SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY AT EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Eastern's program in school psychology is offered under the auspices of the Department of Psychology. Eastern is located in Charleston, Illinois. The town has a population of about 20,000. For those interested in a quiet setting, a wide variety of university activities and close academic supervision, Eastern offers these opportunities. The Department of Psychology has 20 full-time faculty, over 500 undergraduate and 35-40 graduate majors. The Department has a diverse faculty, reflecting many different viewpoints and orientations. Eastern's Department of Psychology offers a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology (M.A.) and a Specialist in School Psychology (S.S.P.).
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
The School Psychology program is designed to prepare individuals to function in a school setting and in a role that requires interest in the educational and personal adjustment of children and adolescents. It is anticipated the graduate students will develop skills in assessment, therapeutic techniques, educational remediation, consultation, program development, and staff training and research.
Although the primary thrust of the program is to certify school psychologists in the State of Illinois, many current graduates migrate to other states where they also qualify for state certification. An Illinois school psychologist must complete a full year of internship in an approved public school setting.
Required Undergraduate Prerequisites
- General Psychology
- Research Methods
- Statistical Methods
- Child Psychology/Human Development
- Abnormal Psychology
- Behavior Management/Modification or Learning
The following courses are highly recommended:
- Adolescent Psychology
- Physiological Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychology of Exceptional Children
- Psychological Measurement
Students can be provisionally admitted. Prerequisites may be taken concurrently with graduate study and will extend the length of the program.
Description of the School Psychology Graduate Program
For those students pursuing careers in School Psychology, the Specialist in School Psychology (S.S.P.) degree is granted en route to meeting state certification requirements. The specialist degree is generally considered to be the equivalent of a master's degree plus an additional thirty hours. The student's study plan will include courses required for certification as a school psychologist in the State of Illinois. The certification requirements require that students take a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework/practicum and internship experience. Coursework is required in the following core areas:
- Research and Statistics
- Psychological Foundations
- Professional School Psychology
- Assessment: Educational/Psychological
- Intervention: Counseling and Therapy
- Clinical Experiences
Following successful completion of coursework in the core areas and the completion of a thesis proposal, the students are recommended for internship by the School Psychology Committee.
The internship in school psychology is taken at a public school site under the supervision of a full-time practicing school psychologist. The paid internship is a full time academic experience. Students receive 12 semester hours of credit (PSY 6999) in Internship in School Psychology.
S.S.P. Degree Requirements: Student are awarded the Specialist in School Psychology degree following successful completion of all program requirements including the internship, and the thesis.
Employment Opportunities
Eastern has trained school psychologists since 1969. Graduates have had no difficulty finding positions in this very important area of psychological services. In fact, since the passing of federal legislation mandating psychological services for children with special needs, the employment market in school psychology has been very favorable. For those who wish to pursue a subdoctoral graduate degree and work with children, school psychology is an excellent career choice. Further, salaries are very competitive and many school psychologists are only required to work a nine or ten month contract, which allows time to pursue a vocational or leisure interest. Employment opportunities are available within Illinois, throughout the U.S. and in other parts of the world.
Admission Requirements
A limited number of students are accepted each year and admission to the program is competitive. Prior to consideration for acceptance, the applicant must provide evidence of admission to the graduate school and completion of the G.R.E. (General). In addition, three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant's abilities and promise in the area of school psychology should be provided to the school psychology committee.
If any of the following entrance requirements are met, the applicant may be eligible for acceptance into the School Psychology program.
- A 3.0 (4.0 point scale) grade point average in all undergraduate courses and a 3.25 in undergraduate psychology.
- Or a composite (verbal, quantitative, analytical writing) score at 50th percentile or higher on the Graduate Record Exam: General Aptitude Test.
- Or a score at the 50th percentile or higher on the psychology portion of the Graduate Record Exam. In order to ensure that all application materials are available when admission decisions are made, applicants are encouraged to take the GRE in December of the year before they hope to gain admittance.
- Or in an unusual situation where the above criteria are not met, the applicant may submit a petition to the school psychology committee department for program admittance. Admittance may be granted based upon the individual circumstances set forth in the applicant's petition.
Deadline
Screening of applications begins on or about February 15. To receive full consideration, all application materials should be in the hands of the department before that date.
Student Assistance
The psychology department awards a number of graduate assistantships. Graduate assistantships include tuition waivers and a stipend of about $800 per month. Summer tuition waivers are available. Separate applications for assistantships should be received in the Psychology Department before February 15. Assistantships in applied settings are available both within and outside the University. Information and applications for these may also be secured by writing to the Psychology Department.
Information about other sources of financial assistance may be obtained from the Director of Financial Aid, Eastern Illinois University.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Michael Havey, Coordinator
School Psychology Program
Psychology Department
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston , IL 61920
Tel: 217- 581-2127 or 217-581-3523
Fax: 217-581-6764
jmhavey@eiu.edu