NASP approval

[schoolpsych1]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I know is School Psych, NASP approval is needed, but beyond that, does it matter how different each program seems, if the NASP thought it was acceptable? I notice differences in wonder about the quality of the programs even with NASP. I have 2 state schools in CT that have masters programs in School Psych, but one seems less involved when you look at the curriculum. One school has less tuition and is closer to me which makes it desirable but I wonder about the differences in classes, etc. I suppose if the NASP thought both were fine, they are, but all the colleges vary a bit on what they want, GRE scores, etc.
Does it really matter in the long run as long as the program is approved and PhD programs are approved by the APA?

 

[WestIndiPsych]

Yes, as long as the program is approved, you don't have to worry. What you must focus on is whether the program emphasis fits your needs, practical interests and/or research interests. For example, two NASP/APA approved programs may be different in that one focuses more on assessment and the other more on intervention practices like counseling. Another difference may be that one places a heavy emphasis on multicultural practices and have a whole class on it (you may realize this through their courses or the research going on) while one school may cover it within a class. All in all, they fulfill the requirements that will help you gain the foundational basis to become a competent School Psychologist. So if you attend a school that places a heavy emphasis on assessment, it doesn't mean you are not able to counsel, you just may have more of a personal difficulty doing so since you weren't trained in depth in that area, but you can still do it as it may be a part of your job description (depending on the needs of the school district and the time you have.)
So... If the school has less tuition and is closer to you, I wouldn't eliminate it based on that criteria. Look at the programs' emphasis and then make a decision based on what you want.

 

[schoolpsych1]

Thanks, I will do that. The cheaper one near me only has a masters program, the other state school has PhD and Masters. That might be why their masters program seem more involved. I suppose the NASP has bottom-line criteria and you can always go above it.
I will, ask more questions though and try to find students/grads that can tell me what they liked/didn't like and internships, etc. The cheaper school (Southern) has less on their site than UConn which has much more.

 

[WestIndiPsych]

Yeah MA/PhD housed programs may be more responsive to theories such as RTI (response to intervention) and that is why they may seem more involved. If I were you though, I'd go where the money is, disregard the name. In the end, you could still do whatever you want (by way of professional development, conferences, your own research, etc.) and if you decide to get your doctorate afterwords, you'd still get to be more engaged in the progressive happenings in the field. If you only want your masters/specialist and want that more involved curriculum from the jump start, I guess the extra debt might be worth it.. you decide.

Let me know which program you find appeals more to you..

 

[schoolpsych1]

I will, I definitely don't want the debt, I will graduate with 4 years of full undergrad stafford loans and I don't want a lot more. I could live home (although not my favorite choice) and go to the cheaper college which would save more if I go the MA route.
I'm going to try to go to talk to someone from the program when I'm home from school in May and hopefully fill in any gaps with questions I have.
I did meet one older student that graduated from Southern's master program and she is working in a public high school nearby. She was in a rush, but just said she liked it but didn't understand how much testing there was until she really started her job. I don't know why, since that is stressed but maybe she felt it would vary by where you worked.