The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP) licenses school psychologists in the State of Texas as Licensed School Psychologists (LSP). The LSP can be obtained with a graduate degree in psychology with the completion of at least 60 hours, including a practicum and internship in school psychology. The Texas licensure requirements can be found on the TSBEP website. Information on licensing and credentialing requirements in other states can be found at NASP's website.

Most students in the school psychology concentration live outside of the Lubbock area and already work in public schools as diagnosticians, school counselors, behavior specialists, and teachers. Prospective students are drawn to our program because they aspire to become school psychologists, but as full-time employees, they require a more flexible schedule than traditional school psychology programs offer.

Typically, school psychology programs are face-to-face and have weekly in-person class requirements. Many programs also prohibit students from working full-time because of the rigorous coursework demands. Although our program is not 100% online, our hybrid modality makes training as a school psychologist possible for many who live in more remote locations or just need a lesser face-to-face commitment for family or employment reasons.

Many of our students participate in the Special Education Small and Rural Schools Evaluation Certification Reimbursement Program (ECRP) offered through the Texas Education Agency and facilitated by Education Service Center 15. The grant program provides funding for current school staff members to further their education to become school psychologists by receiving reimbursement for tuition, books, and other costs associated with graduate school enrollment. Applications are accepted two times per year in April and October, and applicants must 1) be enrolled and actively taking classes in a school psychology program, 2) currently work in a small or rural LEA, and 3) pledge to continue working in a small or rural LEA after becoming licensed.

This course introduces students to the school psychology profession. Course content provides an overview of APA and NASP professional standards, as well as key legislation, including IDEA, Section 504, and case law, relevant to the practice of school psychology.

This course is designed to facilitate an advanced understanding of behavioral theory through practical training. Students learn procedures and techniques to effectively evaluate the function of behaviors, design intervention plans, and collaborate with other professionals to improve outcomes.

The course is designed as an intensive investigation of educational and psychological tests used in the practice of school psychology. There is an emphasis on the influence of psychometric properties, administration, and practical applications, including diagnosis, eligibility, educational programming, decision making, and progress monitoring. 

In this course, students explore the systematic process of program evaluation. They develop knowledge and skills necessary to collect and analyze data evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs.

This course is designed to facilitate a comprehensive and integrated understanding of psychopathology in children and adolescents. The content investigates diagnostic criteria, etiology, developmental factors, course, comorbidity, dual/differential diagnoses, evidence-based assessment measures and treatments, and research findings related to mental health disorders in children and adolescents.