About the Program

Program Details

While the state-required credential for school psychologists is sufficient to secure employment, those with accompanying master’s and post-master’s degrees enjoy an undeniable advantage. Recognizing this, APU has embedded all the requirements for the Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology and the Pupil Personnel Services Credential: School Psychology within the Master of Arts in Education: Educational Psychology program for those candidates seeking a convenient, efficient track toward their ultimate education goals. The dual degree and credential combination—along with the program’s nationally recognized NASP accreditation—significantly increases graduates’ marketability by equipping them with a comprehensive approach to addressing diverse student needs.

Concurrent Learning

Azusa Pacific University recognizes the need to provide quality academic programs for graduate students with divergent professional goals and differing educational needs. The degree and credential programs are designed for a limited number of individuals eager to pursue a Master of Arts and a credential program concurrently. These embedded degree/credential programs are conditional and faculty advisement is required prior to enrollment in the program.

Our Students

This program consists of a diverse representation of gender and national origin. Approximately 50 percent are teachers with at least 10 years experience. Twenty-five percent come from the field of professional psychology, while 25 percent enter the program directly following their undergraduate work.

Student Dispositional Expectations

All candidates in the Department of School Counseling and School Psychology will be evaluated on their professional attitudes, values, and beliefs demonstrated through both verbal and non-verbal behaviors as educators interact with students, families, colleagues, and communities. These positive behaviors support student learning and development. The two professional dispositions that CAEP expects institutions to assess are fairness and the belief that all students can learn.

Student Dispositional Assessment

Three times throughout the program, faculty will evaluate candidates with regards to student dispositions. The School of Education Candidate Disposition Rubric will be utilized to assess each candidate.

Student Dispositional Remediation

Any candidate who does not meet minimal expectations on the Candidate Disposition Rubric will be required to meet with the Department Student Remediation Team to develop an improvement plan. Students who fail to meet the remedial dispositional requirements will be evaluated for fitness to practice in the profession.

TaskStream

Candidates in the School Counseling and School Psychology programs will be required to sign up for a TaskStream account at the onset of their program. All courses, including field experiences, have required Signature Assignments that will be evaluated by faculty.