Most school psychologist positions require completion of a specialist-level program — typically an Education Specialist (EdS) degree consisting of at least 60 graduate semester credits. Candidates also complete a supervised internship and pass the Praxis School Psychologist exam (administered by ETS). Many candidates pursue the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential through NASP. State licensure requirements vary.
If you’ve been comparing school psychology to other clinical specialties, you’ve probably noticed that the education requirements look different from what’s expected for, say, a clinical psychologist. That’s not an accident. School psychology has its own training pipeline, built around the EdS degree and a nationally recognized certification process — and for most people, that’s genuinely good news.
Here’s what the credential path actually looks like.
What Degree Does a School Psychologist Need?
Most school psychologist positions require completion of a specialist-level program — typically the Education Specialist (EdS) degree — consisting of at least 60 graduate semester credits. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has built its training standards around the EdS, and most employers in PK-12 settings expect it.
EdS programs include coursework in I/Q evaluation, counseling, educational psychology, child development, and behavioral intervention — the full toolkit for working in preschool through K-12 school settings. A structured, supervised internship is built into the degree.
If you’re planning to pursue this credential, check out our list of accredited school psychology programs as a starting point. Some states offer limited or alternative pathways, but most require completion of a specialist-level (60-credit) program. Check your state’s licensing board for what specifically applies to you.
Do School Psychologists Need a PhD?
In most states, no. A doctorate isn’t required to practice as a school psychologist. The EdS is the standard entry credential for PK-12 school settings, and it’s the basis for NASP’s training framework.
A PhD or PsyD in school or clinical psychology can open doors to faculty positions, research roles, or private practice, and a small number of states require it for certain licensure tracks. But if your goal is working directly with students in schools, you don’t need one. This is one of the few specializations in psychology where the specialist-level credential is the norm rather than the exception.
How Long Does It Take to Become a School Psychologist?
Add it up, and you’re looking at roughly six to seven years. Four years for a bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, or a related field, then two to three years for an EdS or master’s program. Most EdS programs run three years when you include the required internship.
Plan to finish your undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA. Competitive school psychology graduate programs set that as a floor, and they’ll want to see coursework in child development, abnormal psychology, and research methods on your transcript.
How Do You Get Licensed as a School Psychologist?
Most school psychologists take the Praxis School Psychologist exam (administered by ETS) as part of their state licensure process. To qualify through NASP’s pathway, you need 60 semester credits (or 90 quarter credits) from an accredited school psychology program and a 1,200-hour supervised internship, with at least 600 hours completed in a school setting.
Many candidates also pursue the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential through NASP. Earning the NCSP requires a passing score of 165 on the Praxis School Psychologist exam, along with the program credits and internship hours above. The NCSP is a nationally recognized credential, but it doesn’t automatically satisfy every state’s licensure requirements — check your state’s board of psychology or department of education for the full picture.
As for earnings, school psychologists earned a median annual wage of $95,990 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS projects continued demand for school psychologists nationally, driven by growing recognition of student mental health needs in schools. For a deeper look at the career numbers, see our page on the employment outlook for school psychologists.
Select your state below to find accredited school psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Psychologists (including Clinical & Counseling, Industrial-Organizational, and School Psychologists) and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.