UCSB School Psychology MEd and PhD Programs - INFORMATION SESSION - Please Share
Shane Jimerson
The UCSB SP faculty are hosting an information session for BOTH the Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree programs in school psychology. We are providing the information below and asking that you share it with undergraduates, alumni, and others who may be interested in pursuing a graduate degree in school psychology. We consistently encourage undergraduates from UCSB to apply to school psychology programs throughout the country. See the attached Infographic with links to more details. Please forward this information (and attachment) to those you believe may be interested.
Information about both the Master’s and Doctoral degree programs are available on the UCSB GGSE website. The due date for applications for the upcoming admissions cycle is November 15, see details online.
School psychology - A career that makes a difference
School psychologists can make a positive, lasting difference in children’s lives, helping to unlock each child’s potential for success. School psychologists apply expertise in mental health, learning, behavior, and development to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They provide assessment, support, and intervention services to students; partner with families, teachers, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments; work with school administrators to improve school-wide policies; and collaborate with community providers to coordinate services for students in the schools.
As outlined by NASP, school psychology is an ideal career for individuals who are interested in:
● Working directly with children and adolescents
● Supporting students with mental health needs by providing counseling, skill instruction, and learning and support plans
● Assessing and evaluating individual differences to identify intervention strategies
● Working collaboratively with parents and teachers to support children’s success
● Changing practices and policies to improve school outcomes
● Engaging in challenging and diverse activities that change from day to day
● Using research to inform practices
● Developing strong team member and leadership skills
● Promoting appreciation and support for human diversity
● Demonstrating the highest standards for ethical and professional behavior
● Helping students thrive at home, in school, in the community, and in life
UCSB supports ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse students and families
At UCSB, we have developed a model program for the preparation of school psychologists to support ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse students and families. These efforts are consistent with the mission of the CCSP department to engage in scholarship and prepare professionals who will foster the psychological well-being and social equity of all people, especially vulnerable populations. These efforts are also consistent with further educating and preparing students at UCSB to actualize UCSB’s commitment as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). At UCSB, we are committed to meeting the rising need and demand for highly-skilled, well-prepared, and culturally-responsive school psychologists, especially from underrepresented backgrounds in the field of education, to serve school children in California, across the U.S, and around the world. The UCSB program is engaged in professional activities to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and antiracism, including signing on our commitment to the School Psychology Unified Antiracism Statement and Call to Action and embracing the School Psychology Unified Call for Deeper Understanding, Solidarity, and Action to Eradicate Anti-AAAPI Racism and Violence.
UCSB brings science to practice
The UCSB Master's of Education (M.Ed.) in School Psychology program implements a Science-to-Practice model. We are committed to emphasizing the implications of research findings in psychology and education for psychological services in school settings. In turn, we emphasize the analysis of problems encountered in school settings from a scientific/evaluative/research point of view. We recognize the need for school psychologists to apply research-based skills and evidence-supported strategies to assist all students to learn and maximize their human potential. This means that school psychologists work with general education students and with students who have special learning needs. In addition to core content courses, this analytical perspective will be complemented by ongoing fieldwork experiences in local schools and agencies. These practicum experiences are closely supervised by both university- and school-based supervisors.
UCSB integrates theory, research, and fieldwork
The UCSB school psychology training model emphasizes the integration of theory, research methodology, professional role development, and practice/skills, with an emphasis on developing strong research and data analysis skills. The theoretical areas of study include strands in human development, prevention/interventions, assessment, consultation, programs and services, legal/ethical, as well as evaluation/research. Research methodology includes courses in research, evaluation, and quantitative analysis. Professional role development involves the engagement of students in reading and active discussion about the changing role of the school psychologist. Field-based practice and skill development is accompanied by university-based supervision designed to integrate the areas of theory, research, and role development with what the students are experiencing in the field. Effective scholarship and provision of support services also requires awareness, knowledge, and skill development in working with diverse populations. Therefore, there is an emphasis on how existing knowledge and skills can be applied and adapted to serve every child and identifying further opportunities for future scholarship to inform practice. Particular attention is given to scholarship that facilitates the learning of children from historically marginalized and underserved communities. Students engage in fieldwork across all three years of enrollment. Each quarter, student performance and professional development is evaluated by external and internal supervisors.
UCSB meets state and national credentialing standards
In the
3-year M.Ed. program at UCSB, all students proceed
through the same sequential cohort model program to fulfill the necessary
program requirements. This includes 60 units for the M.Ed. (which is awarded by
UCSB) and 24 additional units for the PPS credential (awarded by The California
Department of Education – Commission on Teaching Credentials – Pupil Personnel
Services Credential). Students in the UCSB doctoral program complete a 5-year program. The final year for the M.Ed. and Ph.D. program is a full-time
internship, which can be completed in state or across the country. Completion of coursework fulfills the external
accreditation requirements that are consistent across the National Association
of School Psychologists and the California Department of Education for the
professional preparation and credentialing of school psychologists. For
instance, the NASP Practice Model has two
major parts: (a) Professional Practices and (b) Organizational Principles.
Professional Practices include 10 domains of school psychology practice that
are organized into three areas: (a) foundations of school psychological service
delivery; (b) practices that permeate all aspects of service delivery; and (c)
direct/indirect services to children, families, and schools. Graduates of the M.Ed. and Ph.D.
programs will be credentialed to practice school psychology in the state of
California and be eligible for distinction as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.
See the attached Infographic with links to more details. Please forward the information above and attached to those you believe may be interested.
If you have questions or are seeking more information about the UCSB school psychology programs, then please email us.
Dr. Erin Dowdy <edowdy@ucsb.edu>
Dr. Jon Goodwin <jongo...@ucsb.edu>
Dr. Shane Jimerson <jime...@ucsb.edu>
Dr. Arlene Ortiz <arlen...@ucsb.edu>
Dr. Matthew Quirk <mqu...@ucsb.edu>
Dr. Jill Sharkey <jsha...@ucsb.edu>
Dr. Miriam Thompson <miria...@ucsb.edu>
2121 ED, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9490
Office: (805) 893-3366
Email: Jime...@ucsb.edu
-Thoreau
Shane Jimerson
The UCSB SP faculty are hosting an information session for BOTH the Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree programs in school psychology. Undergraduates, graduate students in Masters or Specialist programs, practicing school psychologists, teachers, special education professionals and others are encouraged to apply. Please forward this information to those you believe may be interested.