Castleton’s Master of Arts and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Psychology is designed as a residency-based program, following the training standards provided by the National Association of School Psychologists, which prepares students for careers as highly qualified school psychologists. Students graduate from this three-year program with a Masters Degree and a Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study.

As the first and only School Psychology graduate program in the state of Vermont, Castleton is deeply committed to supporting and improving the state’s communities and schools by serving as a local resource to children, families, schools and community agencies.

Graduates will work with children, adolescents, families, and other professionals in schools and related fields. They will provide direct educational, behavioral, and mental health services for, and collaborate with, school administrators, educators, and other professionals to create a supportive learning and social environments for students.

The program requires two full years of coursework followed by one year of internship, which requires a minimum of 1200 hours, 600 of which must be in a school setting, resulting in a total of 72 credits. The program is grounded in a scientist-practitioner philosophy of training and education. The integration of science and practice is accomplished through a program of study that emphasizes the use of scientific methods to inform prevention and intervention-oriented problem solving approaches.

The core faculty for the School Psychology program have more than 10 years of experience, each working in the field of school psychology. Students in the program will work closely with their professors to gain knowledge, expertise, and experience in areas of interests that may include: application of forensic psychology to children’s mental health, learning and behavior, the impact of brain behavior relationships, the implications of diverse learning needs, and social justice. Completion of the program will lead to licensure through the Agency of Education in School Psychology.

The Masters program is structured to educate students in accordance with Vermont school psychologist endorsement requirements as administrated by the Vermont Agency of Education. The program has been developed using the National Association of School Psychologists training guidelines; therefore, graduates will be eligible to apply for National Certification through the National Association School Psychology Certification Systems for non-NASP approved program.