Field Experience
Educational Specialist in School Psychology (EdS)
Supervised field experiences at the Educational Specialist (EdS) level are completed
in a developmental sequence during the second and third years of the program.
Field experiences are a collaboration between PCOM and field placement sites, with
supervision provided through regular contact with site-based supervisors and on-campus
through seminars conducted by program faculty. During both practicum and internship
experiences, students complete activities that are consistent with the goals of the
program, with an emphasis on human diversity and provision of school psychological
services that result in direct, measurable and positive impact on children, families
and schools.
All coursework and the EdS practicum must be completed before the internship can begin.
EdS Practicum Overview
The practicum experience involves:
- A full-year placement in a school setting with supervision by an appropriately-credentialed
school psychologist; typically, the practicum activities require the equivalent of
about 1.5-2 days per week, which can be scheduled in a flexible manner during regular
school hours.
- SPSY 652 – Practicum: Applied Law and Ethics
- SPSY 653 – Practicum: School-Wide Practices
- SPSY 654 – Practicum: Family-School Partnerships
- The completion of specific tasks congruent with the roles and functions of a practicing
school psychologist including assessment, consultation and academic and behavior intervention.
- Face-to-face field supervision provided by a certified school psychologist.
- Attendance at regularly set practicum seminar classes on campus for advanced didactic
training and experiences.
Internship Information
The internship experience involves:
- One-year full-time (10 month school year) or a two-year half-time (consecutive years)
experience totaling a minimum of 1,200 hours, with at least half of the hours completed
in a comprehensive public school setting.
- SPSY 661, 662, 663 – School Psychology Internship Seminar I, II, and III.
- The opportunity to gain practical, everyday work experience and to expand knowledge
and skills in school psychological service delivery.
- Weekly face-to-face field supervision provided by a certified school psychologist
for at least two hours per week.
- Attendance at a regularly set internship seminar class on campus for advanced didactic
training and experiences.
