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M.Ed. in Counselor Education
M.Ed. in Counselor Education

School Psychology concentration

Program Coordinator: Dr. Leo R. Sandy, lsandy@plymouth.edu
Contact phone number: (603) 535-2287
Professor of Counselor Education
B.A., University of Massachusetts; M.Ed., Ed.D., Boston University

The School Psychologist concentration has been designed for individuals holding master's degrees who desire certification in school psychology at the state and/or national level. The School Psychologist concentration may also be a 69-credit Master of Education option. Candidates are expected to possess strong interpersonal skills. The program emphasizes those abilities that will enable practitioners to not only promote the development of children in direct ways but also through consultation and the initiation of systemic change, especially as it relates to the formation of environments that provide physical and psychological safety, and nurture social and emotional development, democratic participation and intellectual curiosity. A particular emphasis of the program will be on working as a member of a collaborative team.

Field experiences will be provided at local schools under the supervision of nationally certified school psychologists and university professors who are likewise trained and certified. Students who are planning to do their internship should apply one semester before. Those planning on doing the internship in the fall should apply no later than April 15, and for those planning on doing it in the spring, no later than October 15. Two hundred of the 1,200 required hours of internship (2 credits) will be done at the Plymouth State University Community Counseling Clinic located at the Whole Village Family Resource Center in Plymouth, N.H.

Acceptance into the program will be contingent upon admissions interview and strong interpersonal skills verified through documentation. During the time of their enrollment in the program, candidates will be expected to develop an electronic portfolio based on the New Hampshire state standards for School Psychology. This e-portfolio will be developed throughout the program and completed after the internship.

Coursework will focus on:

  • Human behavior in a social context
  • Human diversity
  • Human development across the ages and stages
  • Designing and implementing research projects
  • The role of education in society
  • The process of thinking and learning
  • Effective teaching and knowledge acquisition
  • Assessing children's intelligence, social/emotional status and other abilities and aptitudes
  • Consulting with parents, teachers and other professionals
  • Theoretical and practical aspects of counseling
  • Biological determinants of human behavior
  • The roles and responsibilities of the school psychologist
  • Applying skills in field settings
  • Ethical and professional behavior
  • Legal issues in school psychology
  • Special education
  • Ecology of the family, school, community and society
  • The use of technology
  • Classroom and behavior management strategies
  • Psychopharmacology

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from an accredited institution (for conversion applicants only)
  • Completed application form and application fee
  • Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
  • Three recommendations, emphasizing interpersonal skills, on the forms provided
  • Resumé and statement of interest and professional goals
  • Admissions interview

Required Courses

Foundation Courses

ED 5000 Social Behavior in a Diverse Society - 3 credits
CO 5050 Advanced Human Development - 3 credits
ED 5030 Research Design - 3 credits
ED 5060 Theories of Learning and Cognitive Development - 3 credits
CO 5260 Counseling Theories - 3 credits
CO 5130 Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis for Mental Health - 3 credits
SE 5600 Language and Learning Disabilities - 3 credits
     - OR - SE 5601 Advanced Psycoeducational Assessment of Learning Disabilities and Exceptionalities - 3 credits
SE 5570 Autism and Spectrum Disorders - 3 credits
CO 5670 Family and Social Systems - 3 credits
     - OR - CO 5300 Foundations and Multicultural Aspects of Parenting - 3 credits

Professional Courses

SY 6010 Foundations of School Psychology - 3 credits
CO 5020 Counseling Skills - 3 credits
ED 5570 Classroom Intervention and Special Education Strategies - 3 credits
CO 5770 Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood - 3 credits
CO 5780 Consultation and Counseling Interventions with Children and Adolescents - 3 credits
SE 5190 Educational Testing - 3 credits
ED 5150 Individual Intelligence Testing - 3 credits
SY 6300 Social/Emotional/Behavioral Assessment - 3 credits
SY 6700 Practicum I: Assessment, Intervention and Consultation - 3 credits
SY 6710 Practicum II: Integration and Case Studies - 3 credits
SY 6800 School Psychology Internship and Seminar (1,200 hours with full-time school psychologist) - 12 credits

Students with degrees in non-related areas complete the full program minus equivalent transfer courses. Students with related master's degrees take only the courses needed for the conversion.

Total for M.Ed. in Counselor Education, School Psychologist Concentration with certification - 69 credits

Note: The national certification is granted by the authority of the National School Psychology Certification Board and is called NCSP for the Nationally Certified School Psychologist. The PSU program for New Hampshire state certification is approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education.

Plymouth State University, 17 High Street, Plymouth, NH 03264-1595. Main Switchboard: (603) 535-5000.
A member of the University System of New Hampshire. ©2005-2008. All rights reserved.
This page was last revised: 3/13/2008