Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. A graduate of a specialist in school
psychology program that is a National Association of School Psychologists
(NASP) -approved program is recognized as holding a specialist degree, or an
equivalent certificate, from a university offering a full-time graduate course
of study in school psychology. The NASP criteria for program approval serves as
a model for specialist-level training in school psychology.
B. Graduate education in specialist in school
psychology is delivered within the context of a comprehensive program framework
based on clear goals and objectives and a sequential, integrated course of
study in which human diversity is emphasized. Graduate education develops
candidates strong affiliation with school psychology, is delivered by qualified
faculty, and includes substantial coursework and supervised field experiences
necessary for the preparation of competent specialist-level school
psychologists whose services positively impact children, families, schools, and
other consumers.
C. Degrees from
online programs will only be accepted if NASP-approved and meet the
requirements in Subsection D of this Section.
D. A graduate of a specialist program that is
not approved by the NASP must meet the criteria listed below.
1. Training in school psychology is at the
specialist level offered in a regionally accredited institution of higher
education.
2. The program, wherever
it may be administratively housed, must be clearly identified and labeled as a
specialist in school psychology, or certificate, program. Such a program must
specify in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate
and train specialist-level school psychologists.
3. The specialist program must stand as a
recognizable, coherent organizational entity within the institution.
4. There must be a clear authority and
primary responsibility for all specialist program components consistent with
NASP standards for training programs.
5. The program must be an integrated,
organized sequence of study.
6.
There must be an identifiable school psychology faculty and a school
psychologist responsible for the program. A minimum of two program faculty must
have earned doctorates in school psychology.
7. The specialist program must have an
identifiable body of students who have matriculated in that program for a
degree.
8. The specialist program
must include supervised practicum and internship completed in field-based
settings consisted with NASP standards for training.
9. The specialist program shall involve at
least one continuous academic year of full-time residency on the campus of the
institution at which the degree is granted.
10. The curriculum shall encompass a minimum
of two academic years of full-time graduate study and an approved one-year
internship consistent with published NASP standards for training. Additionally,
the program shall require each student to demonstrate competence in each of the
NASP practice domains:
a. data-based decision
making and accountability;
b.
consultation and collaboration;
c.
interventions and instructional support to develop academic skills;
d. interventions and mental health services
to develop social and life skills;
e. school-wide practices to promote
learning;
f. preventive and
responsive services;
g.
family-school collaboration services;
h.
diversity in development and learning;
i. research and program evaluation;
j. legal, ethical, and
professional practice.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
37:2357.
