School Psychology MS Portland

image of UO Portland campus

Hey Portlanders!

Did you know that our School Psychology (SPSY) program has a cohort in the greater Portland area? 

This exciting possibility suits the needs of students in the Portland area while maintaining the strong rigor, content, and hands-on training that students currently experience at the UO campus in Eugene. 

Students can complete the UO School Psychology MS degree while living in the greater Portland area all while working closely with world-renowned faculty.

Program Fast Facts

Program duration: Two years full time, followed by one-year internship

Class location and time: Students in the Portland-based cohort have a mix of online and in-person classes at the Northeast PDX campus 

Class size: Cohort of 16

Network: Opportunity to connect with The Ballmer Institute in Portland and the Prevention Science Institute in Portland and Eugene

 

100%
of students secure paid Internships in the third year

 

100%
of graduates gain employment in the field

UO School Psychology program making a substantial impact in school psychology and education locally, nationally, and internationally

image of students sitting around a table in discussion - UO Portland campus

The School Psychology program prepares graduates to pursue careers in school psychology, education, and related fields. Graduates of our master’s program are prepared for careers as practicing school psychologists in PreK-12 school settings, where they often advance to leadership positions (e.g., lead psychologists, coaches, special education administrators). The master of science (MS) degree in school psychology is approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), which oversees the educational licensure of school psychologists in Oregon. Additionally, the program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

Students who complete the master’s program and pass the required licensure tests are eligible for the Oregon TSPC Initial School Psychologist License, and licensure in most other states. Program graduates are prepared to apply for the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential, offered through NASP.


Experiential Learning through Research and Hands-On Experience 

Our program prepares school psychologists to conduct and evaluate research, and to deliver evidence-based interventions to PreK-12 children and youth in schools and related settings within a behaviorally-oriented perspective. Students are prepared to deliver services to individuals, families, small groups and classrooms, and across entire schools and systems. We strive to train scientist-practitioners, with a data-oriented problem-solving emphasis.

Research Opportunities 

The program prepares school psychologists to provide effective, evidence-based services to individuals and groups with a wide variety of strengths and needs. But we particularly value primary prevention and early intervention approaches, which include universal screening and prevention services to detect and intervene early before problems become severe. This emphasis supports an outcomes-driven model of service delivery, focused on health rather than pathology, and focused on desired outcomes rather than on problems. 

Students take foundational coursework, participate on faculty-led research teams, and complete field-based clinical training. We use a scientist-practitioner training model, in which students learn to be critical consumers of research, use research to inform their work across domains of school psychology practice, and to design and conduct research with a focus on prevention and intervention.

image of students seated in a class environment with laptops open

Hands-On Experience

Coursework and hands-on clinical training experiences are sequential, and are designed to meet school psychology licensure requirements. 

Master’s students begin with an observational field study in local schools during the first year, then complete a part-time 360+ hour supervised practicum in a PK-12 public school setting during the second year, and finish with a full-time 1200+ hour supervised internship in a PK-12 public school setting during the third year.


Interested in Applying?

Click below for more information about applying to School Psychology Master's program in either Portland or Eugene. Explore the degree requirements, courses offered, and funding available.