Best School Psychology Grad Programs in California (CA)

Loyola Marymount University offers three school psychology programs in California:a Master of Arts, an educational specialist degree (Ed.S.), and a pupil personnel services (PPS) credential. The school administers these in-person courses of study from campuses in Los Angeles and nearby Playa Vista. Graduates are fully eligible for national certification and state licensure as school psychologists. Loyola Marymount uses a cohort-based model, enrolling approximately 20 new students each year.

To be eligible for admission to a school psychology graduate program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or education, or have completed at least 18 credits in those subjects. Coursework for the program covers a wide range of topics, including research evaluation and statistics, group and individual counseling, behavioral assessment, professional ethics, and family systems theory. In the program’s culminating phase, students spend approximately 2,000 hours in supervised fieldwork at local schools. Upon graduation, students are fully qualified to work as school psychologists in K-12 settings, with most completing the program in approximately three years.

Headquartered in La Jolla, National University is best known for its arts and sciences online degrees but also offers hybrid and campus-based programs that include psychology programs. Its Master of Arts in school psychology requires 90 credits and includes a PPS credential. Students who already have a master’s degree in counseling or psychology can earn the PPS credential alone by completing 15 courses in school consultation, cognitive assessment, and crisis response.

The California school psychology programs use 4-week terms to provide increased flexibility and accommodation to students. Core courses such as developmental psychopathology and learning theory may have hybrid options, which provide essential knowledge and skill foundations. Both programs teach students to utilize systematic approaches to schooling, which support data-driven decision-making. The programs conclude with capstone practicum requirements in applied settings, which enhance future employment opportunities.

Designed for working professionals already employed in K-12 settings, California State University Long Beach’s school psychology program leads to an Ed.S. degree and a PPS credential. It holds programmatic accreditation with the NASP and state approval from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The curriculum includes 60 credits of core instruction and hands-on learning. Most students complete the program in 3 years of full-time study, including 1-2 years of coursework and 1-2 years of internship and practicum experiences (over 1,500 hours in total).

CSU-Long Beach boasts a 100% Praxis pass rate over the last four years and offers student resources like school psychology-specific financial aid, student research initiatives, and regular peer and faculty networking opportunities. Students complete courses in psychoeducational assessment, collaborative consultation in school settings, development risk and resilience, and statistics for educational practice. Qualified applicants must satisfy prerequisites in developmental learning and classroom management.