelines of the current publication manual of the American Psychological Association. Note: a technical report is not a substitute for this requirement.

Letters of reference may be requested from any individuals who can comment about your potential for success in graduate study. If your work setting is primarily in an applied setting, consider whether or not your employer can provide such an assessment of your potential.

The School Psychology program no longer requires applicants to take the GRE.

Following the application deadline (December 15, June 15, or October 15), the faculty admission committee reviews complete applications and invites all applicants who are not eliminated due to low performance indicators for an interview with faculty. These interviews are arranged by the Program Coordinator and typically involve a 30 minute interview with the program faculty following a 30 minute interview with current school psychology students.

We encourage applicants to come to campus for an interview, whenever possible. However, online/virtual interviews can be arranged for students unable to make an on-campus interview. When you are contacted about the on-campus interview, request an online/virtual interview and this will be arranged for you.

Applicants are typically notified about the admission decision within 1-2 weeks following the interview. Applicants who are admitted will receive a detailed letter from the Program Coordinator. In order to accept admission, this letter must be signed and dated, and returned to the Program Coordinator by a designated date.

Kent State offers a carefully planned sequence of experiential learning opportunities for their students. Each year, the level of field work increases in hands-on opportunities. The first year, students are enrolled in Practicum I, which requires a minimum of 25 hours of exposure to different schools each semester. The second year, students are enrolled in Practicum II, which requires a minimum of 70 hours of exposure (1 day a week) with a supervising school psychologist each semester. Students are usually assigned a practicum site each semester by a faculty member, so students are given two different school experiences. The third year, students are placed at a school as a full time intern. This means students work regular hours for the duration of the school year gaining experience under the supervision of a school psychologist.