You have finished your bachelor’s degree and now you are looking forward to getting your master’s degree in school psychology. But how much is it going to set you back? Learn about the average cost for a master’s degree in school psychology.
About School Psychology
School psychology is one of the many fields of psychology that students can get their graduate degree in. The National Association of School Psychologists states that 81 percent of school psychologists work in public schools. As a school psychologist, you can assess problems in students, help teachers create a healthy classroom environment, provide counseling services, and do with crisis prevention. To be a school psychologist, you need to obtain a graduate degree in the field, such as a master’s degree.
Master’s in School Psychology Vs. Specialist Degree in School Psychology
When looking at graduate degree programs in school psychology, you need to decide whether you will get a master’s degree or a specialist degree in school psychology. Both degrees allow you to do work in school psychology, but have different outcomes for jobs.
The National Association of School Psychologists states that a master’s degree in school psychology has less than 60 semester credits. However, if you want to be a certified school psychologist, you need a specialist degree in school psychology or higher. The National Association of School Psychologists states that a specialist degree is a master’s degree that has more than 60 semester credits and a minimum of 1200 internship hours.
Both of these degrees take about three years to complete, though some people may need four years to complete a specialist degree in school psychology. To enter either program, you need a bachelor’s degree, preferably one in the field of psychology; you can get into a school psychology graduate program if you do not have an undergraduate degree in psychology, but have a background knowledge in that field.
Cost of a Master’s Degree in School Psychology
So what is the average cost for a master’s degree in school psychology? It depends on where you go to school. All Psychology Schools states that if you attend a school psychology master’s program at a university in your home state, that average cost is $5,350 each year; however, if you attend a school psychology master’s program at an out-of-state university, the average cost is $9,114 each year. If attending a private university, the cost may be higher.
One thing to consider when looking a graduate programs in school psychology is a doctorate degree in the field. The National Association of School Psychologists states that graduate degree possibilities for school psychology include a PsyD, PhD and EdD. The cost of a graduate degree is more: All Psychology Schools states that the average in-state cost is $10,000 each year, while the average out-of-state cost is $14,691 each year. However, more financial aid is available for doctoral students. In addition, the American Psychological Association approves doctoral degrees.
References
All Psychology Schools: Cost to Obtain a Psychology Degree
National Association of School Psychologists: FAQs
National Association of School Psychologists: Degree Fact Sheet
