The 12 Best School Psychology Programs in California for 2026

The right school psychology program in California can shape your career in this growing field. These programs focus on helping K-12 students with their learning, social and emotional needs. Some programs boast a 100% employment rate, and the opportunities are promising.

California offers graduate programs with diverse pathways that include Ed.S., Master’s and Ph.D. options. Master’s programs and specialist degrees provide detailed training in assessment methods and evidence-based interventions.

In this guide, we explore 12 top programs that will help you make an informed decision.

University of Southern California – School Psychology Programs

Program Overview and Degree Options

USC’s psychology department at Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences operates differently from traditional school psychology programs. The university doesn’t offer a dedicated school psychology degree, but it provides relevant training through its clinical psychology pathways with child-focused specializations.

The department offers two master’s programs: the Master of Science in Applied Psychology and the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. USC provides PhD programs across five specialized areas to doctoral students. Clinical Science features a child-family major area of study relevant to those interested in working with school-aged populations.

Key Features and Specializations

The Clinical Science program stands out with its child-family major area of study. This specialization emphasizes a developmental psychopathology point of view and incorporates both normal and abnormal development within family, community, school, and cultural contexts. Faculty research spans culturally-responsive community-based treatments for ethnic minorities and peer relationship problems. These problems include aggression and victimization, along with longitudinal consequences of early adversity.

Students pursuing this path receive training in normal cognitive and social development, longitudinal research methods, and cultural context. Required practicum work has intervention with couples, children, and families through the Psychology Services Center. Additional experiences are available in schools, hospitals, and mental health clinics that serve youth and families.

The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis prepares students to work with individuals who have autism and other developmental disorders. Educational settings often serve these populations.

Curriculum Highlights

Doctoral students complete 36 psychology units during their first three years, along with specific research requirements. Clinical psychology PhD students must finish a full year of internship at an approved facility during their sixth year. The program follows an apprenticeship model. Students work closely with faculty in labs and on research projects.

Core evaluations include first-year screening based on coursework and research progress. A second-year project equivalent to a master’s thesis follows. Students face a fourth-year qualifying exam with dissertation proposal and a final dissertation defense by the fifth year.

Admission Requirements

Applications open September 1st each year, with admission only available to fall semester students. Most areas require submission by December 1st. Clinical science applicants face a priority deadline of November 10th. The application fee stands at $105.

You must submit a personal statement that addresses your psychology interests and how experiences influenced your development. The statement should cover direct psychology work experience and ten-year career goals. Three recommendation letters from professors or supervisors are required. The program does not require or review GRE scores. International students must provide TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Identify 1-3 faculty members matching your research interests when applying. Recommended coursework has introductory psychology, elementary statistics, research methods, and foundations in biological, developmental, social, personality, and cognitive psychology.

Accreditation and Credentials

USC holds full institutional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission since March 6, 1949. The clinical psychology program maintains accreditation from the American Psychological Association since 1948. This represents nearly eight decades of recognized excellence.

San Diego State University – Ed.S. in School Psychology

Program Overview and Degree Options

San Diego State University offers a 4-year integrated graduate-professional program leading to the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology and the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology. The Master of Science degree in counseling with a concentration in school psychology is completed by students at the end of the third semester. You stand for review and recommendation for the School Psychology Internship Credential at the conclusion of the third year.

Students entering with a bachelor’s degree must complete 93 units minimum. Annual tuition is $17,812. The program can be pursued on a credential-only basis or you can seek the Ed.S. degree if you hold master’s or doctoral degrees in related fields, though you must complete at least 47 units at SDSU.

Key Features and Specializations

SDSU’s program welcomes an ecosystemic philosophy with strong emphasis on multicultural content and experiences. The program has enrolled at least 70% students of color and persons from underrepresented groups since 1990. This includes LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, multi-lingual students and foster youth. Faculty expertise spans multicultural school issues and school-based mental health. Cross-cultural consultation and Native American and bilingual school psychology work are also areas of focus.

The scientist-practitioner training model prepares data-based problem-solvers given ecological and systems perspectives. Cultural competencies for multicultural populations and skills to function as change agents in schools are also developed.

Curriculum Highlights

Specific instructional themes center each year: Year 1 focuses on Ecosystemic Thinking and Data-Based Decision Making. Year 2 addresses Individual and Small Group Consultation within an MTSS Framework, Year 3 covers Advanced Systems Level Interventions, and Year 4 integrates Multicultural School Psychology into Professional Practice.

Fieldwork requirements progress in a systematic way:

Admission Requirements

Applications open October 1st each year. University applications are due December 1st and program applications are due December 15th. Interviews occur on February 21, 2026. You need a minimum 2.8 GPA in your last 60 semester units. GRE scores are required.

Admission reviews four readiness areas: academic (psychology or education background), professional (experience with children and schools), interpersonal (collaboration and leadership skills), and cross-cultural (cultural knowledge and anti-racist work understanding). The California Certificate of Clearance is required before you begin first-year fieldwork.

Accreditation and Credentials

The program holds full accreditation from both the National Association of School Psychologists and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. NASP specialist-level accreditation has been managed to keep since 1989. National accreditation makes easier eligibility for National Certification in School Psychology.

California State University, Long Beach – Ed.S. School Psychology

Program Overview and Degree Options

California State University, Long Beach awards the Education Specialist degree in School Psychology, a 60-unit program requiring an additional 6 prerequisite units. The program takes 3 years to complete and has 2-3 years of full-time coursework at 9-12 units per semester, 450 hours of practicum, and a 1,200-hour internship. Classes meet weeknights from 4:00-6:45 PM or 7:00-9:45 PM. This schedule provides flexibility to working professionals.

You receive the Ed.S. degree at graduation and meet qualifications for the California Pupil Personnel Services credential in School Psychology from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The application cycle for Fall 2027 opens with a December 1, 2026 university deadline.

Key Features and Specializations

CSULB’s program ranks #8 nationally for scholarly productivity among specialist-level programs. Students achieve a 100% Praxis exam pass rate for five consecutive years.

The program operates from an ecological theoretical perspective and trains you to understand that student difficulties stem from discrepancies between developing skills and environmental demands. You learn to modify learning environments and interventions to meet individual needs instead of focusing solely on student deficits.

The community clinic is a unique feature that has 19 client observation rooms where you conduct psychoeducational evaluations under direct faculty supervision. Faculty can observe and provide immediate feedback through this facility, an advantage few programs offer.

Student diversity improves learning experiences. Almost half of students (48%) come from historically underrepresented minority groups, and 52% are bilingual.

Curriculum Details

The 60-unit program has 51 core units and 9 emphasis units. Core courses cover educational statistics, psychoeducational assessment, counseling, crisis response, consultation, behavior assessment, and academic interventions.

You select from three emphasis options: Educational Psychology Emphasis (9 units from advanced courses), Thesis Emphasis (6 thesis units plus 3 elective units), or Related Field Emphasis (9 units from an existing master’s degree).

Admission Requirements

You need a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA in your last 60 semester units. The application requires GRE scores of 300 or higher (combined Verbal and Quantitative) or completion of a related master’s degree. Submit three professional reference letters and a personal statement. Attend a screening interview if selected.

Prerequisites have coursework in classroom management and child or adolescent development. You must get a Certificate of Clearance before beginning practicum work.

Accreditation and Credentials

The program holds full accreditation from both the National Association of School Psychologists and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. You must pass the National School Psychology Examination (Praxis) before program completion, which qualifies you for National Certification in School Psychology.

California State University, Fresno – Educational Specialist in School Psychology

Program Overview and Degree Options

California State University, Fresno operates a specialist-level program with full approval from the National Association of School Psychologists and accreditation from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The Educational Specialist degree program spans three years full-time with 71 credit units at minimum.

You earn the Ed.S. degree in School Psychology after completion and receive institutional recommendation for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with Advanced Specialization in School Psychology. Graduates qualify to apply for National Certification in School Psychology.

Key Features and Specializations

The program trains students according to the scientist-practitioner model and prepares competent professional psychologists for practice. Graduates have achieved a 100% employment rate, which reflects strong need for trained school psychologists.

The curriculum focuses on delivering school psychological services from a consultation framework to prevent and remediate learning and adjustment problems in children and adolescents. You learn to link assessment methodologies to empirically-based interventions while viewing problems from a systems/ecological view that covers the child, family, school and community.

Students develop cultural competence and responsiveness to individual differences through coursework and field experiences in inner city, suburban and rural settings. The program maintains collaborations with local school districts and matches students with carefully selected school-based supervisors.

Curriculum Highlights

Practicum experiences begin right away, with sites changing each semester to provide exposure to elementary and secondary schools, urban and rural districts, and special placements such as preschool and autism programs. You complete 600 hours of practicum at minimum during the first four semesters.

You complete a full academic year of supervised internship during the third year that consists of 1,200 hours, with at least 600 hours in a school setting. The culminating experience options include a project, thesis or complete exam with an elective course.

Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted once annually, with all materials due by February 1st for fall entry. You need a four-year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. A 3.0 GPA at minimum in psychology undergraduate courses and a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA represent typical expectations for successful applicants.

Passing scores on the California Basic Educational Skills Test must accompany application materials. Submit three letters of recommendation from people familiar with your academic work and your work in human services. Selected applicants participate in on-campus or virtual interviews before final admission decisions.

Accreditation and Credentials

The program has held full accreditation from NASP since 1994, with specialist-level full approval status last updated November 20, 2023. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has accredited the program for over 20 years.

University of California, Riverside – Ph.D. in School Psychology

Program Overview and Degree Options

UCR’s Graduate School of Education hosts the only American Psychological Association-accredited doctoral program in Southern California. This five-year Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 60 units and operates at the doctoral level only, with students earning an M.A. along the way but expected to complete the Ph.D.. Annual tuition stands at $27,864, with an additional health insurance fee of $1,793.55. 94% of students receive multi-year fellowships that cover tuition and health insurance and provide stipends. The program follows a cohort model where you progress through coursework with your entering class. Most complete training in 5.5 years.

Key Features and Specializations

The program promotes an eco-behavioral theoretical model that emphasizes evidence-based practice derived from applied behavior analytic, cognitive-behavioral, and social learning theory. You train as a scientist-practitioner and contribute to research while addressing K-12 learning, behavior, and cognition problems. UCR represents the most diverse UC campus. Students of color comprise more than 83% of the undergraduate population. This past year achieved 100% internship match rates through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers.

Curriculum Structure

Coursework spans research design methodology, psychological consultation and intervention, psychological and behavior assessment, and application of scientific psychology. You complete four full years of practica in a variety of settings that include elementary, middle, and high schools before the fifth-year predoctoral internship requiring 1,500 hours. Required courses include cognitive assessment, academic interventions, behavior therapy, consultation, and developmental psychopathology.

Admission Requirements

Applications close December 15th each year, with interviews held the last Friday in January. You need a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. International students require TOEFL scores of 550 paper-delivered or 80 iBT, or IELTS scores of 7 with no component below 6.

Accreditation and Credentials

The program received 10-year APA reaccreditation on November 11, 2019 and has maintained accreditation since 2004. NASP approval accompanies APA accreditation. You qualify for National Certification in School Psychology, California’s Pupil Personnel Services credential, Licensed Educational Psychologist credential, and state psychology licensure eligibility pending post-doctoral requirements when you complete the program.

California State University, San Bernardino – Ed.S. in School Psychology

Program Overview and Degree Options

CSU San Bernardino offers two distinct pathways among school psychology graduate programs: the Education Specialist degree combined with the Pupil Personnel Services Credential, and a standalone PPS credential program for those holding advanced degrees. The Ed.S. program requires 63 semester units and can be completed in under 3 years. The university launched it as a distance education program in 2017. Classes meet evenings from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The credential-only option serves professionals with existing master’s or doctoral degrees in Educational Counseling, Psychology, Child Development, Special Education, Marriage/Family Therapy, or Social Work. The program evaluates previous coursework for appropriate substitutions.

Key Features and Specializations

The program centers on social justice views throughout training. Faculty teach from this framework and focus on diversity, multiculturalism, social capital, and inclusive principles. The department values individual differences that include racial and ethnic backgrounds, nationality, gender expression, sexual orientation, abilities/disability, religion, socioeconomic status, and political diversity.

Coursework covers developmental science, neuroscience, evidence-based intervention, legal and ethical issues, multicultural counseling, research, measurement, and cognitive assessment.

Curriculum Highlights

Students complete 450 hours of applied practica during the first two years while enrolled in coursework. The third year centers on a 1,200-hour internship in school settings (P-12), with up to 400 hours possible in clinic settings. Supervision requires a minimum of two hours weekly on-site from a credentialed school psychologist with at least three years’ experience, plus two hours weekly at the university.

Admission Requirements

Applications open for fall admission only. You need a baccalaureate degree in Psychology, Child Development, or related social science fields with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Prerequisites require one class each in Child Development and Statistics. You must submit a personal statement, two recommendation letters, official transcripts, current negative TB test, Certificate of Clearance application, and passing CBEST scores.

Accreditation and Credentials

The program meets California Commission on Teacher Credentialing mandates and National Association of School Psychologists accreditation standards. You must pass the Praxis exam with a score one-half standard deviation below the national mean of 147.

National University – Master of Science in School Psychology

Program Overview and Degree Options

National University offers a three-year program that blends practical flexibility with rigorous training. The Master of Science in School Psychology pairs with the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology. You complete a minimum of 94.5 quarter units and earn both credentials after you finish all coursework, practicum, and internship. You must also achieve a score of 155 on the Praxis exam.

Professionals who hold related graduate degrees in counseling, psychology, social work or similar fields can take a credential-only pathway. This option requires just 31.5 quarter units. The units include 18 units of fieldwork (practicum and internship) and all five Applied Behavior Analysis courses that total 22.5 quarter units.

Key Features and Specializations

The program operates 100% online but requires you to attend sixteen mandatory all-day Saturday sessions via Zoom. These sessions cover assessment courses PED 671-674 and provide hands-on training with psychoeducational assessment materials. This is a distinctive feature among school psychology graduate programs.

Training follows the NASP practice model in ten domains, from data-based decision making to legal and ethical practice. The curriculum emphasizes consultation frameworks that prevent and remediate learning and adjustment problems. Family, school and community collaboration are incorporated.

Curriculum Highlights

Coursework spans psychological foundations, assessment methods, intervention strategies and research design. Field experiences progress systematically. You complete 450 practicum hours before the 1,200-hour internship, which splits equally between elementary and secondary levels.

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA minimum. Grades below B require you to repeat the course. Students who fall below 3.0 enter academic probation and have three courses to recover.

Admission Requirements

You need a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA minimum from a regionally accredited institution. You must submit negative TB test results, get a Certificate of Clearance and pass the CBEST exam. Undergraduate coursework in statistics, child development and special education strengthens your application.

Accreditation and Credentials

The program maintains WASC Senior College and University Commission accreditation and California Commission for Teacher Credentialing approval. The curriculum lines up with both CTC and NASP standards.

Capella University – EdS in School Psychology

Program Overview and Degree Options

Capella offers an online EdS in School Psychology designed for graduates of its MS in School Psychology program. The program requires a minimum of 59 quarter credits and has 300 practicum hours and 1,200 internship hours. You must register for PSY7121 School Psychology Internship at least three times to fulfill program requirements.

Key Features and Specializations

The program operates online but has one ten-week course with a five-day embedded in-person residency experience (PSY-R7004). Data-based decision making receives emphasis throughout the curriculum and prepares you to provide services in ever-changing communities. The program follows graduate preparation standards for school psychologists through an integrated, sequential structure that combines didactic instruction and supervised clinical training.

Curriculum Highlights

Core coursework spans ten courses totaling at least 59 quarter credits. Required classes are Data Based Decision Making, Professional Readiness in School Psychology, Treatment Planning and Report Writing, Organization and Operation of the School, Exceptional Children in the Classroom, and Social, Emotional and Behavioral Assessment.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold an MS in School Psychology from Capella University. Arkansas residents cannot apply to this program at this time.

Accreditation and Credentials

Capella maintains institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission since 1997. Completion alone does not guarantee meeting state requirements for professional licensure unless you fulfill additional conditions.

California State University, Northridge – School Psychology Master’s Programs in California

Program Overview and Degree Options

CSUN’s Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling delivers a three-year full-time Master of Science in School Psychology requiring 72 units. Evening classes meet between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM. The schedule works well for working professionals. When you complete the program, you earn the M.S. degree and qualify for California’s Advanced Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology. Graduates may pursue licensure as an Educational Psychologist after completing three years of experience and passing the Board of Behavioral Sciences exam.

Key Features and Specializations

The program trains you using a systems ecological model. You’ll participate in multi-tiered support systems that improve developmental assets for diverse populations. Candidates achieved a 100% Praxis exam pass rate for three consecutive years. Alumni report being “Extremely Well Prepared” for the field. Graduates get hired soon after program completion.

Curriculum Highlights

You complete 69 core units covering assessment, consultation, intervention, counseling and research, plus 3 culminating experience units. Field experiences total 1,650 hours: 450 practicum hours during year two and 1,200 internship hours during year three.

Admission Requirements

Four prerequisite courses must be completed within seven years with grades of B- or higher: Psychological Foundations K-12, Development and Learning in Early Childhood, Fundamentals of Counseling and Educational Statistics. You need a 2.5 GPA minimum in your last 60 units. All applicants must submit GRE scores whatever your GPA and participate in admission interviews.

Accreditation and Credentials

The National Association of School Psychologists conferred full accreditation on the program. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing also accredits the credential program.

University of California, Berkeley – School Psychology Graduate Programs

Program Overview and Degree Options

Founded in 1965, Berkeley’s School Psychology Program operates through the Graduate School of Education. It prepares graduates for leadership roles as practicing school psychologists, researchers, university educators and program directors at local, state and national levels. Students earn their master’s degree after completing the first milestone toward their doctorate. The program does not offer a terminal master’s degree. The BSE is pausing admissions for new doctoral students for the 2026-27 school year. The application portal will reopen in fall 2026 for courses beginning fall 2027.

Key Features and Specializations

Berkeley’s program stands apart through its unique faculty structure. Berkeley merges academic and research education with professional training, unlike programs with large core school psychology faculty. Students work with both an academic faculty advisor and a school psychology program advisor. Three professional clinical faculty teach School Psychology seminars and supervise students on campus. All are credentialed school psychologists and licensed psychologists. The program emphasizes developmental and ecological systems point of view alongside a school-based mental-health consultation model.

Curriculum

Core courses are taught by School of Education faculty. They provide theoretical and scientific leadership in their academic psychology areas. Students may conduct research with Berkeley professors in virtually any area of education or psychology.

Admission Requirements

You need a minimum 3.0 GPA. Application fees stand at $135 for U.S. citizens or permanent residents and $155 for international applicants. Submit three letters of recommendation, Statement of Purpose and Personal History.

Accreditation and Credentials

The program holds accreditation from the American Psychological Association, California State Department of Education and approval from the National Association of School Psychologists. You meet requirements for certification as a school psychologist and licensure as a psychologist in California upon completion.

Chapman University – Ed.S. in School Psychology

Program Overview and Degree Options

Chapman University’s Attallah College of Educational Studies administers an MA/Ed.S. program in School Psychology that prepares candidates to work with students from preschool through high school. Most students finish in 3 years, with an option to extend to 4 years of study. The program admits one cohort each year consisting of around 20 students.

Key Features and Specializations

Chapman is one of only five school psychology programs in the United States accredited by the International Association of School Psychologists. An optional emphasis fulfills educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and enables graduates to provide mental health services in private practice, community mental health and medical settings beyond schools. Students benefit from small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios. Financial support has the $10,000 Golden State Teacher Grant, with $1.5 million in combined funding distributed during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum lines up with NASP Domains of Training and Practice and eight guiding principles that emphasize collaboration, self-reflection and dedication to service. You complete 600 hours of practicum during your second year and 1,200 hours of internship during your third year.

Admission Requirements

Applications do not require GRE scores. Faculty conduct comprehensive reviews that evaluate your autobiographical statement, resume outlining experiences with children and families, and two recommendation letters. Selected candidates participate in on-campus interviews.

Accreditation and Credentials

The program holds accreditation from NASP, ISPA and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. You must pass the Praxis Exam with a score of 147 to qualify for National Certification in School Psychology. Graduates receive institutional recommendation for the California PPS credential.

Azusa Pacific University – School Psychology Graduate Programs

Program Overview and Degree Options

Azusa Pacific University provides Educational Specialist degrees with embedded Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and Pupil Personnel Services Credential. The base program requires 66 units and takes three years to complete. Two specialized tracks expand requirements: Applied Behavior Analysis (89 units) and Clinical and Educationally Related Mental Health Counseling (84 units). Each unit costs $855, bringing total costs to a range from $56,430 to $76,095. Those holding related master’s degrees can pursue a credential-only pathway.

Key Features and Specializations

The ABA track serves as a Verified Course Sequence that the Behavior Analyst Certification Board approves and meets BCBA eligibility requirements. The mental health specialization gives graduates pathways to Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor status. Students get experience in a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds through practicum sites.

Curriculum Emphasis

Students complete 450-550 practicum hours during the first two years. This is followed by 1,200 hours of fieldwork/internship split between primary and secondary settings [664]. A Graduate Research Project requiring IRB approval represents a culminating requirement and is followed by presentation to faculty and peer panels.

Admission Requirements

Submit a $45 application fee, transcripts showing minimum 3.0 GPA, two recommendations and a five-page autobiography. Certificate of Clearance and passing CBEST scores are mandatory before fieldwork begins.

Accreditation and Credentials

NASP approval with conditions, CAEP accreditation and California Commission on Teacher Credentialing accreditation confirm program quality. Pass the Praxis exam with 155 or higher to qualify for National Certification.

Take Steps for Your Future

California has exceptional school psychology programs suited to your career goals. You can choose specialist-level training at SDSU or CSULB, doctoral preparation at UC Riverside, or flexible online options through National University. Each program brings unique strengths. Chapman has international accreditation. Fresno State boasts a 100% employment rate. Think over factors like accreditation status and program length when you make your decision. You might prioritize NASP-accredited programs for national certification eligibility or select schools that offer mental health counseling emphases. Your ideal program depends on your professional aspirations, learning priorities, and geographic location. Start your application process early since most programs accept candidates just once a year.