Master’s in School Psychology Online Programs: Courses, Requirements, and Careers

A master’s in school psychology is a graduate program that trains students in school psychologist core competencies, including clinical best practices for conducting assessments, consultations, interventions, and counseling sessions. Graduates usually have a direct path to state-level licensure as a school psychologist.

Master’s programs usually lead to a master of arts (MA), master of science (MS), or education specialist (Ed.S.) degree. Some schools offer a choice between multiple designation tracks, while others award dual MA/MS and Ed.S. degrees.

Any of these degree designations can qualify you for licensure. However, if you’re planning to pursue a license, ensure you enroll in a specialist-level program covering at least 60 semester credits and 1,200 internship hours. Most states require licensure candidates to meet these minimum requirements.

Specialist-level programs usually require about three years of full-time study. Schools offer licensure-track programs in face-to-face and online formats. If you choose an online school psychology program, note that you’ll likely need to complete your internship in person.

Graduates who hold a master’s degree with a specialty in school psychology primarily work in educational institutions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 85% of school psychologists hold employment in elementary or secondary school settings.

To become a school psychologist, you’ll need a state-issued license. Requirements for licensure vary but generally include a specialist-level graduate degree plus practicum, internship, and examination. Many states use the Praxis School Psychologist exam #5403 to test licensure candidates’ knowledge.

As an alternative, you can pursue career paths in counseling or behavioral health. However, these professions may require additional education and state licensure. If you plan to enter any career path requiring licensure, check applicable educational and licensing standards in the state where you plan to work.

If you wish, you can also pursue a non-clinical, non-licensure career track. For example, you could seek a student or family-focused role in social and community service management.

The table below introduces four career options for those with specialized master’s degrees in school psychology:

Source: BLS

While you become a school psychologist with a specialist-level master’s degree, some graduates go on to complete a school psychology doctorate. No state requires school psychologists to hold doctoral degrees. However, you will acquire deeper specialized knowledge and can pursue more advanced roles in the field.

Many school psychologists earn an education specialist (Ed.S.) degree, a post-master’s degree that takes a shorter time to complete and is less intensive than a doctorate.

The table summarizes the average tuition and required fees paid by graduate students in the 2021-22 school year, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The average ranged from about $12,600 to $28,000 for that academic year, depending on whether the school is public or private. Note that the data does not consider additional education costs such as books or course materials.

Online school psychology programs may deliver cost advantages, as many schools offer savings opportunities to distance learners. These can include tuition discounts or flat-rate tuition, such as offering in-state rates to online students regardless of their residency status.

To enter a specialist-level master’s program in school psychology, you’ll generally need:

Many graduate programs no longer require standardized tests and instead consider them optional. If you do need test scores, they’ll likely apply to the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Your school may ask for general GRE scores or scores from the GRE Psychology subject test.

Additional application materials usually include:

In many cases, application processes are competitive and schools may also request or require an admissions interview.

Specialist-level master’s programs in school psychology cover at least 60 semester credits. Completing all your coursework, practicum, and internship components will usually take around three years if you study full time.

Some schools offer flexible enrollment policies, including part-time study. Reducing your course load may allow you to work while going to school, perform better academically, and support an easier school-life balance. However, it will also extend your graduation timeline.

If you need or prefer to study part time, check to see if your program has any time limits on completing your academic requirements. Work with academic advisors to build a study schedule that meets your needs.

Institutional and programmatic accreditation both apply to online school psychology programs. First, the school you attend should hold institutional accreditation from a body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Next, confirm that your master’s program also holds a specialized programmatic accreditation.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is the main programmatic accreditor of master’s programs in school psychology. The American Psychological Association (APA) also accredits graduate programs in school psychology, though usually at the doctoral level.

NASP or APA accreditation may be required by your state’s licensing body. For details specific to your state, consult the NASP’s credentialing resource page.

School psychology curricula vary, but most include similar courses designed to develop core proficiencies. These courses break down into three main groups: required courses, electives, and culminating experiences. Culminating experiences usually involve a long-form thesis or research project.

The following sample curriculum highlights example courses in a master’s in school psychology curriculum:

Postsecondary institutions often configure their school psychology master’s programs as a specialization option within their graduate psychology degree offerings. However, you may be able to pursue more precise specializations through concentration tracks, electives, or self-directed research.

Sample areas include:

Specialist-level master’s programs in school psychology usually cover at least 1,200 hours of fieldwork. Most states require that candidates meet or exceed this threshold to qualify for licensure.

Fieldwork components typically include both practicums and internships. Depending on your program’s structure, you may complete your fieldwork and coursework concurrently, or dedicate the first two years to academic study before focusing on field training in your final year, ahead of your culminating experience.

A master’s degree in psychology is often worth it if you enjoy working with students in grades K-12 and helping them improve their mental, behavioral, and emotional well-being. School psychologists also positively impact schools by improving academic performance and reducing behavioral issues.

Earning a master’s in school psychology is also required to become a licensed school psychologist. This degree can also jumpstart your career working in public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, or educational and family support services

School psychologists earn a median salary of nearly $79,000 per year, according to BLS data from May 2023. To determine your return on your investment (ROI), consider the total cost of your graduate degree and then compare it to your potential earnings as a school psychologist vs. in your current role. You may find that earning a master’s in school psychology results in a strong ROI.