Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology at GSU

The COE’s Division of Psychology and Counseling offers an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in School Psychology.  The advanced program is a four-year, cohort-based model that provides future school psychologists a solid professional and academic foundation that reflects the depth and diversity in both psychology and education.  Students who graduate from the Educational Specialist in School Psychology program will have also earn a M.A. in School Psychology and be eligible to apply for practice in the state of Illinois.

This challenging program requires a total of 66-credit hours, and prepares professionals to directly and indirectly deliver a continuum of educational and mental health services to children and families.  GSU’s graduates are equipped to enhance student achievement and wellness by functioning in multiple roles including treatment, assessment, and consultative modalities, as well as teaching and research roles.

An Educational Specialist in School Psychology is a rewarding career that offers the opportunity to work in a number of different settings such as public and private schools, juvenile detention centers or daycare centers and deals with students of all ages.  Practitioners in the field work with teachers as well as other educators to augment the learning process and well-being of each student they serve.  

In addition to the ED.S. in School Psychology degree, we also offer a Master of Arts in Psychology program that consists of a clinical sequence and a theoretical sequence.  Both are designed to prepare students for advanced graduate studies in psychology, and provide a broader understanding of cultural and individual differences.  Please see the College of Education’s website for the complete information and requirements on our undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs.

We invite you to explore our many degree, certificate and individual course offerings listed on our website.  Each college has stellar programs and world-class professors; all of which are focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Learn more about the College of Education’s quality advanced degree programs designed to prepare the leaders of tomorrow.

The Division of Psychology and Counseling Certificate Offerings

In addition to our Master of Arts in Psychology and Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in School Psychology degrees, the COE’s Division of Psychology and Counseling offers several certificate programs.  The non-degree, post B.A. or M.A. certificates provide professionals with the opportunity to enhance their education and add to their current credentials.  

The Counseling Program offers a College Career Counseling Certification [AL1] (Post B.A.) that is a sequence of five 3-credit hour courses.  This certificate prepares professionals to work with adolescents and adults in order to help them develop college career readiness to successfully enter a chosen career path.  Much of the work is done online but there are face to face class meetings that help to foster a sense of community among the students. 

Another program from the Division of Psychology and Counseling is our School Counseling Certificate (Post M.A.).  This 24-credit hour program is approved to prepare students for the Professional Educator License-Endorsed in School Counseling.  To be admitted to the certificate program, students must possess a master’s degree in Counseling or Psychology.  The certificate is awarded once students meet all university requirements.

The Mindfulness in the Helping Professions Certificate also requires a B.A. degree and is a 14-credit hour multidisciplinary program offered jointly by the College of Education and the College of Health and Human Services.  The program focuses on three areas, academic, professional and personal.  The academic perspective deals with the latest research on the application of mindfulness in a variety of clinical settings.  Professionally, students develop intervention techniques to treat a variety of clinical problems and disorders, while on a personal level; they learn how to integrate mindfulness practices in their own lives. 

Please see our website for the complete details and requirements for these challenging certificates along with information on all of GSU’s College of Education programs.  Our degree and certificate programs are offered in a variety of formats that make it easy to pursue your educational goals. 

We encourage you to explore our many degree, certificate and individual course offerings listed on our website.  Each college has stellar programs and world-class professors; all of which are focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of the top colleges in Illinois.  

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Certificate Programs from the COE’s Division of Education

Along with our many undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the College of Education’s (COE) Division of Education offers several non-degree certificates.  These programs are designed for students who currently hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and offer the opportunity to enhance your education and add to your current credentials. 

In light of the rapidly increasing growth of fully online and hybrid format courses, there is a need for professionals to be able to develop and facilitate high-quality online learning. Our 12-credit hour Certificate in Online Teaching (Post B.A.) is specifically designed for graduate students, college faculty, K-12 teachers, community college instructors and others.  The program teaches students the most effective methods for teaching online courses.  Although it is offered year-round, the, fully online program must be taken in sequence.  Certificates are awarded to those who achieve a “B” or better in each of the four required classes.

Another post-B.A. offering is the Reading Teacher Certificate.  This program leads to an Illinois State Board of Education endorsement.  To be eligible, students must hold an Illinois or comparable out-of-state license in Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Secondary, or Special Education. In addition you must have already completed two years of teaching before taking the reading diagnosis course.  The certificate requires 24-credit hours. 

Also the Division of Education offers an Early Childhood Education (Post-BA) Certificate.  This is a “license only” track and is for licensed Elementary or Special Education teachers.  Please keep in mind that this does not lead to a M.A. degree. 

The professional education unit at GSU seeks to offer the highest quality academic programs, balancing innovation and best practice to meet the needs of adult lifelong learners.  Please see the College of Education’s website for contact information as well as details and requirements on all of our exceptional programs.    

Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both.  We have a highly diverse student body and our courses are taught by gifted professors. Our rich history, cultural amenities and a beautiful campus all contribute to making us one of best colleges in Chicago.