The Master of Arts in School Psychology with a California pupil personnel services (PPS) credential prepares you to work as a credentialed school psychologist in a public school setting and requires a minimum of 73 units of coursework in the advanced component listed below. A sequence of courses is determined by the program director. In addition to the 73 units, there are four prerequisites.
Highlights
- Small class sizes
- Experienced and highly rated university faculty
- Blended schedule with courses in class and online
- Includes both academic classroom training and applied field experience
- Our grads are sought by top districts
- Christian setting and value-centered curriculum
- 3 BCBA courses built into schedule
Career opportunities
Graduates are prepared to work as school psychologists in a variety of settings including public, private and child development organizations. Some graduates go on to work in higher education settings.
Program director

Eileen M. Whelan, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Faculty

Jonathan Gage, Ed.D.
Admission requirements
- Application form and fee
- Interview with program director
- Impromptu writing sample
- Statement of intent*
- Three reference forms
- CBEST score of 100 (credential requirement)
- Official transcripts verifying BA/BS degree**
- Valid California credential or Certificate of Clearance
- Verification of negative TB test (within last 12 months)
- Letter of explanation if GPA is under 3.00
*One to two typed pages providing a statement of career goals and a description of how participation in the graduate program will contribute to your growth and development of these goals.
* *Candidates must bring unofficial transcripts from all universities/colleges attended to interview with program director.
Prerequisites
- Introduction to Statistics
- General Psychology
- Child Growth and Development
- Introduction to Counseling Theories
Course listing
Required Courses
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
PPP 716 | Psychological Assessment and Prescription for Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
PPP 718 | Behavioral Assessment/Intervention | 3 |
PPP 720 | Seminar in School Psychology | 3 |
PPP 722 | Assessment I | 3 |
PPP 724 | Assessment II | 3 |
PPP 734 | Early Intervention and Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
PPP 771 | Behavioral Research Methods in Education | 3 |
PPP 793 | Supervised Practicum Experience | 1 - 4 |
PPS 704 | Counseling Applications in School Settings | 3 |
PPS 705 | Family-School Collaboration and Consultation | 3 |
PPS 708 | Counseling for Diversity | 3 |
PPS 710 | Assessment and Measurement | 3 |
PPS 712 | Laws and Ethics | 3 |
PPS 713 | Safe School Environments | 3 |
PPS 714 | Practicum in Group Process | 3 |
PPS 715 | Leadership and Change | 3 |
PPS 717 | Seminar in Behavior Pathology in Schools | 3 |
PPP 794 | Internship | 2 - 8 |
PPP 791 | Practicum in School Psychology | 1 |
PPP 739 | Advanced Behavior Assessment: Application to Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
Master of Arts Core (Third Year)
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
ED 779 | Values in School and Society | 3 |
PPS 777A | Topical Review of Education Research | 3 |
PPS 777B | Field Based Research | 1 - 3 |