The Department of Psychology
Department Overview
The Master of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology are designed to provide students with a broad background in psychology while allowing them opportunities to pursue areas of special interest. Depending on the program of interest, completion of the program requirements prepares students for positions in community mental health service agencies, school settings, community college teaching, research, data analytics settings, or entry into Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs in Psychology.
Admission Requirements
Admission to Master of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Educational Specialist (Ed.S) in School Psychology is based upon the satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses selected from the core courses required for the California State University, Fresno undergraduate major in psychology, or their equivalent. Potential graduate students should submit transcripts of all academic work, written statements, and three letters of recommendation. All students must submit applications to both the Division of Graduate Studies and the Department of Psychology.
Admission is based on the evaluation of a student’s capacity to successfully complete graduate level work. The graduate committee uses multiple criteria to assess an applicant’s qualifications, including coursework completed, grades, written statements, and letters of recommendation. In addition, an applicant’s professional interests and goals are evaluated in terms of the interests of the faculty and the resources of the Department of Psychology. Separate evaluations of applicants are made for the M.A. in Psychology program, the M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis program, and the Ed.S. in School Psychology program. Be aware that although many applicants meet our minimum admission requirements, we are limited in the number of positions available, and many qualified applicants cannot be offered admission.
Admission to classified graduate standing requires a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, as well as a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in undergraduate psychology courses. The Department of Psychology does not typically admit unclassified students into the graduate program.
Requirements after Admission to Program
Graduate Writing Requirement: The graduate writing requirement can be fulfilled in PSYCH 244A during the course of the graduate program. Further information can be found in the course syllabus and graduate handbook.
Advancement to Candidacy: In order to apply for advancement to candidacy, students must earn grades of A or B in PSYCH 244A and pass the Psychology Department Graduate Writing Requirement.
Psychology Educational Specialist Degree Requirements
The Educational Specialist (Ed.S) program with an emphasis in School Psychology requires a minimum of 71 semester hours over three years. During the first two years students are engaged in coursework and applying their newly acquired skills on practicum. During the third year of the program candidates are engaged in a full-time internship at a school site with weekly university for supervision classes. At program completion candidates earn the Ed.S. degree in School Psychology, are given institutional recommendations for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with Advanced Specialization in School Psychology and are eligible to apply for National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP).