Our Admissions Deadline is January 15, 2025

Our ONLINE Interview Day is Friday, February 28, 2025

We’re glad to see you are interested in the MSU School Psychology EdS Program! Reach out to a current student or contact a faculty member with questions about the program or the admissions process. Learn about our student group and our faculty, or take a tour of the MSU campus.

Hybrid Program Format

The program involves ONLINE and FACE to FACE classes. The online classes are synchronous or asynchronous (self paced) OR synchronous (nearly always on TUESDAYS) on the East Lansing campus. Over the past two years, students have had face to face classes for 3 semesters (Y1 spring, Y2 fall, and Y2 spring). Summer classes are typically online.

Summer Start

Admitted students enroll in the Ed.S. program upon admittance and begin classes during summer semester (on May 12, 2025). Some students begin during the final semester of their undergraduate degree (e.g., their completion of final undergraduate coursework overlaps with the first few weeks of the MSU summer semester). These students need provide evidence of full conferral of their undergraduate degree to continue in the program in the fall.

Project Hi2LD

For admission to the Ed.S. program in 2025-2026, we will be accepting applications to Project Hi2LD (Hybrid Interdisciplinary Training to Address High Intensity Needs for Students with Learning Disabilities.). This program will offer top Ed.S. student(s) funding to cover several semesters of tuition and some conference travel and technology support during their two years of Ed.S. coursework prior to internship, as well as monthly training experiences beyond the typical program. To participate in this project, applicants will complete the standard Ed.S. application and indicate their interest in Project Hi2LD in their personal statement. If selected to participate in the project, applicants must enroll in coursework and begin completing Project Hi2LD activities in the summer of 2025. Learn more via the Project Hi2LD website.

Project FOCCUS³ Fellowship

Read about the new Project FOCCUS³ fellowship opportunity, which will provide funding for selected graduate students to pursue an educational specialist degree in School Psychology or a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Michigan State University. Fellowship graduates will prepare to be school psychologists and behavior analysts who support the academic and social-emotional functioning of children with high-intensity needs.

Scholars will complete their respective coursework along with specialized opportunities specifically for Project FOCCUS³ participants. This includes collaborative coursework with fellow cohort members, guest lectures and a summer intensive training institute to bolster learning and training.

Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), Project FOCCUS³ scholars will have tuition coverage and support for travel and materials each year in the program. Fall 2024 applicants to the M.A in ABA program are eligible to be considered for Project FOCCUS³. For more details, visit the Project FOCCUS³ website.

Admissions Criteria for EdS Program

We seek applicants who are interested in working as school psychologists in school settings. Professional activities include assessment, intervention, and consultation with a school-aged population, their caregivers, educators, and other professionals.

We believe our profession benefits from the perspectives of those who differ by gender, ethnicity, race, culture, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religious beliefs, socioeconomic class, and abilities. We encourage diverse individuals to apply to our program and to seek out opportunities to serve diverse clients and systems.

Checklist of Application Steps (see details below)

1. Complete the University Application
2. Submit your fee of $65 OR e-mail schpsy@msu.edu to explain your fee waiver
3. Enter materials in the Application portal
   • Provide contact information for three recommendation letter writers
   • Upload your Personal/Academic Statement
   • Upload your Writing Sample
   • Upload your Curriculum Vita or Resume
   • Answer the prompt indicating that you can complete an internship of 1200, full-time, clock hours (this can be uploaded to category as Applicant Statement or Other)
4. Submit other materials
   • Have one official copy of your Transcripts sent from each previous institution attended
   • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score submission.
5. For International students only: Complete Step 4 outlined below

Step 1: University Application and Fee

*Complete the application at the link below

Select the Summer Semester (US) and the School Psychology (EdS) major. There is a section titled “Supplemental Questions” that follows. You do not need to answer the “what influenced your decision to apply”, as your personal statement will reflect that and we need an uploaded document.

Step 2: Enter supplemental materials to your application

Materials can be entered in categories. If you forget to upload materials, or if you want to enter them later, you can log back in to the application portal to upload your supplemental documents, request letters of recommendation, and check the status of your application. There is an “Upload Materials” section towards the bottom that you can upload all your documents in even after you’ve submitted the application. The University application does not have specific slots to request the items required by the program, so please make sure the requested items below are added to your application.

*Provide contact information for three recommendation letter writers

For each recommender, include: title (e.g., Dr. or Ms.), first and last name, job title, employer, and e-mail address. Ensure you have a mutual agreement with your recommender prior to submitting their information into the system. You may need to follow up with your recommenders regarding missing letters to complete your application. Seek recommendations from individuals who are knowledgeable about your academic performance and ability to work effectively with people.

*Submit one statement describing your Personal and Academic reasons for applying to our School Psychology program

This document is a key component of your application. See description of content and formatting of this statement. Use this statement to make a case for why you’re a good fit for the profession of school psychology. Upload the same statement to BOTH the personal and academic statement sections.

*Upload your Writing Sample 

Submit an example of academic or professional writing. Present evidence of previous research experience (e.g., a Master’s thesis or scholarly paper, work on a research project, publication in a professional journal, or a presentation at a professional conference). A research paper submitted for a course in psychology of education is also acceptable.

*Upload your Curriculum Vita or Resume

Specify “Resume” as the document type.

Evidence of experience working with children, youth and families in school, community or agency settings is desirable.

*The application will have a prompt asking you to confirm that you can complete an internship of 2000, full-time, clock hours. Please ensure that prompt has an answer selected from the drop-down menu.

Step 4: Other Application Materials

*Have one official copy of your Transcript sent to our program from each previous institution attended.

Supply evidence of previous successful academic performance, including a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last two years on undergraduate coursework and a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in graduate coursework.

Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution; contact the registrar’s office at your institution for procedures. Transcripts must indicate a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution either conferred or in progress. Individuals with advanced degrees (e.g., MA, ME, EdS) are encouraged to apply; students entering the program with an advanced degree may have some requirements waived. If you have taken coursework but did not earn a degree at an institution, you can upload an unofficial transcript for those institutions. Please have your institution send transcripts directly to:

MSU Office of Admissions

admis@msu.edu
426 Auditorium Road, Rm 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034, USA
517-355-8332

*Complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE):

GRE score submission: Please designate Michigan State University (1465) as an official recipient of your scores. The verbal, quantitative and analytical portions of the GRE should be submitted. Typical scores for students admitted into our program fall within the above average range. The college requires that the GRE must have been taken no longer than five years prior to the application for admission.

Information on testing may be obtained from: MSU Testing office, 207 Student Services Building, East Lansing, MI 48824 517-355-8385

Step 5: (For INTERNATIONAL students only)

International students must meet additional university-level requirements for admissions.

*Demonstrate proficiency in English

*Upload Proof of Financial Support

International applicants are required to submit an Affidavit of Support and financial proof. This statement, which is found on the Graduate School’s International Applicants information page, must originate from your source of support and must be a certified, original statement with stamp and original signature.

Applicants from Chinese Universities: Please see the following link

Step 3: Submit your fee of $65.

Applicants whose graduate application fee is waived through a university program MUST notify the School Psychology Program Coordinator at schpsy@msu.edu to ensure your application is reviewed by the admissions committee. If you need to request a fee waiver, please contact the School Psychology Program Coordinator. Waivers cannot be fulfilled until you have submitted an application, stopping on the payment portal page.