Master's Degree in School Psychology with PPS Credential: Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego & San Francisco

With increasing frequency, schools must find ways to help students learn while coping with a broad array of challenges that include language and cultural barriers exposure to violence, victimization and/or substance abuse and attention deficit and other neurological and behavioral disorders.

The Master's Degree Program in School Psychology at Alliant International University prepares students to gain the PPS (Pupil Personnel Services) credential that allows them to practice in California’s schools.

During the two-year Master's Degree program, students will take late afternoon, evening and weekend classes and engage in fieldwork. Occasionally, course meetings will be offered at partner district school sites. Upon completion of 43 semester units (including 450 practicum hours), candidates will qualify for the Master’s Degree in School Psychology.

Most students who are seeking the PPS Credential in School Psychology complete an additional 17 units (7 units of course work and practicum, plus 10 units of a 1200-hour internship). Paid internships are dependent on the budgets and policies of individual school districts. While working as interns in the third year, qualified students will be able to enroll concurrently in the PsyD program. Classes for this program meet in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate working professionals. Thus, students who enroll in the PsyD program while completing internships will be completing the last year of the credential program simultaneously with the first year of the PsyD program. This reduces the time-to-degree from six to five years.

The Master's Degree and credential programs in School Psychology will be of interest to recent college graduates with bachelor's degrees, current teachers, school personnel and professionals in other related fields. The program can be completed by those who work other jobs during the week as long as students allow for approximately 6 to 8 "school-time hours" (K-12) per week to complete course/practicum assignments. To complete the credential in the third year, students will need to complete a 1200-hour internship at a public school district.

Admissions Process

Applicants for admission to the Master's Degree Program in School Psychology will need:

• a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in their undergraduate work
• to pass the CBEST exam prior to starting internship.

Students who finish the Master's Degree (43 semester units) Program, and the additional 17 semester units for the PPS School Psychology Credential and want to pursue the doctorate (PsyD) will then enter the Advanced Standing PsyD degree program; which is currently enrolling students and is described in Three-Year Advanced Standing Program.

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