Overview
Our School Psychology program at Radford emphasizes training in comprehensive service delivery and understanding student and family needs. Importance is placed on intervention development and delivery, advocacy, and data-driven and ethical decision-making. You’ll study how to analyze children's learning and behavior to inform interventions that promote child and school success.
Why Study School Psychology at Radford?
- You’ll take assessment and intervention classes in cognition, academics, neuropsychology, and early childhood
- We provide two counseling classes that will train you to work with individual students, small groups and to do crisis intervention counseling
- You’ll be well-trained in state-of-the-art practices such as RTI and neuropsychological assessment and intervention.
- Our faculty are school psychologists who have real-life experience working in school districts
- Students may earn both an Ed.S. Degree in School Psychology and an M.S. degree in psychology
- We are one of the few programs that offer a study-abroad option
- We are fully approved by the National Association of School Psychologists and our graduates are eligible to apply to be Nationally Certified School Psychologists.
- Information regarding eligibility for licensure as a school psychologist in other states for those who graduate from the Radford University School Psychology Program can be found here.
Careers and Internships
With an increase in students asking for mental health services in school, the need for school psychologists is greater than ever.
The average salary of a school psychologist is $87,550.
We work with students who want to complete their third-year internship in their home state, increasing the likelihood that they will be offered a job there.
Opportunities for for School Psychology students at Radford
You’ll have the opportunity to join the School Psychology Graduate Student Organization (SPGO which is a recognized club at Radford University. SPGO focuses on enlightening undergraduate students and faculty on the roles and responsibilities of school psychologists within the education system. As a part of the organization, you’ll also serve as an organizational structure for arranging trips to conferences and other professional development opportunities. Our organization also may hold meetings to discuss relevant issues to the field, host a guest speaker, and engage in volunteer opportunities on campus or in the community
You’ll also have opportunities to:
- Attend National and State Conferences
- Promote school psychology during School Psychology Awareness Week (SPAW)
Speak with undergraduate classes and psychology club about school psychology
- Radford Gives Back
- Develop resource packets for local refugee centers
Other campus activities School Psychology students are involved with:
- Winter Wonderland
- Out of the Darkness Walk
- Bobcat Book Bags Program
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must have at least an overall GPA of 3.0 and be a psychology major or have earned at least 18 hours in psychology (preferred courses include: Tests and Measurement, Child or Adolescent Psychology, Human Development, Statistics, Research Methods, Abnormal Psychology or Exceptionalities, and Learning or Cognition) or the equivalent coursework and work experience as deemed acceptable by the school psychology program faculty.
All application materials are submitted to the College of Graduate Studies and Research.
A completed application includes:
- Graduate School application
- GRE is not required, but optional
- Resume
- Three letters of reference; (one from major department; if the applicant is not a psychology major then a letter of reference from a psychology faculty member is needed)
- Approximately 2-3 page Personal Statement explaining why you are interested in school psychology and your future plans (we do not require a separate writing sample).
- Undergraduate and any graduate transcripts.
- Admissions Interview.
Once complete, the College of Graduate Studies and Research forwards the application package to the School Psychology Admissions Committee which is composed of the program faculty. Each applicant is rated on five dimensions; GPA, GRE, experience, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Following the review of all application documents, select applicants will be invited for an interview. These applicants will be further evaluated based on the interview process.
Virginia Department of Education credentials individuals to provide school psychological services in VA schools. State license may be denied for individuals convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or conduct with a direct and detrimental effect on the health, welfare, discipline or morale of students. In addition, many school districts in our area require that students submit to and pass a drug/alcohol screening and criminal background check.
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1 to 6 student-to-faculty ratio
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50+ years in existence
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3rd-year internship is available in your home state
increasing the likelihood that you’ll will be offered a job there
Join a program where you can get individualized attention
We work to retain a small student-to-faculty ratio, with an approximate ongoing ratio of 1 faculty member for every 6 graduate students. This ratio allows faculty to work closely with students in the classroom, on research projects, and in clinical supervision. Faculty embrace their role as professional mentors and encourage students to travel to professional conferences, present and publish with faculty, and serve on graduate student committees within various organizations.
