School Psychology (E.D.S.)

What is School Psychology?

School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists provide assessment, support, and intervention services to students; partner with families, teachers, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments; and work with school administrators to improve school-wide policies.

Why School Psychology at SWOSU?

The SWOSU School Psychology program is a nationally recognized program that provides specialized advanced graduate preparation in assessment, intervention, and mental health. SWOSU graduates are eligible for state and national certification.

Graduate Information Handbook & Application Materials

School psychologists provide mental health services that address needs at home and school to help students succeed academically, emotionally and socially. They are specially trained to link mental health to learning and behavior.

Program Information

Specialist in Education - Ed.S. in School Psychology

The School Psychology training program at SWOSU consists of two separate, yet closely interrelated, programs: the Master in Education (MEd) in School Psychometry and the Master of Science (MS) in School Psychology. Completion of these two programs will educate and train candidates to function as specialist-level practitioners who will provide a broad range of school psychological services.

Many of our students in the School Psychology program are working full-time and have families so we strive to provide a practical, challenging program that is also student friendly. All of our courses are available in the evenings or on weekends.

Admission to SWOSU

If you have not previously attended SWOSU, the first step is admittance to the University. Click here to apply.

Admission to the School Psychology Program

The School Psychology graduate program is a two-tiered entry-level professional training program comprised of the M.Ed. School Psychometry and Ed.S. School Psychology. Admission into the Ed.S. School Psychology Program requires completion of the M.Ed. Psychometry Program or equivalent coursework and training. In addition candidates must be approved for admission by the Education Department. Department bases its decision in part on the candidate’s overall performance in the M.Ed. School Psychometry Program. For those students with psychometry degrees from other universities, a departmental interview is required, in addition to the University and Graduate Studies admission requirements.

Please see pages 74 - 75 of the SWOSU Graduate Degree Catalog for a listing of required courses.

• See M.Ed. School Psychometry

Apply to the Program - Step-by-Step Process

To apply to the program, complete the appropriate materials listed below:

1. Complete and submit the Application for Graduate Admission
2. Complete and submit the Transfer of Credits Form (The Nine-Hour Policy Agreement)
3. Submit official transcript(s) of all credit earned
4. Complete and submit two Master of Science Recommendation Forms. The forms must be completed by two individuals who will recommend you to the program.
   1. These recommendations should be completed by individuals who are in a position to rate academic aptitude, motivational, and character/disposition factors.
   2. Forms should be sent directly from the reference to the Graduate Office
5. Complete and submit the OSBI background check dated within one year of the application. We only need the Name search, not the fingerprints; therefore, the total cost is $15. Please return the OSBI background check to the chair of the department, Dr. Robin Sobansky. You can fax it to 580.774.7154 or mail it to her attention at 100 Campus Drive, Weatherford, OK 73096.
   1. All prospective students in the M.Ed. and M.S. Education Programs must submit an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) record check.
   2. Students must submit an OSBI record check to the Department of Education by the application deadline. Submit the ORIGINAL OSBI Check – no alterations to the sheet(s) will be accepted. If you mail in the application it will take three to four weeks. If you go in person, the OSBI check takes approximately 15 minutes.

Students can send completed application to

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal History Reporting Unit
6600 N. Harvey, Building# 140
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116

Or can go in person to

OSBI (close to 63^rd and Broadway Ext.)
From 63^rd turn north on Robinson (One block West of Broadway Ext.)
And go to sign saying Building #6
Enter door on south side of OSBI building
Go to window and fill out application

Deadlines

The deadlines for application for the M.S. program in School Psychology are June 1^st for the Fall Semester and November 1^st for the Spring Semester.

Acceptance

ALL of the above materials must be completed by June 1 for Fall entry or November 1 for Spring entry. Only those students with completed materials will be invited for admission interviews. Interviews are held in June and in November by invitation only.

Note: Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Capstone Experience

Consists of (1) case studies and (2) Praxis II School Psychology exam (must be successfully completed during final semester of School Psychology; may only be repeated once.)

Certification Requirements for School Psychology

For Certification requirements for School Psychology, contact the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Upon Completion of All Requirements

1. If candidates are adding this as an additional area to their current teaching certificates, candidates will process their applications online with the Oklahoma State Department of Education Single Sign On System
2. If candidates are pursuing initial teacher certifications with this area, candidates notify the SWOSU Department of Education Certification Coordinator by completing the online Recommendation Request for Teacher Certification form. Candidates will be notified by e-mail when their recommendation is made at which time candidates will process their applications online with the Oklahoma State Department of Education Single Sign On System.

Note: Completion of the Ed.S. Degree in School Psychology is applicable towards academic eligibility requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) act. See the LPC Curriculum Program for information regarding application and LPC coursework requirements.

Tuition Waiver

The College of Professional and Graduate Studies offers the opportunity for a tuition waiver. To apply for the waiver, you must have been admitted to the graduate program, have completed coursework at SWOSU, be currently enrolled in a minimum of six graduate hours, have a minimum of a 3.50 GPA and must be an Oklahoma Resident. We encourage you to apply for the tuition waiver for every semester after your first if you qualify. Click here for the application form.

Advisor

Dr. Robin Sobansky serves as the graduate advisor for all school psychology students. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact her at 580.774.3154 or robin.sobansky@swosu.edu.

As outlined in the Transfer of Credit form, you are permitted to take up to nine hours of coursework prior to full admission. If you wish to do so, you must contact Dr. Robin Sobansky at robin.sobansky@swosu.edu to create a plan of study.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Robin Sobansky, Director
robin.sobansky@swosu.edu
580.774.3722

Application Materials

• Application Checklist
• Degree Program Catalog Listing (pages 74 – 75)
• Application for Graduate Admission
• Transfer of Credit
• Recommendation Form
• OSBI Background Check
• Tuition Waiver Application