School Psychology Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC)
Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) candidates in the School Psychology specialization acquire the knowledge and skills to become competent school psychologists and social justice advocates in PreK-12 schools. Our program of study is aligned with the National Association of School Psychologists’ (NASP) Model for Comprehensive and Integrated Psychological Services which focuses on data-based decision making and accountability, consultation and collaboration, and direct and indirect academic and mental health services for children, families, and schools. Our candidates learn about the history, theories, and research behind the field of counseling and specifically school psychology, and gain a variety of tools to support the success of all students with respect for human diversity and social justice; these tools include consultation, collaboration, counseling, and assessment at individual, group, classroom, and school-wide levels to support the academic, social, and emotional success of all students. In keeping with CCTC requirements, our program gives primary emphasis in helping public school pupils achieve academic success by emphasizing the importance of student support services.
Successful completion of a program of study in the Counseling Department at Saint Mary’s College of California, leading to a master’s degree and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology, involves a combination of coursework, fieldwork, and a culminating project, as well as meeting the PPS standards and registering for the credential.
What courses will you take?
These courses fulfill the CCTC requirements for the School Psychology PPS Credential:
28 units of core courses, plus 40 School Psychology specific units (below), for a minimum of 68 units:
- COUN 246: SP Child/Adolescent Psychopathology (3 units)
- COUN 251: Treatment of Children (3 units)
- COUN 290: SP Introduction to Psychological Assessment (3 units)
- COUN 291: SP Neuro-Cognitive Assessment (3 units)
- COUN 292: SP Assessment of Social & Emotional Functioning (3 units)
- COUN 524: Systems Consultation (3 units)
- COUN 527: SP Practicum/Seminar (1 unit)
- COUN 540: SP Fieldwork Seminar & Supervision I & II (6 units)
- COUN 541: SP Internship and Seminar I & II (6 units)
- COUN 210: Learning, Development & Cognition in the Social Context (3 units)
- SPED 230: Introduction to Inclusive Education (3 units)
- SPED 233: Behavioral Support in the Learning Environment (3 units)
Cohort plans of study
School Psychologists are eligible to become Licensed Education Psychologists (LEPs) through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) after completing 2 years of full-time work as a credentialed School Psychologist. LEPs’ scope of practice includes providing diagnoses of psychological disorders related to academic learning processes; providing psychological counseling for individuals, groups and families; developing treatment programs and strategies to address problems of adjustment; coordinating intervention strategies for management of individual crises; and consulting with other educators and parents on issues of social development and behavioral and academic difficulties (California Board of Behavioral Sciences, 2011).
Post-Master's, PPS Credential-Only:
We also offer post-master's degree, PPS Credential-Only Programs in School Psychology.