School Psychology, Sixth Year Certificate
For further information: SchoolPsychologyGrad@southernct.edu
Application Deadlines
School Psychology: August 1
School Psychology Programs
The School Psychology program is nationally recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Students who complete both the Master of Science and Sixth Year Professional Diploma in School Psychology are eligible for certification as a school psychologist in the State of Connecticut as well as the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential under the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
Sixth Year Professional Diploma in School Psychology
Certification as a School Psychologist requires both the Masters and the Sixth Year
Professional Diploma, which is offered through the School Psychology program.
The Sixth Year program prepares students for eligibility for the Sixth Year Professional Diploma (a specialist credential). The Sixth Year program is only offered on a full-time basis and includes one year of full-time coursework followed be a year-long full-time internship. Following successful completion of the Master's program, the Sixth Year program is designed to meet both the requirements for CT state certification and national certification (N.C.S.P). Graduates of the two programs will be prepared for employment as school psychologists in public schools or other related organizations and agencies. The majority of enrollment openings in the Sixth Year program are reserved for students who have completed the SCSU School Psychology Master's program in School Psychology. However, a limited number of students are accepted into the Sixth Year program who have completed their Master's training elsewhere.
General Admission Information
Application Process for the Sixth Year Program
In order to be considered for admission to the Sixth Year program, all admissions materials must be received by August 1st.
To begin the application process, applicants should visit the online application portal for Southern Connecticut State University. Admissions questions for the School Psychology program can be directed to the School Psychology Program Coordinator.
Admission to the Sixth Year Program is based upon following criteria:
1. Academic background:
a. Applicants to the Sixth Year Program must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0, with no grade for a graduate-level course lower than B.
b. Applicants must have conferred their Master's Degree in School Psychology. For matriculated students in our Master's Program who are applying to the Sixth Year Program, this requires a passing score on the written comprehensive examination following successful completion of Master's program coursework.
c. This requirement is waived for matriculated students in our Master's Program who are applying to the Sixth Year Program. Applicants to the Sixth Year Program are required to show evidence for having satisfied the Connecticut state regulations requiring the completion of a course in special education. The regulations mandate this course be comprised of not fewer than 36 clock hours, which shall include study in understanding the growth and development of children with disabilities, including gifted and talented children and children who may require special education, and methods of identifying, planning for, and working effectively with children with disabilities in the schools.
Almost every university and community college in Connecticut offers a course that satisfies this requirement. Applicants may take this course at Southern (SED 481 or SED 482) or at another institution. The full list of courses in Connecticut that meet the criteria for this requirement are posted on the CT State Department of Education's website.
Completion of the special education course is not required to apply to the Sixth Year Program but completion is required prior to matriculation, if admitted.
2. This requirement is waived for matriculated students in our Master's Program who are applying to the Sixth Year Program. Personal essay explaining your reasons for wanting to enter the field of school psychology and the SCSU School Psychology program in particular. The typed/word processed essay should be approximately 250-500 words in length.
3. This requirement is waived for matriculated students in our Master's Program who are applying to the Sixth Year Program. Recommendations from at least THREE individuals who know the candidate in professional and/or academic setting. At least one recommendation must be from an academic reference (e.g., professor).
4. This requirement is waived for matriculated students in our Master's Program who are applying to the Sixth Year Program. A current professional resume or vita.
5. This requirement is waived for matriculated students in our Master's Program who are applying to the Sixth Year Program. Admissions interview with the School Psychology program faculty and student representatives, if invited.
In order to apply to the program, please follow the steps below:
- Complete the application and submit a non-refundable fee to Southern Connecticut State University’s Graduate School. The application can be found and completed online.
- Send official transcripts from ALL institutions where you have completed coursework. If an applicant is sending official transcripts in hard-copy format, these hard-copies should be sent to:
Southern Connecticut State University
School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Application Processing Center
PO Box 8057
Portsmouth, NH 03802
**All applicants, including matriculated students in the SCSU Master’s Program in School Psychology, must submit ALL transcripts with the application to the Sixth Year program, including ALL transcripts submitted at the time of their application to the Master's Program. If you have attended SCSU, you only need to indicate this on your application; you do not need to send your official SCSU transcript.
3. Upload your personal essay to the same portal to which you logged in to apply. This requirement is waived for matriculated students in our Master's Program who are applying to the Sixth Year Program.
4. Upload your professional resume or vita to the same portal to which you logged in to apply. This requirement is waived for matriculated students in our Master's Program who are applying to the Sixth Year Program.
5. Have THREE recommenders upload their recommendations directly into the system via a personalized link sent to them when you applied. At least one recommendation should be from someone who can speak to your academic skills (e.g., professor). This requirement is waived for matriculated students in our Master's Program who are applying to the Sixth Year Program.
Criminal Record Check/Fingerprinting
Applicants considering the School Psychology program must be aware that, upon program completion, they must apply for certification from the State Department of Education. Part of that process involves a background check.
Program Sequence - Sixth Year 38 Credits
As sequencing changes, it is highly recommended that students meet with their program advisor to finalize a list of requirements for graduation.
One year of full-time continuous study is required followed by a year-long internship (a minimum of 1200 hours in a school-based site and a concurrent seminar). The Sixth Year program consists of:
Required Core Courses
CSP 534 – Individual Assessment II & Lab – 4 credits
CSP 535 – Individual Assessment III & Lab – 4 credits
CSP 536 - Practicum I & Seminar - 3 credits
CSP 537 - Practicum II & Seminar - 3 credits
CSP 606 – Counseling Children & Adolescents in Schools – 3 credits
CSP 638 – School Psychological Intervention Techniques – 3 credits
CSP 674 – Consultation in Schools – 3 credits
CSP 692 - Advanced Research Methods & Program Evaluation - 3 credits
CSP 652 - Internship in School Psychology (2 semesters) - 6 credits
CSP 653 - Professional Internship Seminar in School Psychology (2 semesters) - 6
credits
Additional Requirements
Students in the Sixth Year program are required to pass an oral comprehensive examination. The oral comprehensive examination is typically held at the beginning of the semester following the student's completion of Practicum I.
Students in the Sixth Year program are required to complete an electronic portfolio of their graduate program coursework and other program requirements as outlined in the program’s student handbook.
Praxis® II– Examination in School Psychology
All students completing the School Psychology Sixth Year program must take the Praxis® Specialty Examination in School Psychology and achieve a passing score prior to beginning Internship. The passing score is designated by the current NASP National Certification (NCSP) guidelines. A passing score is also required in order to graduate from the program. Students should consult NCSP application guidelines for the most current information about passing scores.
Students should request the Praxis® II test scores be sent electronically to SCSU using the institutional code R3662 when registering to take the test. Students must also submit a copy of their full score report, including sub-scores, to the Program Coordinator once scores are received.