How to judge the quality of a School Psychology program?

[gingergenius]

Hi all,

I've survived my graduate school application process for School Psychology Specialist. I've done all of my interviews, gotten a few rejections already, one acceptance in the bag. While I wait to hear from my other schools, I'm wondering if there is a website out there that can tell me the quality of the programs that I applied to? Not just how they rank in their state, but ratings on the quality of the curriculum and the worth of the degree. I don't want to attend a program and then find out there is difficulty in being hired. When I look these programs up, I either get websites with reviews I have to pay for or biased reviews on the university's website. I chose to only apply to programs that are NASP accredited/approved, does that mean they are all about equal?

Thanks.

[Mickey26]

(Not applying for school psych/I'm in Canada and applying to clinical psych, so take anything I say with a grain of salt )

I might also venture out and ask current graduate students about the program. Let them know you are very interested in the program, and have a couple of questions. It's often best (at least for clinical psych) to ask current grad students/since they're in the program, they can give you a pretty good idea  I'm sure emailing the program coordinator to ask about how alumni do in terms of career paths/success rate of obtaining licensure, etc., would be useful as well (if the graduate handbook/manual doesn't state this already. Some even state where their graduates end up). Good luck!

[schoolpsyched4]

I am currently an EdS student in a NASP approved program. The most important thing, which you did, is to go to a NASP approved program. NASP approved programs have standards they are required to meet, therefore the coursework quality should be roughly the same. There are some very well known names in the field though (U of Oregon, U of Washington, UCONN). These are the big names I've heard of, but I've also been told the funding for the specialist programs at these places is subpar. If you'd like to message me about the program you got into, I may be able to tell you what I've heard or other suggestions I have when choosing a program. 

Edited February 20, 2019 by schoolpsyched4

[gingergenius]

8 hours ago, schoolpsyched4 said:

I am currently an EdS student in a NASP approved program. The most important thing, which you did, is to go to a NASP approved program. NASP approved programs have standards they are required to meet, therefore the coursework quality should be roughly the same. There are some very well known names in the field though (U of Oregon, U of Washington, UCONN). These are the big names I've heard of, but I've also been told the funding for the specialist programs at these places is subpar. If you'd like to message me about the program you got into, I may be able to tell you what I've heard or other suggestions I have when choosing a program. 

That will be great! I'll definitely pm you

[transfatfree]

The NASP website is your best bet. The school psychology program information page provides information about individual programs including number of applicants, PRAXIS results, student outcome data etc. As the profession is expanding, it is quite difficult for a graduate not to be able to find a job so as long as student outcome data look good and the program is NASP-approved, you can just go ahead. PRAXIS results are not reliable because it is so easy that people don't care much about it. Unless they are originally from another state, most graduates have chosen to work within the state where they did their specialist degree so probably school psychologists there may be able to tell you more about within-state reputation, but such information is probably not accessible to us. So I second the opinion that you should ask around if you want to stay in the same state after graduation.