Frequently Asked Questions

In general, all students need to be formally admitted into the school psychology program in order to complete coursework leading to certification as a school psychologist. In some cases, an individual needs only a few courses (based on a transcript review conducted by the Maryland State Department of Education) to be certified as a school psychologist in Maryland and some of these courses may be completed as a non-degree-seeking student. (Prior to receiving credentialing as a certified school psychologist, you will also need to earn a passing score on the Praxis II examination in School Psychology). Please note that most assessment courses, all practicum courses, and internship are available only to students accepted into Towson University's School Psychology program. This is in part due to University policy that 700-level courses are restricted to graduate students enrolled in a graduate program (rather than taking courses as nondegree students) and because we cover students engaged in all field experiences under our University’s liability insurance. Thus, we require that anyone engaged in field experiences have passed the necessary coursework prior to beginning practicum and internship.

A full-time student can complete the program in three years, including summer sessions. During the third year students complete a full-time internship, which is usually a paid position.

While students may not begin the program on a part-time basis, the faculty is aware that, in unusual circumstances, financial, family, or other constraints prevent them from continuing full-time study. To ensure that students can fully benefit from their graduate education, students completing the program on a part-time basis must take two courses per semester. They must also take at least one course during each summer and must complete both practicum over two consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring of the same academic year), during the year immediately prior to beginning the internship. They must adhere to all internship guidelines as stated in the Internship Handbook. The Internship may be completed on a part-time basis over two consecutive years. Part-time students may take more than two courses per semester.

The Graduate Program in School Psychology enrolls students on a full-time basis; As a full-time student, you will complete four courses during Fall semester and four courses during Spring semester of the first and second years. You are also required to take two three-credit courses during the summer session between the first and second year of the program. Typically, students can work 20 hours per week and still complete program requirements. Third year students are enrolled in a full-time internship and thus cannot work in addition to this 35-40 hour per week experience.

In extenuating circumstances, modifications to the standard course sequence may be considered to accommodate scheduling needs. With program approval, students may complete the program on a part-time basis. Students interested in this option should contact the Program Director to discuss their individual situation.

While students may not begin the program on a part-time basis, the faculty is aware that, in unusual circumstances, financial, family, or other constraints prevent them from continuing full-time study. To ensure that students can fully benefit from their graduate education, students completing the program on a part-time basis must take two courses per semester. They must also take at least one course during each summer and must complete both practicum over two consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring of the same academic year), during the year immediately prior to beginning the internship. They must adhere to all internship guidelines as stated in the Internship Handbook. The Internship may be completed on a part-time basis over two consecutive years. Part-time students may take more than two courses per semester.

If you have already earned a master’s degree in school psychology, courses from a previous degree in school psychology must be equivalent to courses in the School Psychology program in order to be accepted toward fulfilling requirements. Courses that have been taken for the previous M.A. will be reviewed for content and currency by the program director. Additionally, you must earn a minimum of 30 units in our School Psychology program to graduate with the CAS, as well as complete the culminating internship. Other requirements will be determined on an individual basis.

Classes that were part of an earned degree cannot be used toward completion of the MA/CAS; therefore, although a few courses may be accepted in lieu of required courses, you must complete 66 credit hours to earn the MA/CAS in school psychology. Although you may have taken a course that has a similar title to one required in the school psychology program, our content is specific to children and adolescents in the school setting. If you have taken a course that you think fulfills a course requirement; a syllabus and course description will need to be submitted for approval by the director. If the course is approved, you will be allowed to take an elective in its place, but must still complete 66 credit hours. Coursework that is outdated in the judgment of the director will need to be retaken.

In general, school psychology courses requiring special permits may not be taken unless you have been accepted formally into the program. However, a few courses are required by the program that are more “general” in nature and do not usually require special permits. These courses may be taken by non-degree seeking students and, upon admission, will be credited toward completion of the program. Prospective students take these courses at their own risk; taking them does not guarantee admission into the program. However, please know that taking courses prior to official acceptance into the program will not expedite your graduation date. This is because of the need to take particular courses in sequence and the need to complete a two-semester practicum sequence prior to the internship. Taking courses before entry into the program will allow lighter loads during some regular semesters, and perhaps will allow fewer courses during the summers. Examples of such courses are:

Advanced Experimental Design (687), and with permission from the instructor, Exceptional Child (733).

All course transfers must be approved by the program director. A maximum of 12 transfer credits may be applied to the degree.

In addition, the course must:

• be from a regionally accredited university
• be considered a graduate course at its home university
• be a graded course (rather than a Pass/Fail course)
• not have been used in a conferred degree
• fit into the seven-year time period for completion of a master's degree

And the student must:

• earn a B or better in the course
• supply an official transcript (not a grade report) that shows the course, date taken
• grade supply an official course description

The program meets NASP training standards and is NASP approved, so graduates are eligible for national certification (NCSP) upon passing the Praxis Examination in School Psychology (a national examination offered through the ETS). Graduates of the program are eligible for Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) certification as a school psychologist upon passing the Praxis Exam in School Psychology with the score set by MSDE. In order to become certified in other states, it is necessary to have graduate transcripts reviewed by that particular State Department of Education unless that state accepts the NCSP credential.

Yes. As long as you have completed at least 21 credits in Psychology, including our five prerequisites, you are given equal consideration for our program.

September 15, 2025

Applications are submitted directly to Towson University through the Graduate Admissions website: https://www.towson.edu/academics/graduate/admissions/apply/. Applicants should carefully follow the steps outlined on the Graduate Admissions webpage to ensure all materials are completed and submitted correctly.

All required materials — including transcripts, application, application fee, letters of recommendation, and letter of intent — must be submitted online through the Graduate Admissions portal. Once processed, materials will be forwarded to the School Psychology Program for review.

Program faculty evaluate all applications and determine which candidates will be invited for an interview for possible admission. Applicants are typically notified of admission decisions in the spring semester, around March. Students are admitted to the program for the fall semester only, and all application materials must be received by January 15 to be considered for admission in the following fall.

Applicants who attend an official School Psychology Information Session may be eligible for an application fee waiver. 

We review applications immediately after the deadline on January 15th. By the end of February, we invite 30-40 (of about 100) applicants to campus for a group and individual interview. Those interviews are typically scheduled during late February or March. Our final decision is made around the beginning of April. We ultimately admit 14-16 students to the program each year.

We require a minimum GPA of 3.0. An applicant with scores slightly lower may be considered for an interview if the applicant has significant strengths in other areas.

If your GPA is lower than 3.0, retake undergraduate classes or take graduate level classes to boost your GPA.

After reviewing all applications after the January 15th deadline, we extend offers for interviews to an initial group of applicants. Those interviews are held in middle to late March. At times we hold additional interviews in late April if we still have spots left in the program. For that reason, you may not receive a final notification of your status until middle to late April. Once the program is filled (typically by April 15) the Graduate School sends emails to those who were not interviewed with the final decision.

We prefer that at least one of your references be from a professor. Other qualified persons may include academic advisors, job supervisors, or thesis advisors. Letters from family friends or from individuals who know you personally but not professionally carry significantly less weight in the review process.

Social Psychology
Nothing can be substituted for Social Psychology; this class provides a great deal of background information that students are expected to have when they enter the program.

Educational Psychology/Behavior Modification
You can take any class that addresses principles of operant learning and behavior modification. Some examples include: Behavior Management, Behavior Theory, Applied Behavior Analysis.

Behavioral Statistics
This must be a statistics course, preferably designed for psychology and/or social science majors. Statistics courses taken through a math department might be appropriate at the Program Director’s discretion.

Abnormal Psychology
Another common course title that fulfill this requirement is “Psychopathology.” To fulfill this requirement, a course must review the major categories of psychiatric disorders as described in the DSM-V.

Experimental Psychology
This should be a research course with a lab component. Experimental Design and Research Design courses also fulfill this requirement.

Developmental Psychology
Any developmental course dealing with child development or development across the lifespan will be accepted. Some of these include: Child Development, Adolescent Development, Human Development, and Development Across the Lifespan.

Yes, you can take classes at any accredited university or college in order to complete your prerequisites required for acceptance into the program.

If you have questions about specific courses or whether they meet prerequisite requirements, please email schoolpsyc@towson.edu for guidance.

If you are missing only one prerequisite, you will be given equal consideration for an interview as those applicants who have all prerequisites completed. If you are missing two or more, you may have less chance of getting an interview. In this situation, please include an explanation of how you will complete the prerequisites prior to beginning the program if you were to be accepted.

Please include this information in your letter of intent or in a separate note so that we are aware of this. If you plan to take one or more courses in the spring, you will get credit for those prerequisites contingent upon receiving a C or better in the course.

You must complete all prerequisites before starting the program unless specific arrangements have been made with the program director.

We highly prefer that GRE scores are sent to the university by January 15th.  If that is not possible, you must include in your letter of intent: when the test will be taken, and when we will be receiving the scores.  We will review applications and possibly invite you for an interview if your other materials are strong AND contingent on acceptable GRE scores.

Minimum required scores for admission are 146 or above in verbal and math sections, and 4.0 or above in the analytical writing section. An applicant with scores slightly lower may be accepted if the applicant has strengths in other areas (GPA, letters of recommendation, letter of intent, experience, prerequisites completed, etc.). The average scores for students admitted into the program are about 153 for the verbal section and 4.00 for analytical writing.

Your scores will be valid for five years.  After that, you will need to retake the test. 

If your Master's is in a related Psychology concentration (Clinical, Counseling, etc.) you do not need to take the GRE. Students who already possess a Master's degree or higher in a related Psychology concentration will have their graduate GPAs considered in lieu of the GRE. However, students with Master's in any other fields, including education-related areas, will still need to take the GRE.

You need to take the GRE General test.  The General test includes a section of each of the following: verbal, math, and analytic writing.  We primarily consider verbal and writing scores. You do not need to take the Psychology subject test.

We need an official copy from ETS, the company that offers the GREs.  Unofficial or “student copies” are not accepted. 

 5404 

A school psychologist plays many roles in a school such as: assessing and diagnosing psychological and educational disabilities; serving on school based problem-solving teams; counseling students in groups and individually; providing consultation to teachers, administrators, and parents; designing and implementing academic and behavioral interventions; and conducting staff development workshops. Typically, school psychologists serve more than one school within a school system and may deal with more difficult behavioral and academic concerns than do school guidance counselors. Towson does NOT offer programs in guidance counseling or school counseling. You may wish to contact the following schools instead:

Loyola University Maryland

Johns Hopkins University

You may also wish to review our national organization’s website (National Association of School Psychologists) for more information. 

All students need to be formally admitted into the school psychology program in order to complete coursework leading to certification as a school psychologist. In some cases, an individual needs only a few courses (based on a transcript review conducted by the Maryland State Department of Education) to be certified as a school psychologist. These individuals should contact the program director to discuss their situation. Please note that most assessment courses, all practicum courses, and internship are available only to students accepted into the School Psychology program.