Prospective Students & Program Application

Program Admissions

Last Information Session for this academic year: Thursday, April 25th from 12-1p, zoom. Next session will be in fall 2024. 

FALL 2024 APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED. Accepting Applications for Fall 2025 from Oct 1 to March 1.

The following are program application requirements:

Prerequisites: Five (5) prerequisites are required as part of the application. These courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better prior to starting the program in the fall semester (if admitted). Prerequisities are intended to provide a foundational understanding and readiness for graduate and field experiences. The following are prerequisite course titles and CSUEB catalog equivalencies. Please use the CSUEB course numbers as examples for course description.

1. Theories of Learning (3 units)- Behavioral or Cognitive Psychology or Conditioning and Learning or Applied Behavior Analysis
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)

*Prior to submitting your Department Application, you can send your transcripts with posted grades to the Program Coordinator, Dr. Tran (oanh.tran@csueastbay.edu) for review and verification of your prerequisites.

Exams: The required exams (updated as of 12/2023)

1. Pass the CBEST
2. Pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects CSET exams PLUS Writing Skills Exam (CSET #142)
3. Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Exams
4. Achieve qualifying score on the SAT or ACT
5. College Board Advance Placement (AP) Examinations
6. Pass the Basic Skills Exam from Another State
7. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework (university and community college level, with grades of "B" or better)
   *For reading: a course in critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis.
   *For writing: a course in composition, English, rhetoric, written communication, or writing.
   *For mathematics: a course in algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics.
8. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework and Exam

For more information, visit CTC Basic Skills Requirement.

For options #7 and #8, please complete the Request of Basic Skills Requirement Evaluation form. You will need to email the form and include a copy of your transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) and a copy of your test score, if applicable, in pdf format and email to credentials@csueastbay.edu. The subject line of your emails needs to be “Request of BSR Evaluation” and include your name. Once the Request for Basic Skill Requirement request has been reviewed, you will receive the decision back via email (the email listed on the form). The turnaround time is 4-6 weeks. 

Application: Two separate applications are required, one to the University and one to the Department by the deadline. Both applications must be completed to be considered to the Program. See Application links above.

Full-Time Enrollment: The program requires full-time enrollment in a 3-year course of study. Part-time enrollment is not allowed. Students take all required classes in a sequential order and participate in practicum/fieldwork and the Community Counseling Clinic (CCC) within the Department of Educational Psychology. This program is in-person, with a few classes that meet online/hybrid. Classes start as early as 9:30am and can go into the evening until 8pm. On days when students are not in classes, they are in fieldowork/practicum and the Community Counseling Clinic. *This program is not recommended for working professionals due to the time committment required. 

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.

The following are the statement of purpose questions for the School Psychology program application:

Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) letters are required for the Department Application. Request letters from professional individuals who can speak on your academic performance and professional skills and abilities. At least one letter should be from a faculty/professor.

Resume: The resume is required and include your educational background and professional qualifications and experiences. 

School-based experience/volunteer community work with children and youth: Applicants will be committing to future work as a school psychologist in schools and communities with children and youth; therefore, some work experience or volunteer experience is important to help applicants better understand the interactions with this population (e.g., summer camp, afterschool program, paraprofessional, behavioral support, tutoring).

Shadow/interview a school psychologist: It is strongly recommended for applicants to contact their local district to interview/shadow a school psychologist to better learn the role. 

Interview: Only selected applicants will be invited for an interview with faculty based on the application submission.

Attend an Information Session: Attend an infomation session to learn more about the program and application process; meet faculty and ask questions; hear questions from other applications; receive tips on the application.

ACCEPTANCE TO THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM IS ONLY MADE AFTER A REVIEW OF THE ABOVE LISTED REQUIREMENTS. AN APPLICATION TO OUR PROGRAM IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC ADMISSION.

Graduate Tuition

¹ Based on 2023-2024 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, including on campus room and board depending on dorm and meal plan options.  Many students living off-campus have roommates, which decreases their housing costs. 

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

Click Here for Nonresident Tuition Fee (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.

Note: Mandatory system wide tuition is waived for those individuals who qualify for such exemption under the provisions of the California Education Code (see section on fee waivers).

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

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. Courses are taken by MS Counseling students only. 

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.