Specialist in School Psychology (S.S.P.) Major in School Psychology

SPSY 5181. Independent Study.

This course provides an opportunity for individual work on problems or research topics of interest to the student and relevant to the field of school psychology. Course may be repeated for credit.

SPSY 5281. Independent Study.

This course provides an opportunity for individual work on problems or research topics of interest to the student and relevant to the field of school psychology. Course may be repeated twice for credit.

SPSY 5300. Interviewing, Counseling, and Consulting in School Psychology.

This course includes acquisition of skills for conducting interviews, counseling, consulting, and collaborating with children, adolescents, and adults. The emphasis is upon the development of basic communication skills that can be applied by the school psychologist in a variety of multicultural contexts, with an emphasis on family-school collaboration. (MULT).

SPSY 5355. Assessment of Students of Varied Languages and Backgrounds.

This course examines assessment practices aligned with professional standards and legal requirements for determining special education eligibility and informing instructional decisions. Students analyze methods used to evaluate language proficiency, cognitive abilities, academic achievement, and behavioral or emotional functioning. Emphasis is placed on the selection, administration, and interpretation of objective, research-supported assessment procedures. The course also considers how assessment data are used to support evidence-based educational planning within professional and regulatory frameworks. Prerequisite: SPSY 5394 with a grade of "B" or better.

SPSY 5356. Psycholinguistics of Second Language Acquisition.

This course will focus on the linguistic and psycholinguistic underpinnings of the bilingual brain. It will provide a comprehensive introduction to the foundations of bilingualism, covering language processing, and language acquisition. Topics will include simultaneous and sequential bilingualism, language selection and switching, cognitive consequences of bilingualism, and the bilingual brain. Prerequisite: SPSY 5355 and SPSY 5394 both with grades of "B" or better.

SPSY 5360. Crisis Prevention, Intervention, and Response in the Schools.

This course provides access to core knowledge related to fostering school safety and healthy learning environments, preventing school violence, preparing for crisis events that may impact the school community, and responding to school crises. It emphasizes research that informs best practices and provides fundamental information to promote leadership on school safety teams.

SPSY 5376. Psychoeducational Assessment.

This course examines the selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of standardized, individually administered measures of cognitive functioning and academic achievement for children and adolescents. Students analyze major theories of intelligence and academic skills, principles of measurement, and the use of selected assessment instruments. Emphasis is placed on interpretation of assessment data, integrated report writing, and evaluation of recommendations based on identified strengths and areas of need within professional practice frameworks. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

SPSY 5377. Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Assessment.

This course covers the evaluation of personality, mental status, and behavior. This includes the theoretical bases, construction, administration, scoring, and interpretation of structured and projective personality tests with integrative report writing emphasizing the assessment of emotional disturbance and behavior disorders. Prerequisite: SPSY 5376 with a grade of a "B" or better.

SPSY 5378. Problems - School Psychology.

This course includes individual problems not related to thesis or research problems. It is designed to place emphasis on selected areas of study. It may be repeated for credit.

SPSY 5379. Prevention and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Psychological Disorders: Individual, Group, and Sch.

This course is an advanced investigation into the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent psychopathology. This course includes features of common childhood psychological disorders and empirically based strategies for preventing and treating these disorders. This course will cover individual, group, and schoolwide techniques by emphasizing culturally responsive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) approaches. Prerequisite: SPSY 5377 and SPSY 5380 both with grades of a "B" or better.

SPSY 5380. Individual and Group Counseling Techniques for School Psychology.

This course focuses on the acquisition and practice of techniques used in counseling interventions with children and adolescents in school settings. Individual and group counseling techniques are emphasized, along with a review and refinement of techniques for interviewing and consulting with parents. (MULT) Prerequisite: SPSY 5300 with a grade of a "B" or better.

SPSY 5381. Independent Study.

This course provides opportunity for individual work on problems or research topics of interest to the student and relevant to the field of school psychology. Course may be repeated once for credit.

SPSY 5385. Ethics, Standards, and Procedures in Professional School Psychology.

This course introduces the ethical, legal, and professional foundations of school psychology, including its historical development, educational underpinnings, and evolving roles and functions. The course examines certification requirements, professional organizations, legal standards, and ethical frameworks relevant to practice across service contexts. Instruction incorporates readings, case analyses, observation-based inquiry, and analysis of professional literature. Students analyze ethical dilemmas and apply professional standards and legal frameworks to evaluate decision-making processes in school psychology practice.

SPSY 5386. Consultation and Professional Issues in School Psychology.

This course presents models of consultation as they apply to the professional development and ethical position of the school psychologist. The course emphasizes the consultative role in relation to school administrators, guidance and counseling personnel, teachers, parents, students, and referral sources. (MULT) Prerequisite: SPSY 5300 and SPSY 5385 both with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: SPSY 5389 with a grade of "CR" or better.

SPSY 5387. Data-Based Decision-Making in Evaluation and Intervention.

This course covers advanced techniques for assessment of special populations, including early childhood, and integration of information from a variety of sources for the development of educational interventions. A problem solving approach that focuses on linking evaluation and intervention processes will be utilized throughout the course. (MULT) Prerequisite: SPSY 5376 with a grade of "B" or better.

SPSY 5388. Psychometrics for School Psychologists.

This course covers measurement theory and applications for school psychologists. Topics include the statistical foundations of psychological measurement, interpretation of standardized scores, test development, reliability, validity, factor analysis, and bias and fairness in testing.

SPSY 5389. Practicum in School Psychology.

Three practicum experiences occur in a school or agency setting with supervision by on-site and university supervisor. This course must be repeated for a total of nine credit hours. (MULT) Prerequisite: SPSY 5376 and SPSY 5385 both with grades of "B" or better.

SPSY 5390. Applied Behavior Analysis for School Psychologists.

This course will cover behavior-analytic assessment strategies and intervention techniques used to prevent and address challenging behavior and teach prosocial behaviors that support successful academic functioning of students with and without disabilities. The primary goal for the course is for learners to become familiar with the role of school psychologists in conducting functional behavior assessments and utilizing that information to develop individualized plans to meet the needs of different learners. Prerequisite: SPSY 5387 with a grade of "B" or better.

SPSY 5391. Research Seminar.

This course provides students with knowledge of the nature and techniques of social science research. Students will develop research literacy through critical reading and examination of both quantitative and qualitative research. Additional emphasis is given to the relationship and application of science to professional practice.

SPSY 5394. Multicultural Issues in School Psychology.

The course provides a broad overview of the psychosocial, psychoeducational and multicultural issues surrounding the delivery of psychoeducational services to students in school systems. The course will help the student develop cross-cultural sensitivity when conducting assessments, providing consultation and performing other interventions. (MULT).

SPSY 5395. Basic Psychopharmacology.

This course introduces knowledge of psychopharmacology with children and adolescents, including brain-behavior relationships, psychopathology, and research methods, with application to childhood disorders for which medication is often prescribed. Emphasis is placed on informed consultation with parents, teachers, and medical professionals regarding children prescribed psychotropic medications. Prerequisite: SPSY 5300 and SPSY 5376 and SPSY 5377 and SPSY 5382 and SPSY 5385 all with grades of "B" or better.

SPSY 5396. Biological Bases of Behavior.

This course covers atypical disorders of brain development or function, particularly those likely to be encountered in the practice of school psychology. It includes an overview of neuropsychological and other tests with emphasis on development of a comprehensive assessment and intervention model through interpretation and critique or case studies. Prerequisite: SPSY 5376 and SPSY 5377 both with grades of "B" or better.

SPSY 5398. Alternative Evaluation, Intervention, and Student Outcomes.

This course introduces students to the practice of curriculum based assessment in the context of a problem solving model of psychological services in the schools. Lectures, assignments, and activities develop competencies in the areas of non-traditional assessment, development of academic interventions, and the evaluation of student outcomes. Prerequisite: SPSY 5387 with a grade of “B” or better.

SPSY 5399B. Essentials for the Assessment of Autism.

This course will focus on evidence-based practices in the assessment of autism spectrum disorder. This is an experiential course in which students will apply relevant assessment skills under faculty supervision in a clinic-based setting [i.e., Clinic for Autism Research, Evaluation and Support (CARES)]. Prerequisite: SPSY 5376 and SPSY 5377 and SPSY 5388 and SPSY 5387 all with grades of a “B” or better, or instructor approval.

SPSY 5399C. Fostering Self-Care and Wellness in School Communities.

This course will cover experiential strategies for promoting self-care and wellness among school professionals (e.g., school psychologists, administrators, school counselors, teachers). Students will become familiar with the literature on stress and burn-out among educators and the empirically based strategies for promoting emotional, physical, and mental well-being. In this course, students will engage in a wellness assessment, identify wellness goals, and implement personal self-care strategies throughout the course. Students will also work together to develop individual, social, and systemic plans for integrating self-care and wellness practices in their school communities.

SPSY 6301. Professional Internship in School Psychology.

Professional internship may be a continuation of the supervised school based experience or a placement in an appropriate alternative setting with supervision by a licensed psychologist. A minimum of 600 clock hours of experience is required. Prerequisite: SPSY 5389 with a grade of "CR" or better and a grade of “B” or better in all SPSY program coursework.

SPSY 6302. Professional Internship in School Psychology.

Professional internship may be a continuation of the supervised school based experience or a placement in an appropriate alternative setting with supervision by a licensed psychologist. A minimum of 600 clock hours of experience is required. Prerequisite: SPSY 5389 with a grade of "CR" or better and grades of “B” or better in all SPSY program coursework.