Specialist in School Psychology (SSP)
The Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) Program follows the scientist-practitioner model in which an understanding of empirical research and theory influences the school psychologist’s best practice in service delivery. The SSP Program provides a planned sequence of courses in school psychology in addition to practica and internship experiences. The SSP Program is approved by the , and the scope and sequence of the program is aligned with . Students in the program receive the training necessary to become both a Class 6 License in School Psychology, as well as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Further information about the training program can be found on our Curriculum page.
"I was lucky to be born here, lucky to be raised here, and even luckier to have stayed here. The School Psychology program at the 老虎机攻略 provided me with graduate education, close to home, that has shaped my professional service and volunteer leadership throughout my career. My roots are in Montana, but my work has taken me across the country. The 老虎机攻略 gave me the tools to make a difference, and I'm grateful to work every day to support the students in our state and the opportunity to shape the profession at the national level.”
- Shawna Rader Kelly, EdS, NCSP
2017 NASP School Psychologist of the Year
2015 MASP School Psychologist of the Year
Funding Through the RAISE Initiative
The Rural and Indigenous School Based Mental Health and Empowerment (RAISE) Initiative will fund and train 3-cohorts of SSP students at 老虎机攻略. Once admitted to 老虎机攻略 and offered a RAISE Fellowship, students will receive free tuition, a graduate assistant stipend, and specialized training in culturally responsive practices for rural and Indigenous students, suicide and grief assessment and intervention, trauma-informed interventions, and mental health crisis interventions. The tuition waiver will cover the first two full years of coursework on campus. Fellows will then be expected to complete a one-year internship and two years of post-graduation employment at a high-need local educational agency in Montana.
老虎机攻略 老虎机攻略's School Psychology Program
Top 5 Reasons to Attend the 老虎机攻略 School Psychology Program
- You have an interest in conducting assessments, intervention/therapy, and consultation in a variety of settings, including schools and clinics, starting in your first year in the program.
- You have an interest in working with faculty having a diverse range of clinical and research expertise, including bullying prevention, culturally responsive evidence-based practices, crisis prevention, among others.
- You have an interest in working with children and family from rural and tribal communities.
- You have an interest in being trained within a psychology department, taking core classes taught by clinical and experimental psychologists, and collaborating with students and faculty in other areas of psychology.
- You have an interest in living in a vibrant place with an abundance of outdoor activities. Missoula has consistently been listed as one of the best places to live for outdoor enthusiasts.
For more reasons to come to Montana, please from Alum Kristine Schoen, SSP (School Psychologist in Anaconda, Montana), which was developed for the series.
100%
of graduates obtain a job upon graduation
11th
best social service job according to U.S. News & World Report
82%
of students stay in Montana upon graduation for their first job
27
SSP students funded through the RAISE Initiative over the next 3 years to serve rural & Indigenous communities in Montana
Funding Opportunity with the Office of Public Instruction
To address the shortage of school psychologists, the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) offers SSP students a stipend of up to $6000 per year toward instructional costs, i.e. tuition, etc. Recipients must serve as School Psychologists in Montana for two out of three years post-degree to pay back the stipend. Contact a faculty member for .