Prospective Students & Program Application

Program Admissions

Prerequisites: For admission to the program, applicants must complete five prerequisites. These courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better prior to beginning the program. Pre-requisities are intended to provide a foundational understanding and readiness for graduate and field experiences. The following are prerequisite course titles and CSUEB catalogue equivalencies. Please use the CSUEB course numbers as examples for course description.

1. Theories of Learning (3 units)- Behavioral or Cognitive
2. Statistics (3 units)- Introduction to probability
3. Abnormal Psychology (3 units)
4. Human, child, or Adolescent Development (3 units)
5. Psychological Tests (3 units)- Psychometrics OR Research Design (3 units)

Exams: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE); California Basics Educational Skills Test (CBEST), passing scores required by the State of California for the School Psychology Credential; and a Writing Skills Test (WST), passing score required, or equivalent are required prior to beginning the program.

Application: All application documents are required to be on file with the Department and University prior to beginning the program.

Full-Time Enrollment: The program requires full-time enrollment in a 3-year course of study.  Part-time enrollment is not allowed.

Official Transcripts: You are required to submit 2 sets of transcripts, from all undergrad work to CSUEB. One set of official transcript to the University Graduate Admissions Department and unofficial transcripts with the Department Application.

Applicants with international transcripts with a foreign degree must provide an official evaluation of that coursework by a CTC approved agency, for a list of approved agencies visit  FOREIGN TRANSCRIPT EVALUATION

Statement of Purpose: In the Statement of Purpose, describe your professional goals. We are interested in knowing how you developed these goals and how you assess your strengths and weaknesses relative to achieving these goals. Be sure to discuss the program related questions in your statement of purpose. Do not use a generic statement without discussing the program questions.

Graduate Tuition

¹ Based on 2021-2022 resident tuition and fees for full-time enrollment of 6 or more units for two semesters. Other expenses may vary. Amounts are subject to change without advance notice.

² In accordance with California Assembly Bill 990, CSU East Bay provides the typical market costs of a one bedroom apartment in Hayward area.  The room and Board expenses included in the off-campus cost of attendance represent the typical costs students pay when enrolled a CSU East Bay.  Actual costs of room and board will vary.  Many students living off-campus have roommates, which decreases their housing costs. 

Non-resident Students (U.S. and Foreign)

Nonresident Tuition of $396 is paid on a per unit basis (in addition to basic tuition and system wide fees charged all students) for all campuses.  The total nonresident tuition paid per term will be determined by the number of units taken.

Why CSUEB School Psychology Graduate Program?

• Multiple outcomes upon graduation (Master's in Counseling, Credential in School Psychology, Training toward Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure)
• Cohort Model
• The only nationally accredited program in the Bay Area (NASP approved)
• Community Counseling Clinic (CCC) & Immediate Fieldwork experience
• Non-competitive & Collaborative (Brown Bag events, Professional Organizations, Research Opportunities)
• Comprehensive Training & Supervision
• Data-based and Outcomes Approach
• Professional Development: Social Justice League (SJL) & School Psychology Association (SPA)
• Students are well prepared for the school psychology field

Role of School Psychologists

School Psychologists design strategies and programs to address learning, emotional, and behavioral challenges; Conduct educational assessments to identify special needs; Provide individual and counseling; and Coordinate intervention strategies for individuals and school-wide crises.  

Children need school psychologists for...

• Learning difficulties
• Social difficulties
• Behavioral difficulties
• Crisis, grief, poverty, homelessness
• Prevention programming
• Referrals to community programs
• Advocacy

Graduate Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the School Psychology Program, graduates earn the following (3:1 outcome):

(1) Master's of Science degree in Counseling; (2) Recommendation for a California Credential in School Psychology; (3) Completion of coursework and hours necessary to apply for a Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Intern License. Additionally, graduates can apply to be Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP), after 1,200 of intern field experience and related examination.

Program Structure

The School Psychology graduate program is a full-time, three-year program. Courses are offered in a defined cohort sequence during Fall and Spring terms, during the day and evenings, in the fall and spring semesters. A summer session between Year 1 and Year 2 will be required. 

Cohort

A "cohort" is a group of trainees who enter, move through, and graduate from the program in the same group, at the same time. Cohorts foster learning communities where professionals-in-training from other programs within the Educational Psychology Department support each other.

Clinical Work and Fieldwork

Professionals-in-training are placed in schools for all three years in the Program. These opportunities provide rich experience in preparation for psychoeducational assessments and clinical work with students, parents, and teachers in schools. Professionals-in-training begin working in schools at the beginning of the program and have fieldwork opportunities in Bay-Area school districts. First, second, and third-year trainees provide support to students, teachers, and parents while completing course-related assignments. Concurrently, trainees have opportunities to work in the Community Counseling Clinic (CCC) to provide counseling to individuals, couples, families, and children in the community struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, and/or relational difficulties. We promote resilience and practice strengths-based, problem-solving assessments, and interventions. 

School Psychology Credential

Trainees are required to complete Program requirements and NASP standards at competency.  The Praxis II Exam in School Psychology is required.  Upon meeting these requirements, trainees are recommended for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) School Psychology Credential.

Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) License

Marriage and family therapists are a crucial advocate and provider of mental health services. They are trained in various theories, for individuals, couples, and families. They receive training in how to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the individual, couples and family systems. Once fully licensed, they are able to open their own private practices, however, many still continue to work in agency or clinic settings.

The Program provides coursework and training toward the Marriage and Family Therapy license. Those interested in pursuing the MFT license are required to continue to obtain additional hours toward the 3,000 hour requirement beyond the School Psychology Program.