Online School Psychology Graduate Program Guide
AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.
Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:
- Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
- Provide specific, corrective feedback.
- Identify critical information that writers may have missed.
Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
School psychology helps students develop holistically by focusing on their academic, social, and emotional skills. Most states require school psychologists to have a minimum of a master’s degree to become licensed, but there are different pathways you can take to achieve the required education.
Online school psychology programs provide the necessary coursework and field experience to become licensed and begin a school psychology career. Learn what to expect from these programs.
Types of Online School Psychology Programs
Online school psychology programs prepare learners to become school psychologists in K-12 settings. Some colleges and universities offer an education specialist degree, while others offer a master’s degree plus an advanced-study certificate. Regardless of your chosen degree path, you should expect to complete around three years of full-time graduate study beyond the bachelor’s degree. Compare the two options below.
Education Specialist (Ed.S.)
60-75
Required Credits
3 years (full-time)
Program Length
An Ed.S. in school psychology focuses on the comprehensive services and skills of school psychologists, such as assessments, interventions, and social-emotional support. These programs cover human development, multicultural counseling, school psychology ethics and law, and mental health issues.
The Ed.S. in school psychology can be a post-bachelor’s or post-master’s program, with the former sometimes awarding a master’s degree along the way. Programs that include master’s coursework typically require two years of classes and a one-year, 1,200-hour internship. Many Ed.S. programs are available on campus or in a hybrid format, although a few schools offer fully online coursework.
Master’s Degree + Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)
Master’s Degree
- Requires 30-36 credits
- Lasts 1-2 years of full-time study
- Offered in person, hybrid, and online
Certificate
- Requires 15-36 credits
- Lasts one year of full-time study
- Offered in person, hybrid, and online
A master’s degree in school psychology + CAGS offers an alternative pathway to an Ed.S. During the program, students typically work toward a 30- to 36-credit master’s degree during their first year, followed by the CAGS for the second year and a 1,200-hour internship for the third year. Many schools require 30-36 credits to complete a CAGS, but some have a shorter CAGS timeline and a longer master’s degree.
Students explore coursework similar to an Ed.S., such as counseling interventions, positive behavioral support, lifespan development, and psychoeducational assessments. Some programs have online coursework, but most require in-person internship experiences.
What Can You Do With a School Psychology Degree?
Online school psychology programs most commonly lead to a career as a school psychologist. School psychologists work with students, teachers, and families to support student learning, behavior, and mental health. They provide numerous services, including assessments, interventions, career and academic counseling, progress monitoring, special education, and program evaluation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 1% increase in employment opportunities for school psychologists from 2023-2033. This degree can also lead to other educational support careers, such as intervention specialist or school counselor.
Accreditation Matters
Though programmatic accreditation may not be required for state licensure, reputable school psychology programs are typically accredited or approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
How Much Can You Make With an Ed.S. in School Psychology?
<$60,880
Bottom 10% of earners
$86,930
Median annual wage
>$132,320
Top 10% of earners
According to the BLS, as of May 2024, school psychologists earned a median annual salary of $86,930. School districts determine the salaries of many school psychologists working in K-12 settings. Depending on the district, salary could increase gradually with more experience.
Location can also influence the salaries of Ed.S. in school psychology degree-holders. BLS data from May 2024 lists Colorado, Oregon, and Maryland as the top-paying states for school psychologists, and the states with the highest concentrations of school psychologists are California, New York, and Texas.
How Much Does an Online School Psych Program Cost?
An online master’s in psychology costs $27,326 per year, on average, which equates to around $82,00 for three years of full-time study. Keep in mind that private universities often charge higher tuition rates than public schools. Also, nonresident tuition for out-of-state students is typically more expensive than in-state tuition.
School psychology students can look to scholarships to fund some of the costs associated with a degree, such as tuition and books. Some schools also offer graduate assistantships, which provide financial support in exchange for part-time work like grading exams or researching for lectures. In some cases, an assistantship or scholarship can fully fund a school psychology program.
How to Get Into an Online School Psychology Program
While the admission requirements for online school psychology programs vary among institutions, most of these programs outline similar criteria for applicants:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school (some Ed.S. programs may require a master’s degree from a NASP-approved program)
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Essay outlining professional goals
- Resume or CV
- At least one professional and one academic recommendation letter
Applicants usually don’t need to submit GRE scores with their applications, but some programs accept them.
How to Choose Your School Psychology Program
1. Identify your career goals.
Determine where you’d like to end up in your career. Are you passionate about helping preschoolers and kindergarteners prepare for their future schooling? Or maybe you’d like to focus on teacher and parent consultations. Make sure your degree program covers your specific areas of interest.
Also, review your state’s licensing requirements early in your search to find a qualifying program. NASP maintains a list of state credentialing requirements.
2. Check for accreditation.
The school that you attend should hold institutional accreditation, which ensures credit transferability and is often required to access federal financial aid.
Additionally, look for programs with NASP approval or accreditation, which indicates that a program meets industry standards and expectations for school psychologist education and training.
3. Connect with faculty and alumni.
Faculty and alumni can provide valuable insight into a school psychology program’s culture and outcomes to help you decide if it’s a good fit. Ask faculty specific questions about internship placement and instructor guidance. Alumni can assist with questions about balancing life and work during the program, networking opportunities, and career support.
4. Consider format, length, and location.
Colleges and universities offer full-time and part-time school psychology programs. Decide what format works best for your availability while aligning with your future goals. For example, a part-time program demands less of your time, but it takes longer to finish.
Also, does in-person or online learning make the most sense for you? An online school psychology program can be more flexible but may not offer the face-to-face learning and support you might prefer. A hybrid program could be a good option if you want to balance the flexibility of online learning with the structure and connection of an in-person program.
5. Compare costs and financial aid.
Review your funding package for each school from which you receive an acceptance offer. You may be eligible for scholarships, grants, and assistantships, all of which can decrease the amount you pay out of pocket for tuition and books — and may even cover all expenses. While one school might give you more financial aid, it may have higher tuition. Comparing your actual costs can help you decide what program will be best for your budget.
Explore Similar Programs
Earning an Online Child Psychology Bachelor’s Degree
Explore online bachelor’s programs in child psychology and learn what it will take to earn your degree.
Best Online Master’s in Counseling
An online master’s in counseling will set students up to enter the healthcare field after graduation. Check out our ranking of the top online programs here.
Best Online Master’s in Education Programs
Earning a master’s degree in education can lead to career advancement and increased earning potential.
Beyond the Ed.S.
You can pursue further education after earning your advanced degree in school psychology, although this is usually only required for specific types of roles. For example, a Ph.D. or Psy.D. can open the doors to industry research or university-level teaching. This route can also help you transition from school psychology into a clinical psychology role.
If you want to remain in school psychology, earning a certification can be a good way to spotlight your commitment to industry standards and professional development. The widely recognized Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential from NASP requires 75 hours of continuing professional development per three-year period.
Or, you can become certified in a specialty area within education. Relevant certifications include:
