The University of Cincinnati’s EdS School Psychology Program is dedicated to preparing highly competent school psychologists utilizing a scientist-practitioner model. Graduates are prepared to make significant contributions to educational systems that improve important outcomes for children and families through up-to-date and research-based professional practice. Specialist-level graduates are prepared to obtain licensure as a school psychologist to support children and families in schools.

Our School Psychology graduate program operates from an ecological-behavioral orientation with a social justice lens. Students are prepared with a strong behavioral orientation that utilizes the theories and research of applied behavior analysis. Students are also trained to engage in culturally relevant service delivery, continually improve their own cultural competence, and challenge systems to achieve equitable outcomes for all students. The program emphasizes the delivery of school psychological services from a consultative, collaborative problem-solving framework to improve outcomes for children and families.

The program consists of 3-years of full-time study. The first two years include coursework and field experiences. Students earn an MEd in Foundations in Behavior Analysis after the first year of the program. Students complete a full-year school-based internship during the third year of the program.

Career opportunities that graduates of the EdS program pursue consist of:

• School psychologists working primarily in school settings
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
  • We have a verified course sequence for the BCBA where students may pursue BCBA positions after obtaining supervised hours and securing the credential.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants whose native language is not English - including those with F-1 visas, J-1 visas, and green cards. This test must be taken in the applicant’s own country before admission is granted. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 520; for the electronic version it is 190. 40.

The TOEFL requirement may be waived for students with a degree from an accredited American college or university in which coursework was taught in English and for students who can document a score of at least 520 in a TOEFL taken in the five years immediately prior to their application to the School Psychology Program at the University of Cincinnati. Waivers may also be granted for students who earned at least a 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam or at least a B in the Cambridge CPE exam. Requests to waive the TOEFL requirement should be sent with the appropriate documentation to the Assistant University Dean for Advanced Studies for consideration.

Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
2. Transcripts and a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0
3. CV or Resume
4. Goal Statement
5. One (1) Letter of Recommendation (3 is strongly recommended)
6. 18 credit hours in the following psychological foundations area is suggested, but not required. 
   • History and Systems of Psychology
   • Research and Statistics
   • Child Development
   • Social Psychology
   • Biological Bases
   • Learning Theory

Tuition fee-3 years$90,000