EdS in School Psychology with Pupil Personnel Services Credential

EdS in School Psychology Online Program Overview

In the educational specialist (EdS) in school psychology with pupil personnel services (PPS) credential program, you’ll specialize in offering services and support to help children surmount challenges. As a school psychologist, you’ll work closely with students and families to develop individualized education programs to help them with social emotional, behavioral, and academic concerns. You’ll learn how to use data and science to assess strengths and areas for growth to help students thrive in school.

This school psychology graduate program also prepares you for the pupil personnel services (PPS) credential, allowing you to practice in California’s schools. You don’t need a psychology background to attain this School Psychology Ed degree, but you should have an awareness of the challenges children face, and want to help them and their families. An EdS in school psychology with a PPS credential can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career that helps you improve the lives of students.

The EdS in School Psychology with PPS credential provides an emphasis in school-based mental health, preparing you to address more complex social-emotional concerns and consider the bigger picture of each student’s educational and social-emotional environment. School psychologists are data-driven, working with students and families to develop plans that help them through educationally related challenges such as anxiety, depression, attention concerns, and suicidal ideation. Like Alliant University’s MA in School Psychology and PPS credential-only pathway, the EdS includes the coursework and fieldwork needed to earn your PPS credential and practice as a school psychologist in California, with the added depth of specialist-level training.

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Program Highlights

CTC-Approved Curriculum

Our graduate program designed for future school psychologists is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

All Bachelor’s Degrees Welcome

If you have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution, in any subject, you will fulfill the admissions requirement and be in the position to earn your EdS degree.

Flexible Online Format

Coursework is fully online, with required in-person fieldwork at PK-12 schools: 450 school-day hours across four practicum courses and 1,200 school-day hours across six internship courses.

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Degree Information

Coursework in the EdS in School Psychology program is aligned with the 10 School Psychology Performance Expectations (SPPEs) established by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and consistent with national standards. As a future school psychologist, you will build competency in:

• Data-Based Decision Making and Accountability: selecting, administering, and interpreting assessments in the context of students’ cultural, language, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and using data to develop, monitor, and adjust interventions.
• Consultation and Collaboration: consulting with teachers, administrators, families, community agencies, and multidisciplinary teams on academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs at all tiers of support.
• Interventions and Instructional Support to Develop Academic Skills: designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions that support cognitive and academic progress for all children.
• Behavior Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills: providing evidence-based counseling, behavioral, and mental health services at the individual, group, classroom, and school-wide levels.
• Direct and Indirect Services: School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning: creating supportive learning environments and serving as a change agent for positive academic, social, and mental health outcomes.
• School-Wide Practices to Promote Behavioral and Mental Health: implementing multi-tiered prevention strategies, crisis preparation and response, and risk and threat assessment protocols that strengthen school climate and safety.
• Family-School Collaboration: building partnerships among families, schools, and community agencies, informed by family systems theory, to improve student outcomes.
• Human Diversity: conducting culturally and linguistically responsive assessment and advocating for fairness and equity in all aspects of practice.
• Research and Program Evaluation: applying research, statistics, and data tools to interpret evidence-based practices, evaluate programs, and identify effective interventions.
• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice and Disposition: delivering services that reflect legal, ethical, and professional best practices while demonstrating responsibility, adaptability, initiative, and self-care.

Adapting to Modern Educational Needs

Recognizing the diverse needs of the students, the learning format of the courses for this graduate program can be completed fully online. This flexible approach allows students to balance their studies with professional and personal commitments. Starting in the second term of the program, students need to be available during school hours to complete their fieldwork. The online school psychology program curriculum includes a focus on multicultural awareness and sensitivity so our graduates are well-prepared to meet the needs of diverse populations.

Career Outcomes of Educational Specialist Degree Graduates

A credentialed school psychologist has a significant role in positively influencing students. School psychologists specialize in supporting students in identifying and supporting areas of need. They support students needs across all areas including social, emotional, academic, and behavioral. They use evidence-based strategies and provide intervention services that are designed to improve the student’s educational progress. This professional practice also calls for them to engage with parents and teachers to guide children and promote learning. Graduates of school psychology programs may pursue career options in public and private school settings.

Links and Downloads

School Performance Fact Sheet

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Frequently Asked Questions

What scholarship and financial aid options are available?

Private and public scholarships can help you meet the cost of your graduate study education, and Alliant offers institutional scholarships for many of our school psychology students. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities here. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify in the form of loans, grants, federal work study, and military aid. Learn more in our Financial Options Guide.

When does the school psychology program start?

The School Psychology EdS program is an eight-week term program and is open for enrollment during each of those respective enrollment periods (January and August). Learn more with our eight-week term academic calendar.

How long does it take to complete the EdS in School Psychology degree program?

The Education Specialist in Psychology degree with emphasis in school-based mental health (SBMH) is a 78-credit program over 14 terms.

What is the modality of this program?

The coursework that comprises the educational specialist degree program is offered fully online. All classes and coursework can be completed virtually, on your own time, allowing you to tailor your education to your schedule. Beginning the second term, you will need to be available to complete fieldwork in person during the school day. The flexibility of online education, with rigorous coursework and field experience, prepares you for a career as a certified school psychologist.

Does the online program lead to credential?

Yes, our EdS in school psychology meets state credentialing requirements, preparing graduates for licensure and credentialing. The program includes structured courses, supervised internship and clinical experiences to instill competency in psychological assessment, behavioral intervention, and consultation. Graduates of the EdS in school psychology are eligible to apply for National Certification as a school psychologist upon completion.

About EdS in School Psychology

An EdS in School Psychology is a graduate degree at the specialist level that prepares you to support children’s academic, social, and emotional wellbeing as a credentialed school psychologist. While a master’s in school psychology also leads to the PPS credential required to practice in California, the EdS includes additional advanced coursework and prepares graduates to apply for National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP), opening doors to practice in other states. If you’re weighing a master’s degree, an EdS, or a PhD, understanding what each involves can help you choose the right path toward your professional goals.

What Is an EdS in School Psychology?

It is designed specifically for students who want to work directly with children, families, and schools rather than pursue academic research. Throughout the program, each graduate student works with a faculty advisor who helps guide their coursework, while fieldwork professors supervise their field placements.

Why Pursue an EdS in School Psychology?

Students choose this path for many reasons, but most share a common motivation: a desire to provide academic support to students while also addressing the emotional and behavioral challenges that can get in the way of learning. As an educator in the school system, a school psychologist works alongside teachers, administrators, and other service providers to build a more supportive campus for every child.

Common professional goals for students entering this field include:

• Helping students overcome learning, behavioral, or emotional barriers
• Providing academic support to students through individualized education plans
• Partnering with families and school staff to create healthier learning environments
• Advancing toward professional development opportunities such as supervisory or leadership roles

Core Areas of Study

An EdS program is built around comprehensive coursework that blends psychology, education, and applied practice. Students develop skills in assessment and intervention, learning how to use evidence-based assessment tools to identify a student’s needs and design a plan to address educational needs. Coursework also covers consultation and intervention strategies, since school psychologists rarely work alone — they collaborate constantly with teachers, parents, and other specialists.

Because every school community is different, programs also emphasize training that is culturally responsive and systemic in scope — looking beyond the individual student to the broader school, family, and community systems that shape a child’s development.

Requirements for Credentialing

The requirements for credentialing in school psychology include a combination of coursework and supervised fieldwork. The Alliant EdS also weaves in counseling skills, since school psychologists are often the first point of contact for a student in distress. Meeting these requirements allows students to become credentialed as a school psychologist in the state of California. EdS completers are also able to apply to become nationally certified school psychologists, opening the door to licensure and practice across a wide range of states.

Hands-On Training in a Real Learning Environment

Classroom learning only tells part of the story. Our EdS program requires extensive hands-on fieldwork placed directly within school settings, where students practice assessment and intervention techniques under close supervisory guidance from credentialed practitioners. This kind of immersive learning environment gives every graduate student the confidence and practical skill to step into a school on day one. Students are required to complete 450 hours of practicum and 1200 hours of internship during school hours by the time they complete the program.

Is an EdS in School Psychology Right for You?

If you’re drawn to the field of school psychology and want a career built around assessment, consultation and intervention, and direct student support, an EdS school psychology program offers a practical, focused path forward. With the right advisor, comprehensive coursework, and hands-on fieldwork, you’ll graduate with a credential and begin making a difference for students and families in your community.