School Psychology Graduate Program Open House/Information Session
Friday, January 11, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.
Room 3121 Physical Science Building
Come meet professors and students affiliated with the EIU graduate program in school psychology and learn about opportunities for graduate study and career opportunities for school psychologists.
Please RSVP to Program Coordinator Mike Havey (jmhavey@eiu.edu)
Specialist Degree in School Psychology
Welcome to the web site of the School Psychology Program of Eastern Illinois University! The EIU program has trained future school psychologists for over thirty years and has long been recognized as an outstanding program. The program is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and by the National Association of School Psychologists. Qualities of the program that contribute to its quality and may set it apart from its competitors include:
- an excellent student-faculty ratio with abundant opportunities for student-faculty collaboration
- almost all classes are taught by individuals with extensive experience in the schools
- a strong sense of cohesiveness among students
- extensive opportunity to apply classroom learning to school settings through three semesters of practica
- an emphasis on the scientist-practitioner model of training
- financial support in the form of graduate assistantships for over 75% of our on-campus students
- an extensive network of loyal and active alumni
Comments from recent graduates:
“I feel confident that my training program at Eastern Illinois University is providing a strong foundation for future school psychologists to meet the needs of the schools. Students are taught to be leaders and to market their skills. The need and importance of collaborating with other professionals is stressed as well.”
“Overall, I thought the program did a great job of providing me with the information and experience to be successful in the future as a school psychologist.”
“I have gained a lot through Eastern. The practicum experiences set us apart from most other universities in the state. Areas where we were first taught in the classroom and then were able to practice in the field with supervision and feedback have helped me to be successful. A big strength of the program is the faculty.”
“Strengths of the program: fantastic teachers, practicum work, straight talk about the pros and cons of the job, no bull, just fact.”
The major purpose of our program is to prepare students to function as psychologists in a school setting. Most coursework is designed to fulfill requirements for certification established by the Illinois State Board of Education. All graduates, upon passing the state certification test, are entitled to certification as a school psychologist from the state board. Program requirements total approximately 70 semester hours of coursework and internship. Most students complete the program in three years: two years and one summer of on-campus study and a one-year internship. If the student successfully completes all program requirements, he/she will earn the Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) degree. The specialist degree is generally considered to be the equivalent of a master's degree plus approximately 30 hours.
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 and educational remediation, consultation, program development, staff training, and research.
If you have any questions or run into any difficulties as you complete the application, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mike Havey, Ed.D.
jmhavey@eiu.edu