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School psychologists can work in both public and private school settings to assist students with cognitive (learning and motivation), psychosocial, and behavioral problems. They also counsel parents, teachers, as well as other school staff in addressing individual student needs more effectively.
The coursework in this program will allow you to be eligible to apply for a credential in California through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
Individuals who obtain a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential can provide behavioral intervention services to any student who has demonstrated needs in the behavioral domain. BCBA’s work with a variety of target populations with behavioral problems to include attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders such as autism.
Doctor of Education In School Psychology With an Emphasis in Behavior Analysis:
- MA in counseling
- Ed.S. in School Psychology
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certificate
- Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credentials
Program Requirements
Admission Requirements
Health and Legal Requirements
The absence of any conviction for a felony or any communicable or contagious disease, which would prevent the student from teaching or performing other certified services, must be attested to. Students should apply for state criminal clearance immediately following admission to any of the state credential or license programs.
Department Interview
A pre-admission interview and writing test are to be scheduled when possible with at least two faculty members in the Department of School Psychology and Counseling who will evaluate the applicant's expressiveness, commitment, values, cultural affirmation, and professional attitudes. When admission is granted without a prior interview, an appointment must be made with the department chair during the first few weeks of residence before program approval. Continuation in the program is contingent upon a satisfactory rating by the interviewers.
Graduate Record Examination
In addition, a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required. A student’s acceptance into the Ed.S. program, or advancement into the Ed.S. program from the M.A. in Counseling program (provisionally or regularly), depends the following scores: the GPA, GRE, departmental interview, and writing sample.
Additional Requirements
- A passing score on the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) is required before any practicum, field practice, or internship hours can be collected.
- Application for field practice six weeks prior to placement.
- A certificate of clearance is needed from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), which involves a fingerprint clearance. In addition, a TB clearance must be obtained as well. Again, all necessary clearances are required before gathering practicum, field practice, or internship hours in either a school setting or a community counseling agency setting.
- The Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers (PRAXIS)-‐Specialty Area for School Psychology is required as an exit examination. An unsatisfactory score will necessitate re-‐taking the Praxis until a minimum passing score is obtained. If after several tries, this is not possible, a student may be granted permission to take a departmental comprehensive examination. A satisfactory score report for the PRAXIS must be received by the University at least four weeks prior to graduation or the issuance of a diploma. Early registration for the test is essential.
- An acceptable showcase portfolio is required, also for the exit exam.
- Application to the School of Education Credential Office (sgallego@lasierra.edu) for a denomination or state credential, if eligible.
- Students must procure appropriate internship placement(s). For the PPS, students must be supervised by a credentialed school psychologist whereas for the BCBA, students must be certified by a credentialed behavioral analyst. Other requirements apply—please consult with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) for more information.
BCBA Program
Required Core & methodology (42 units)
Educational Organization and Leadership | EDAD | 524* | 3 units |
Curriculum Planning | EDCI | 514* | 3 units |
Faith and Learning | EDCI | 512 | 3 units |
Methods and Materials of Research | EDRS | 504 | 3 units |
Counseling Theories and Techniques | EDPC | 561 | 3 units |
Leadership in the Organization | EDAD | 687 | 3 units |
Sociology of Education | EDFO | 606* | 3 units |
Dynamics of Personality | EDPC | 607 | 3 units |
Moral Leadership | EDAD | 688 | 3 units |
Educational Statistics I | EDRS | 604 | 3 units |
Educational Statistics II | EDRS | 702 | 3 units |
Research Design | EDRS | 704 | 3 units |
Contemporary Issues in Education | EDFO | 791 | 3 units |
An Additional Research Method/Project Course | 3 units |
Content Specialization (60 Units)
Education & Career Planning | EDPC 554 | 3 units |
Counseling Practicum | EDPC 562 | 6 units |
Group Theory and Procedures | EDPC 564 | 3 units |
School Psychology & Counseling Ethics/Law | EDPC 573 | 3 units |
Psychopathology | EDPC 631 | 3 units |
Mental Exceptionality | EDPC 650 | 3 units |
Advanced Counseling Theories | EDPC 655 | 3 units |
Academic Assessment and Intervention | EDPC 661 | 3 units |
Behavioral Assessment and Intervention | EDPC 662 | 3 units |
Neuropsychological Assessment and Intervention | EDPC 663 | 3 units |
Assessment of Individual Intelligence I | EDPC 664 | 3 units |
Assessment of Individual Intelligence II | EDPC 665 | 3 units |
Intervention Methods & Consultation | EDPC 666 | 3 units |
Assessment of Learning Development | EDPC 667 | 3 units |
Assessment of Personal Adjustment | EDPC 668 | 3 units |
School Psychology Seminar | EDPC 670 | 3 units |
Report Writing/Practicum | EDPC 674 | 3 units |
Field Practice in School Psychology | EDPC 675 | 3 units |
Seminar: Individual & Cultural Differences | EDPC 694A | 3 units |
BCBA Coursework (33 units)
Foundational Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis | EDPC 511 | 3 units |
Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis | EDPC 512 | 4.5 units |
Data Measurement and Display | EDPC 514 | 4.5 units |
Experimental Design and Functional Analysis Assessment | EDPC 515 | 3 units |
Behavior Interventions and Supports | EDPC 611 | 3 units |
Seminal and Current Literary Analysis | EDPC 612 | 3 units |
Philosophical Underpinnings of Applied Behavior Analysis | EDPC 613 | 3 units |
Personnel Supervision and Management | EDPC 614 | 3 units |
Directed Graduate Research Thesis | RSCH 696 a/b | 6 units |
Dissertation Coursework (12 units)
Ed.D. Dissertation | EDPC 798 | 12.0 units |
PPS Internship (12 units & Pre- or Post-Degree) 1200 hrs
School Psychology Internship | EDPC 676 | 12.0 units |
BCBA Internship (Post-Doctoral Requirement) 1500 hrs
BCBA Internship | 2000 hours |