This past year, The Chicago School’s Ed.S. School Psychology program received full accreditation from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) through 2030. The Ed.S. School Psychology program has been continuously accredited since 2010.
What does accreditation look like in school psychology?
Accreditation is a process by which an educational institution or program is evaluated by an external agency to determine whether it meets certain standards of quality.
For school psychology, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is the accrediting body. NASP has two categories of accreditation: accredited programs and approved programs. The main difference is whether the program is housed in a school of education and must also maintain national recognition through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Programs in a school of education are NASP-approved while programs that are housed in other academic departments are NASP-accredited. Both accredited and approved programs have met the rigorous standards of the NASP.
NASP accredits programs that have a specialist or doctorate degree. A specialist degree is a common degree in the field of school psychology. The NASP defines a specialist-level degree as one that requires a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) and includes a 1,200-hour internship.
At The Chicago School, the school psychology specialist program is housed in the College of Professional Psychology and is an accredited program that leads to an Ed.S. degree. The program requires 68 graduate credits, two years of practicum experiences, and a 1,200-hour internship.
Why is it important to attend an accredited or approved program in school psychology?
There are several reasons why accreditation is important in school psychology.
First, it ensures that students receive a high-quality education. Accredited programs must meet rigorous standards in terms of curriculum, faculty, student outcomes, resources, and facilities.
Second, accreditation can make it easier for graduates to find a job. Many employers prefer to hire graduates of accredited programs.
Third, graduating from an accredited program ensures that students can become licensed or certified as a school psychologist in their own states and allows licensure portability in other states through the national certification (NCSP).
Finally, accreditation helps to improve the quality of the field of school psychology. By setting standards for programs, NASP helps to ensure that all school psychologists are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful.
School psychologists who have graduated from NASP-accredited or NASP-approved programs demonstrated competency in the 10 NASP domains of practice. The 10 domains include:
- Data-Based Decision Making
- Consultation and Collaboration
- Academic Interventions and Instructional Supports
- Mental and Behavioral Health Services and Interventions
- School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning
- Services to Promote Safe and Supportive Schools
- Family, School, and Community Collaboration
- Equitable Practices for Diverse Student Populations
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice
What is national certification in school psychology?
There is a national certification credential in school psychology, which can make it easier to apply for initial licensure or certification or to apply for licensure when practitioners move to other states throughout their lifetime. In addition to graduating from a school psychology graduate program, students must pass a national exam and document the completion of an internship consistent with NASP standards to qualify for the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential. The application process for NCSP is easier if you have graduated from a NASP approved/accredited program, as applicants are not required to submit extensive documentation as part of the application.