Master of Arts
The Master of Arts degree, titled the MA in Educational Psychology-School Psychometry, is designed to provide basic entry-level skills for the practitioner. As a result, the program provides less breadth and less depth than the Ed. S. and doctoral programs and utilizes a generalist approach. The M. A. degree focuses on assessment/databased decision-making activities, however, other professional practices are included. Prospective students interested only in the M. A. are generally accepted on a space available basis only after Ph.D. applicants (highest priority) and Ed. S. applicants (next priority) have been considered. Ed. S. and doctoral students entering without a Master's degree must earn the M. A. during the course of their Ed. S. or doctoral program, however, it is anticipated that students will not terminate their graduate education with the M. A. degree.
Certification and LicensureThe degrees in the School Psychology Program may lead to state and national credentials. The M. A. degree is approved for the Alabama A Certification in School Psychometry if the following pre-requisites are met: certification in a teaching field and 2 years of appropriate teaching experience, at least one of which must be in teaching, as prescribed in Alabama Administrative Code. The Ed. S. and doctoral degrees are approved for the Alabama AA Certification in School Psychology if a) the graduate obtains the NCSP or b) the graduate has been certified as a school psychologist in another state or c) if the following pre-requisites are met: completion of a basic program in teacher education, eligibility for certification as a school psychometrist, and two years of appropriate teaching experience, at least one of which must be in teaching, as prescribed in Alabama Administrative Code.
The Ed. S. and doctoral degrees in the School Psychology Program are approved by the National Association of School Psychologists. Students who obtain these degrees are eligible for the National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP), following successful completion of the national school psychology examination. The NCSP is used by many states to grant state certification and licensure in school psychology. The NCSP is used by the Alabama Department of Education for granting the AA Certificate in School Psychology.
Requirements for certification and licensure in school psychology vary from state to state. Students are expected to determine the requirements in the state or states in which they are interested in practicing before beginning the program. The student's program may then be designed to meet any particular requirements of specific states.