School Psychology Program Information

In This Section

School psychology graduate program information is provided below, including program offerings, instructional delivery, financial support, enrollment data, training experiences, and reported student outcomes. This information is intended to help prospective students, educators, and others better understand and compare programs.

Data are reported by individual graduate programs and reflect the most recent information submitted during the reporting cycle. Because programs may update offerings or requirements at other times, users are encouraged to contact programs directly for the most current details.

A combined list of NASP-approved programs and NASP-accredited programs is also available.

Southern Connecticut State University
Last updated: 02/12/2025
501 Crescent Street
Davis Hall 115- B
New Haven, CT 06515
frame_personProgram Director: A. Casey McPherson

* School Psychology at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) offers two graduate programs. The Master of Science Degree in School Psychology is achieved after one full year of study (including full-time summer study). The Sixth Year Certificate (a Specialist level credential) follows the Master’s Program and includes one year of full-time coursework followed by a year-long internship. The Master’s Program is a hybrid program designed to be accessible to working students. Classes are offered in the evenings. Some classes will also contain web-based components of training. The Sixth Year Program also includes evening, hybrid coursework along with practicum fieldwork during the school day followed by a year-long internship. Currently, students must complete the program on a full-time basis. The Masters Program includes 40 credits. The Sixth Year Program is 38 credits, including internship. Completion of both programs is required in order to be eligible for certification in the state of Connecticut.

Program
Finance
Enrollment
PRAXIS
Respecialization
Internships
Outcomes
Multicultural
Faculty
Programs Offered and Program Approvals
Degrees and training pathways offered by the program, including specialist and doctoral options, along with information on NASP approval, accreditation, and other applicable recognition or oversight.

Specialist level, NASP Approved/Accredited (full), NCATE/CAEP Recognized

  • Approved by the State Department of Education
  • Graduation Credit Hours: 83
  • Accessible to Working Professionals
Student Enrollment Data
Enrollment information for the reporting year, including application volume, cohort size, and overall participation in the program.

2024 / 2025

Specialist
Total Enrollment (including interns)35
# of First Year Students11
# of Male Students4
# of Minority Students*13
# of interns during the academic year9
# of accepted students for 2024 / 202511
# of applicants for 2024 / 202562
* Note: Minority students are defined as those from ethnic/racial minorities historically underrepresented in United States colleges and universities.
Praxis
Praxis examination requirements and reported outcomes associated with licensure or certification, including pass rates when available.
01/01/2024 - 12/31/2024
# of Students Taking Praxis6
Percent Qualifying for the NCSP
(Score of 147)		100%
Minimum Score155
Maximum Score190
Median Score168
Mean Score169
* Refers to the % of individuals that have, at one point, passed the exam based on a score of 165 (prior to September 2014) or 147 (September 2014 and on), regardless of number of attempts.
** All data were produced using the ETS® Data Manager for The Praxis SeriesTM tests. Some data may be incomplete given that not all examinees identify their origin program.
*** Aggregated Praxis statistics (median score, minimum/maximum scores, percentage passing) are available only for programs that have had at least five students designating their program/institution as a score recipient within the reporting period.
Respecialization
Training options for individuals who already hold graduate-level credentials and are seeking additional preparation or certification in school psychology.

Specialist

Formal Option for Respecialization?Yes
Evaluation through standard Admissions?Yes
Minimum Graduate Credit Hours for Respecialization30
Description of Respecialization ProcessRespecialization students must complete all program requirements; however, courses may be waived through the transcript review process if required courses (or equivalent) were taken previously and appropriately documented.
Culminating Documentation6th Year Diploma in School Psychology
Special NotesNon-matriculated students may transfer a maximum of 9 graduate credit hours into the program.
Websitehttp://catalog.southernct.edu/graduate/programs-and-degrees/school-psychology-ms.html
Internship Settings
Internship placement settings and supervision structures, including the types of schools or agencies where students complete required internship experiences.

2024 / 2025

SpecialistDoctoral
Total Number of Interns9
Total completing internship entirely in school settings9
1. The 2010 NASP Standards for Graduate Preparation of School Psychologists defines a school setting as “…one in which the primary goal is the education of students of diverse backgrounds, characteristics, abilities, disabilities, and needs. Generally, a school setting includes students who are enrolled in Grades pre-K–12 and has both general education and special education services. The school setting has available an internal or external pupil services unit that includes at least one state-credentialed school psychologist and provides a full range of school psychology services.”
Student Outcome Data
Reported student outcomes such as program completion, employment, and placement information, where data have been provided by the program.

2024 / 2025

Specialist
# of students completing program (including internship)9
Mean # of years to complete the program3
Median # of years to complete the program3
# of students who transferred to a School Psych Doctoral Program0
# of students that left the program prior to graduation3
# of graduates employed by schools9
# employed in settings other than schools0
# employed in a faculty position0
# entering other fields0
# continuing formal education0
# not employed or continuing education0
Multicultural Settings
Training and field experiences conducted in culturally, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse settings, including opportunities to work with varied populations and communities.
Program offers a bilingual specialization (i.e. students graduate beign eligible for a bilingual school psychologist certification or designation).No
Program or department provides the following graduate preparation activities related to multicultural responsiveness.
  • A specific required course on multicultural responsiveness
  • Inclusion across all required courses (excluding statistics)
  • Extracurricular Events (e.g., Town Halls, Institute Days)
Program or department provides the following graduate preparation activities related to social justice that align with the NASP definition and extends beyond cultural awareness into action.
  • A specific required course on social justice
  • Inclusion across all required courses (excluding statistics)
  • Extracurricular Events (e.g., Town Halls, Institute Days)
  • Research Opportunities
Faculty
Information about program faculty, including credentials, instructional roles, and areas of professional expertise within the program.
NameEmailFTE question_markMinority question_mark
Elizabeth Rhoadesrhoadese1@southernct.edu100 %
Natalie Starlingstarlingn1@southernct.edu100 %
Casey McPhersonmcphersona5@southernct.edu100 %
Unfilled faculty positions from the previous academic year?No
Anticipate opening a search for a new faculty member in the upcoming academic year?No
Programs Offered and Program Approvals
Financial Support
Enrollment
PRAXIS
Respecialization
Internships
Outcomes
Multicultural Setting
Faculty