Master of Science in School Psychology (MSSP)

• Admission Requirements
• General Requirements
• Curriculum

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Program Description

Mission Statement

The Master of Science in School Psychology Program at Ponce Health Sciences University (Ponce Campus and San Juan University Center) prepares a new generation of School Psychologists to competently address the needs of children, adolescents, family, and school community, to engage in learning activities and to improve their social-emotional development. The student is prepared to develop knowledge and skills based on the Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychology Services from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Students also develop an additional area of interest in neuropsychology.   

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Program Goals

To develop in students the knowledge and skills of psychology applied to the school setting based on evaluation, intervention, consulting and collaboration from ethics and cultural diversity. 

Likewise, the main objective of the program is aligned with the NASP standards and ten domains.  

	Core Competency (NASP Domains)
Objective 1	Data-Based Decision Making Students will apply assessment methods for identifying strengths and needs, guided by data-based decision making.
Objective 2	Consultation and Collaboration   Students will recognize diverse models and strategies of consultation and collaboration to promote effective services to children, adolescents, families, and the school community.
Objective 3	Academic Interventions and Supports Students will acknowledge the biological, cultural, and social influences on academic skills, to deliver effective academic interventions and instructional supports.
Objective 4	Mental and Behavioral Health Services Students will apply evidence-based interventions with children and adolescents in the school setting based on cultural and ethical aspects and considering the diversity of the school community.
Objective 5	School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning Students will be able to contribute to school-wide practices to promote learning by developing and implementing evidence-based practices and strategies, to create and maintain effective and supportive learning environments for children and the school community.
Objective 6	Service to Promote Safe and Supportive Schools Students will implement their knowledge in services to promote safe and supportive schools in learning, mental and behavioral health, and physical and psychological safety in crisis situations.
Objective 7	Family, School, and Community Collaboration Students will implement skills for the assessment of needs and strengths, implementation of services and their evaluation, focused on supporting families from a perspective of collaboration and integration with the school and community.
Objective 8	Equitable Practices for Diverse Populations Students will demonstrate skills to provide professional services according to the equitable practices for diverse student populations.
Objective 9	Research and Evidence-Based Practice Students will apply knowledge of research and evidence-based practice to support effective practices at an individual, group, and systems level.
Objective 10	Legal, Ethical and Professional Practice Students will apply their knowledge of school psychology consistent with legal, ethical, and professional practices.

 

 

Area of Interest in Neuropsychology Goal and Objectives

 

To develop in student’s foundational competencies in the field of Neuropsychology allowing them to develop a broad understanding of brain-behavior relationships. Students will gain knowledge about the neurophysiology of learning and the application of brain-based learning strategies.

Objective 1	Students will integrate the theoretical knowledge of the field of School Psychology and neuropsychology with the skills needed to practice in academic and clinical settings.
Objective 2	Students will learn about the most recent research findings in the field of neuropsychology and will be able to interpret and apply them to their practice and scholarly activities.
Objective 3	Students will identify the development of the nervous system as it applies to the emergence of cognitive and neuropsychological functions and will apply this knowledge to the understanding of neuropathological conditions in children and adolescents in academic learning and other contexts.
Objective 4	Students will obtain the skills to conduct cognitive, personality, psychoeducational and neuropsychological assessment. Emphasis will be placed in the skills needed to interpret the test results and report writing.
Objective 5	Students will gain this knowledge as a mean to expand their current understanding of cognitive process. They are expected to apply their knowledge of neuropsychology responsibly and according to the ethical principles of the profession.

 

    

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Admission Requirements

 

Candidates for admission will satisfy the following minimal requirements:

 

1. A bachelor’s degree from a college or university approved by the Council on Higher Education and/or by the corresponding regional accrediting agencies.
   1. At least 15 credits in Psychology at the bachelor’s level including de following courses:

Course	Credit
General Psychology	3
Developmental Psychology	3
Statistics	3
Pschopathology	3
Experimental Psychology or Research Methods	3

1. Submit an official transcript of all college level work completed and of all graduate courses taken.
2. A minimal GPA of 3.00
3. Two letters of recommendation from professors or professionals familiar with the candidate’s performance in academic and work settings.
4. Certificate of good conduct from the Police Department.
5. A personal interview.

 

Transfer Of Credits Policy

 

The following criteria will apply in considering courses for transfer: 

• Only courses approved with a minimum grade of B will be considered for transfer.
• A maximum of 18 credits may be transferred. 
• The student may need to provide the course syllabus and the official catalog of the institution where the course (s) requested for transfer was/were taken.

 

 

PHSU Master in School Psychology to Clinical Psychology PsyD Program

Students from the Master in School Psychology (MSSP) program from Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) may apply for admission to the Clinical Psychology PsyD program where some master’s courses may be transferred. To be considered, the following conditions must be given:

1. Complete all academic requirements for the MSSP program with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
2. Demonstrate satisfactory professional behavior in both academic and practicum/internship sites, as affirmed by the program director.
3. Apply for admission and comply with all PHSU PsyD admission requirements, including a request for transfer of credits.
4. The PsyD Program reserves the right to determine the number of students accepted into the program each academic year.
5. Students that are accepted from the MSSP program will not be eligible to receive the master’s in science in Clinical Psychology (MSCP).

 

Psychology Degree Granted

 

The degree in Psychology to be granted is the “Masters of Science in School Psychology” or M.S. in School Psychology with an area of interest in Neuropsychology. This program is authorized by the P.R. Council of Higher Education.

 

Requirements for the Degree

 

The requirements to obtain the Master of Science in School Psychology degree are:

 

1. Successfully complete all foundation courses, core courses, courses in the neuropsychology area of interest, as well as practicum and internship requirements, while maintaining satisfactory academic progress.  A minimum of 62 credits is needed to satisfy the academic requirements (as described in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy).

 

1. Successfully complete 160 hours of clinical practice during the first four semesters of the program as follows:

1. Complete 1.5 hours per week for 20 weeks during the first and second semesters of the first year by attending didactic and practice sessions (SCP 5800/5900), totaling 30 hours per semester.
2. Complete 1.5 hours per week for 20 weeks (30 hours) during the first and second semester of the second year by attending didactic sessions and participating in evaluation and intervention practice sessions (SCP 6000/6010). In addition, students must complete 20 hours of on-site practicum per semester at an approved practicum site for a combined total of 50 hours per semester.

 

1. Complete a total of 1,200 hours of internship (SCP 7003), with a minimum of 600 hours completed in a school setting.

 

1. No Incomplete courses or C grades. All incomplete grades must have been removed and all courses that require repetition must have been approved.

 

1. Approve the Comprehensive Examination (CE) offered at the end of the second year, second semester.

  

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General Requirements

 

Time Frame for the completion of the Academic Program, including Satisfactory Academic Progress 

 

A Master of Science in School Psychology Student will be allowed a maximum time frame of two years of enrollment beyond the standard required for the completion of the program (three years). 

The total years for completion of a degree include those graduate courses accredited on admission to our program. 

 

Program	Standard	Maximum
Master of Science in School Psychology	3 years	5 years

 

Definition of full-time: Students with an academic load of 6 credits or more per semester will be considered full-time master students.   

Definition of half-time: Students with an academic load of 3 to 5 credits per semester will be considered half-time students.  

Definition of less than half-time: Students with an academic load of less than 3 credits per semester will be considered less than half-time or part-time students. 

 

Completion of Program Requirements 

1. Course Requirement 
   1. Successfully complete all foundation courses, core courses, courses in the neuropsychology area of interest, as well as practicum and internship requirements within the established time frame.  The Program requires a total of 62 credits, while maintaining satisfactory academic progress, including the internship year.  
2. Performance Requirement 
   1. Students must complete each academic year with a minimum grade point average of 3.00. Any student failing to meet this standard of performance will be referred to the Students Promotion Committee.  
3. Successfully complete 160 hours of clinical practice during the first 4 semesters of the program as follows:  
   1. Complete 1.5 hours per week for 20 weeks of the first and second semester of the first year attending didactic and practice sessions (SCP 5800/5900) - including practical exercises with standardized patients, for a total of 30 hours per semester.  
   2. Complete 1.5 hours per week for 20 weeks of the first and second semester of the second year attending didactic sessions (SCP 6000/6010) for a total of 30 hours per semester. In addition, students must complete 20 hours of supervised practice on an approved practicum site.  
4. Complete 1,200 hours of internship (SCP 7003), of which 600 hours must be completed in a school setting.   
5. Comprehensive Examination Requirement: A Comprehensive Examination must be taken upon completion of the second academic year. A minimum passing score of 70% is a requirement for candidacy to the master’s degree. 
6. Professional Behavior Requirement: Students should conduct themselves in accordance with the norms for professional conduct set forth by Ponce Health Sciences University, the corresponding accreditation agencies, and the Practice Manual of the MSSP Program. 

 

Appeal Process for Academic Affairs

Students who are notified by the Program’s Dean a decision of the Students Promotion Committee that he/she must repeat failed courses during the next academic year or to be dismissed from the program, have the right to appeal the decision within five working days after receiving the notification.

The appeal or due process presented below must be followed.

The student will appeal in writing to the Students Promotion Committee (SPC) and include all relevant documentation to support the request. The Committee will evaluate the reasons and evidence submitted to determine if they change their initial decision. The SPC has 48 hours to submit its decision to the Program’s Dean, who will notify the decision to the student.

If the SPC sustains the adverse decision, the Dean notifies the student who may exercise their right to appeal to the Dean of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (SBBS). The appeal must be submitted in writing within five (5) working days of receiving the notification. The Dean of SBBS will evaluate the appeal and the student’s academic record. Rejection of the appeal by the Dean is final.

The SBBS Dean can appoint a three-member AdHoc Committee to re-evaluate all evidence. If an Ad-Hoc Committee is appointed, they will notify the student in writing of the date and the time when the appeal will be evaluated. After the meeting, the Ad-Hoc Committee has forty-eight (48) hours to submit a recommendation to the Dean of SBBS. The Dean will consider the Ad-Hoc Committee recommendation and make the final decision within forty-eight (48) hours.

Any decision will be reported to the student in writing. The decision made by the SBBS Dean is final.

The same process described above will be followed in the case that the adverse decision made by the Committee is for non-academic reasons, such as unacceptable professional behavior. The Program Dean or the VP for Student Affairs will refer the case to the SPC. If the recommendation of the SPC is to dismiss the student, the appeal process described above may be activated.

If an adverse decision is made due to non-academic reasons and the Dean of SBBS sustains the decision after the appeal process, the student may appeal to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs and then to the President.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Financial Aid eligibility is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. Please refer to the institutional policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress published by the Office of Financial Aid.

Enforcement

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs shall have primary responsibility for overseeing this policy and will provide all health sciences students a copy of this document upon admission to Ponce Health Sciences University.

The President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Vice President for Student Affairs, as well as the Program Dean, Registrar and Financial Aid Director will receive all pertinent data to ensure proper enforcement of the policy here set forth.

Tuition and Fees

For more details of PHSU tuition and fees please refer to: Tuition and Fees 2025-2026.pdf

ALL TUITION AND FEES ARE PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE REGISTRATION.

Ponce Health Sciences University reserves the right to increase the tuition or other fees as deemed necessary.

 

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