Educational Specialist (EdS)
in School Psychology

About

The Educational Specialist in School Psychology (EdS) distance-learning program is designed for working professionals. You’ll earn your degree through online coursework with synchronous and in-person training requirements.

Our EdS tracks are fully online and have recently become the first of their kind in the nation to receive full accreditation by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

Our coursework, practicum, internship, and portfolio expectations are aligned with state and national training standards set forth by the National Association of School Psychologists. You’ll receive training in:

  • Student and program evaluation (measurement principles)
  • Development of academic and social-behavioral intervention plans (e.g., instructional and behavioral analysis, consultation and home-school collaboration)
  • Research (methods and statistics)

We adopt a preventive focus by training candidates to assess and intervene at the individual, school-wide and at-risk group level. Knowledge and skills are developed through integrated coursework, field experiences and internship.

Our program requires a strong field-based supervisory model. We train our site-based supervisors in the late summer/early fall and our practicum students and interns have measurable goals for their field experiences. We continue to encourage applications from professionals who have established a relationship with a school district that is supporting their application and that can offer strong supervision. We like to see that applicants are applying from districts that are willing to implement NASP’s practice model that includes school psychologists in direct service roles and that are offering paid internships. If you wish to apply to one of our program tracks and do not yet have a connection to a school district in your area, reach out before you apply to seek these connections and ask these questions. This will help pave the path to finding a potential supervisor and placement that will meet your needs and our requirements.

Request Info Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university in psychology, education, early childhood education, or related fields, with the applicant’s transcript showing evidence of courses in inferential statistics and developmental psychology (evidence of courses in research methods, learning, abnormal psychology, tests and measurement, and biopsychology are highly recommended).
  • A GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester graded post-secondary credits
  • For the hybrid track program, have a minimum of 150 hours of professionally relevant experience working with children, youth, and/or individuals with disabilities.
  • For the online tracks program, have at least three years of full-time experience teaching in schools or at least five years of relevant professional experience in a closely related field.
  • For the online accelerated two-year track, students must have a graduate degree in a related field.

Application Information

Choosing Your Track

The Educational Specialist in School Psychology (EdS) may be available as a hybrid track, 2-year online track, or 3-year online track. There are a few differences between the programs; use the following table to help decide which track is best for you.

CategoryHybrid (3-year) TrackOnline 3-year TrackOnline 2-year Track
Eligibility Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university in psychology, education, early childhood education, or related fields, with the applicant’s transcript showing evidence of courses in inferential statistics and developmental psychology (evidence of courses in research methods, learning, abnormal psychology, tests and measurement, and biopsychology are highly recommended)
  • GPA ≥3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester-graded credits
  • Minimum of 150 hours of professionally relevant experience working with children, youth, and/or individuals with disabilities
  • Meet Eastern's graduate admissions requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university in psychology, education, early childhood education, or related fields, with the applicant’s transcript showing evidence of courses in inferential statistics and developmental psychology (evidence of courses in research methods, learning, abnormal psychology, tests and measurement, and biopsychology are highly recommended)
  • GPA ≥3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester-graded credits
  • At least three years of full-time experience teaching in schools or at least five years of relevant professional experience in a closely related field
  • Meet Eastern's graduate admissions requirements
  • Graduate degree from a regionally accredited university in psychology, education, early childhood education, or related fields, with the applicant’s transcript showing evidence of courses in inferential statistics and developmental psychology (evidence of courses in research methods, learning, abnormal psychology, tests and measurement, and biopsychology are highly recommended)
  • GPA ≥3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester-graded credits
  • At least three years of full-time experience teaching in schools or at least five years of relevant professional experience in a closely related field
  • Meet Eastern's graduate admissions requirements
On-site RequirementsStudents must visit campus twice per year for 2-3 days (plus travel time)Students must visit campus once per year for 2-3 days (plus travel time)Students must visit campus once per year for 2-3 days (plus travel time)
Weekly Synchronous Online ClassesTwo eveningsTwo eveningsTwo evenings
Program LengthThree calendar years, beginning in the summerFull-time Track
  • Three calendar years, beginning in the summer
Accelerated Track
  • Two calendar years, beginning in the summer
Classes Per Quarter
  • 2-3 content classes (summer)
  • 2-3 content classes plus practicum (fall, winter, spring)
Full-time Track
  • 3 content classes (summer)
  • 2-3 content classes plus practicum (fall, winter, spring)
Accelerated Track
  • 4 content classes (summer)
  • 3-4 content classes plus practicum (fall, winter, spring)
Transfer-in Credit PolicyTransfer-in up to 12 graduate-level credits for aligned/approved courses.Transfer-in applicable graduate credits as approved by the application committee.Transfer-in applicable graduate credits as approved by the application committee. Recommended for participation in the accelerated track.
Program ApprovalApproved by National Association of School Psychologists.Approved by National Association of School Psychologists.Approved by National Association of School Psychologists.
Tuition
  • In-state and out of state tuition: visit the tuition and aid page.


  • Our program is 109 credits total. The total number of credits you will take may be less depending on if you transfer-in any credits to your program of study. Only graduate-level coursework is eligible for transfer. Please see our Transfer Credit Request process for more information about transferring courses.
  • Visit the Special Programs Tuition Rates page.


  • Our program is 109 credits total. The total number of credits you will take may be less depending on if you transfer-in any credits to your program of study. Only graduate level coursework is eligible for transfer. Please see our Transfer Credit Request process for more information about transferring courses.
  • Visit the Special Programs Tuition Rates page.


  • Our program is 109 credits total. The total number of credits you will take may be less depending on if you transfer-in any credits to your program of study. Only graduate level coursework is eligible for transfer. Please see our Transfer Credit Request process for more information about transferring courses.

Learn More

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