Master of Science in School Psychology - Specialist
The Master of Science in School Psychology - Specialist is a new graduate program that prepares specialist-level school psychologists who are committed to culturally affirming, equitable, and comprehensive school psychology services in Alaska. Graduates will gain knowledge and experience in effective, evidence-based, and culturally informed assessment, intervention, consultation, and mental health practices that promote the well-being of all children and youth.
Through collaborative partnerships with students, families, professionals, and school communities, graduates are practitioner-scientists who promote wellness and improve educational outcomes for all children. Graduates utilize community-engaged approaches to inform leadership, advocacy, and social justice efforts to advance school-wide systems that promote equitable learning and safe and supportive schools.
We sat down with Program Director and Professor Hattie Harvey to discuss this new program and the opportunities it presents to Alaskans.
Can you share a little bit about how this new program came to be?
鈥淕etting a program like this to our campus has actually been an ongoing discussion in the department for over a decade. We have long recognized the need for an in-state training program, and with encouragement from CAS Dean McNulty we were finally able to take it from a discussion to an implemented degree program.
For me, as the program director, one of the biggest motivating factors has been the overwhelming interest and support from the community - including Anchorage School District, the Alaska School Psychologists Association, and the Mental Health Trust Authority. The other big factor is the stark gap in workforce needs and that Alaska is one of only two states who do not have an in-state training program for school psychology.鈥�
How has the response been from potential students? Do you have a lot of interest?
鈥淭he primary interest in the program right now is from current working educators. Since August, I have held three informational sessions and have had over 60 individuals attend from a variety of school districts in Alaska, including Gateway, Craig, Petersburg, North Slope, Lower Kuskokwim, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, and more. In addition, I receive numerous emails weekly inquiring about the program from folks all over Alaska. We also hope to draw a few 彩神vlll争霸 undergraduate students too from psychology, social work, and education!鈥�
What does the degree program look like for the enrolled students?
鈥淭he program is 63 credits and leads to endorsement in the State of Alaska as a School Psychologist. Students enroll in either the full-time or part-time track. The majority of courses are distance delivered, with three weekends required on-campus, and one on-campus summer intensive where students complete an assessment course that will utilize the Psychological Services Center. The program includes 75-hours of course-embedded field experience, a 300-hour practicum, and a 1,200-hour internship all completed in a school setting. These are required experiences for licensure as a school psychologist and are guided by our national accreditation standards through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
There are substantial funding opportunities for students, including participation as a scholar in Project i-SPARRC, a $1.3M grant aimed to increase the school psychology workforce in Alaska. This grant will pay a majority of students' tuition, travel funds, conference attendance, and program supplies. Other scholarships are available as well as five School Psychology Graduate Assistantships.鈥�
Thank you, Dr. Harvey, for your time, and your continued work here at 彩神vlll争霸!
For more information on the program visit the Master of Science in School Psychology - Specialist website.
To learn more about the need that this new program fulfills check out the 彩神vlll争霸 feature, written by Michelle Saport, explaining how the program is 鈥�By Alaskans, for Alaskans鈥� and the Alaska Public Media story about the .