Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education

College of Education

Dr. Richard Blackbourn, Dean

Dr. Tom Hosie, Department Head and Graduate Coordinator

508 Allen Hall

662-325-3426

email:  hosie@colled.msstate.edu

The Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education offers graduate programs in college counseling, community counseling, general educational psychology, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, school psychology, special education, and student affairs in higher education. 

Counseling doctoral applications are due February 1.  Applications for master’s and educational specialist programs are due March 1.  Applications will be considered until full enrollment is attained.  Applications for all School Psychology programs are due February 1.  Applications may be reviewed at other times for general educational psychology and special education.  For further information, write to Graduate Coordinator, Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education, P.O. Box 9727, Mississippi State University, MS  39762. 

Counseling Programs

Faculty members:  Abraham, Bailey, Cavenaugh, Dooley, Hendren, Hermann, Hosie, Keith, Looby, Moore, Olivieri, Palmer, Pike, Porter, Sheperis, Thomas, Underwood, Watson, Wells, Wozny, Young

The department prepares students for careers as school counselors, student affairs professionals in higher education, and as counselors in rehabilitation, college counseling centers, and other community agencies.  Initial admission applications for the doctoral programs are due February 1.  Applications for master’s and educational specialist programs are due March 1.  Applications will be considered until full enrollment is attained.  Some teaching and research assistantships are available. 

Program Accreditations—The M.S. program in rehabilitation counseling is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education(CORE).  The M.S. programs in school counseling, college counseling, and community counseling are accredited by the Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP), as are the doctoral programs in Counseling (PHCE) and in School Counseling (PHSE).  The school counseling program also is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). 

Graduate study in Counseling offers preparation in counseling at three levels:

1.     The M.S. degree with concentrations in college counseling, community counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and student affairs in higher education; 

2.     The Counseling emphasis for the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree.  The Ed.S. degree is designed to provide advanced course work in school counseling, community counseling, rehabilitation counseling, college counseling, and student affairs.  Many students enrolled in the Ed.S. degree program are seeking licensure or higher levels of certification.

3.     Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Counseling and School Counseling. 

4.     The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree program with an emphasis in Counseling has suspended admissions.

Admission Criteria for Counseling Programs—A student accepted into the M.S. degree programs of Counseling must hold a baccalaureate degree and a minimum GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.  Results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the past five years must be submitted. 

A student accepted into the Ed.S. degree program with an emphasis in Counseling must hold a master’s degree in Counseling or related field (as determined by program emphasis), a minimum GPA of 3.30 on all graduate work, a recommended minimum overall GRE score (Verbal + Quantitative) of  800 and an Analytical Writing score of at least 3.0.  An applicant for the school counseling emphasis must pass the PRAXIS I with PPST scores of at least 169 in math, 170 in reading, and 172 in writing. 

A student accepted into the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs in Counseling or School Counseling must hold a master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited program in Counseling or meet CACREP curriculum requirements as part of the doctoral program of study.

Students admitted to a Counseling program must maintain continuous enrollment.  A student who is not enrolled or is inactive for one calendar year must be re-screened for readmission into the department prior to re-enrollment in the University (see the Readmission section under General Requirements for Admission in this publication). 

Provisional Admission for Counseling Programs—A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the appropriate department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status.  Such student must have as his or initial objective advancement to regular status.  A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses after admission to a degree program at Mississippi State University (transfer hours and unclassified graduate hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status.  If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student may be dismissed from graduate study.  While in provisional status, a student is not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship. 

Satisfactory Academic Performance—A student in one of the Counseling programs is required to earn a grade of B or better in each skills course before he or she is permitted to progress to the next course in the sequence.  These courses include:  COE 8023 Counseling Theory; COE 8013 Counseling Skills; COE 8053/8150 Practicum; and COE 8730/8740 Internship.  Unsatisfactory performance in graduate level course work is defined as a grade of U, D, or F in any course and/or more than two grades below a B after admission to the program.  Unsatisfactory performance also includes failing the master’s comprehensive examination twice, failing the written doctoral preliminary/comprehensive examination twice, failing the oral doctoral preliminary/comprehensive examination twice, or failing the doctoral dissertation defense twice.  Any of these or a combination of these failures will result in termination of the student’s graduate program in Counseling.

Program of Study/Completion Requirements—The M.S. degree program in school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or student affairs in higher education is a planned program consisting of 48 semester hours.  The M.S. degree program in community counseling or college counseling is a planned program consisting of 60 semester hours. 

The Ed.S. degree in Counseling is a planned program consisting of a minimum of 30 semester hours above the master’s degree under the direction of a major advisor and two committee members. 

Students accepted into the Ph.D. programs in Counseling must complete at least three academic years of study or a minimum of 98 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. 

Prerequisite and Core Courses—All Counseling students seeking the M.S. degree are required to complete successfully EPY 8263; COE 8013; COE 8023; COE 8203; COE 8043; COE 8053/8150; COE 8730/8740; and COE 8063 as a part of their degree programs.   Included in these requirements are a 100/600-clock hour practicum and a 600-clock hour internship.

Students in the M.S. community counseling emphasis must also successfully complete COE 6903; COE 8703; COE 8073; COE 8303; and COE 8633 with 18 hours of approved electives.  Students in the M.S. rehabilitation counseling emphasis must also successfully complete COE 8353; COE 8363; COE 8373; COE 8383, and nine hours of approved electives.  Students in the M.S. student affairs in higher education emphasis must also successfully complete COE 8523; COE 8533; COE 8543; COE 8553; HED 8113; and six hours of approved electives.  Students in the M.S. school counseling emphasis must also complete COE 6903; COE 8903; COE 8073; and six to nine semester hours of approved electives.  Students in the college counseling emphasis must also complete COE 8073; COE 8303; COE 8633; COE 8523; COE 8533; COE 8533; COE 8573; HED 8113 or CCL 5333; and six hours of approved electives. 

During the Ed.S. degree program, all Counseling students from a non-CACREP program will be required to complete all course work that is required by MSU’s CACREP master’s program in counseling.  These courses may be included in the student’s Ed.S. program of study.  Students from an academic discipline that was not counseling in nature may be required to complete the equivalent of a master’s degree as part of the Ed.S. program of study.  All Ed.S. students will successfully complete EPY 6214 Educational Psychology Statistics (or equivalent statistics course); COE 7000 Directed Individual Study or COE 8000 Thesis/Research, and other additional courses required by the program from the emphasis area.  For additional information about the Ed.S. degree with an emphasis in counseling, see the departmental handbook. 

All Counseling doctoral students are required to complete successfully COE 8063; EPY 8214; EPY 9213; EPY 9263; HED 8133; COE 9013; COE 9023; COE 9033; COE 9043; COE 9073; COE 9083; COE 9020 (research/dissertation); COE 9740 (300 clock hours), COE 9750 (600 clock hours); one of the following: EDF 9443; EDF 9453; or HI 8923; and 3-15 hours of approved electives.  Ph.D. students in Counseling must complete 20 hours of research/dissertation.  Ph.D. students in counseling may also complete 12-18 hours in a minor or focus area.  For additional information about the Ph.D. degrees in Counseling and in School Counseling, see the departmental handbook.

NOTE:  Some program requirements may change for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Doctoral Minor in Counseling—A doctoral minor in counseling will constitute a minimum of 12 hours of counseling course work.  A doctoral student will meet with the intended minor professor for an interview.  The minor professor will determine specific courses to be included in the minor program of study.  The minor will consist of course work in:

1.       Counseling theory,

2.       Cultural foundations in counseling,

3.       An environmental specialty course, and

4.       At least one other counseling course. 

Counselor Education Program Courses—Course prerequisites are noted in parentheses.

COE 6013     Facilitative Skills Development. 3 hours

COE 6023     Introduction to Counseling. 3 hours

COE 6050     Seminar for Guidance Counselors. 1-3 hours

COE 6303     Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired Persons. 3 hours

COE 6313     Resources for Visually Impaired Persons. 3 hours

COE 6323     Sensory Aid Technology. 3 hours

COE 6353     Assistive Technology in the Rehabilitation Process ( COE 6393,COE 8373 or permission of the instructor). 3 hours

COE 6363     Introduction to Sign Language. 3 hours

COE 6373     Vocational Assessment of Special Needs Persons (COE 8063 or equivalent) [Same as EDX 8653 and TKT 8653]. 3 hours

COE 6383     Work Samples in Vocational Assessment (COE 8083 or equivalent). 3 hours

COE 6513.    Paraprofessionals in Student Affairs (permission of instructor). 3 hours

COE 6713     Issues in Aging. 3 hours

COE 6743     Gender Issues in Counseling. 3 hours

COE 6903     Developmental Counseling and Mental Health. 3 hours

COE 6990     Special Topics in Counselor Education.  1-9 hours

COE 7000     Directed Individual Study. 1-6 hours

COE 8000     Research/Thesis. 6 hours

COE 8013     Counseling Skills Development (COE 8023). 3 hours

COE 8023     Counseling Theory. 3 hours

COE 8043     Group Techniques and Procedures(COE 8013, 8023). 3 hours

COE 8053     Practicum (COE 8013, 8023, and permission of department). 3 hours

COE 8063     Research Techniques for Counselors. 3 hours

COE 8073     Cultural Foundations in Counseling. 3 hours

COE 8083     Assessment Techniques for Counselors.  3 hours

COE 8093     Seminar in Counseling (COE 8023 or equivalent). 3 hours

COE 8150     Supervised Academic Year Field Experience I: Practicum. 1-9 hours

COE 8163     Spirituality in Counseling. 3 hours

COE 8173     Counseling Gifted Students. 3 hours

COE 8183     Utilizing Art and Art Therapy in Counseling. 3 hours

COE 8203     Placement and Career Development Counseling. 3 hours

COE 8293     Supervised Project (permission of  department). 3 hours

COE 8303     Family Counseling Theory (COE 8023). 3 hours

COE 8353     Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. 3 hours

COE 8363     Psychological Aspects of Disability. 3 hours

COE 8373     Medical Aspects of Disability. 3 hours

COE 8383     Job Placement in Rehabilitation. 3 hours

COE 8393     Advanced Practicum (COE 8053 and permission of department). 3 hours

COE 8413     Personal, Social, and Work Adjustment Counseling. 3 hours

COE 8523     Student Development Theory. 3 hours

COE 8533     Literature of Student Affairs. 3 hours

COE 8543     Legal Issues. 3 hours

COE 8553     Student Affairs in Higher Education. 3 hours

COE 8573     College Counseling Services. 3 hours

COE 8623     Advanced Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling. 3 hours

COE 8633     Psychosocial Rehabilitation. 3 hours

COE 8703     Community Counseling. 3 hours

COE 8730     Internship (COE 8053). 1-9 hours

COE 8740     Supervised Academic Year Field Experience II: Internship (permission of department). 1-9 hours

COE 8750     Internship (permission of department). 1-9 hours

COE 8763     Counseling the Sexually Abused Client (COE 8023). 3 hours

COE 8773     Counseling Chemically Dependent Clients. 3 hours

COE 8783     Counseling the Chemically Dependent Family (COE 8773). 3 hours

COE 8813     Counseling Elderly Clients. 3 hours

COE 8903     School Counseling Services. 3 hours

COE 8990     Special Topics in Counselor Education. 1-9 hours

COE 8913     Counseling Children. 3 hours

COE 9000     Research/Dissertation. 20 hours

COE 9013     Counseling Supervision (COE 8730 and COE 8013). 3 hours

COE 9023     Advanced Counseling Theory (COE 8023). 3 hours

COE 9033     Advanced Seminar (COE 8214, EPY 9213). 3 hours

COE 9043     Advanced Groupwork and Systems (COE 8013, 8023, 8043). 3 hours

COE 9053     Advanced Multicultural Counseling (COE 8013, 8023, 8043, 8053, 8063, 8073, 8703). 3 hours

COE 9083     Assessment Techniques in Counseling (EPY 8263, 8214). 3 hours

COE 9743     Advanced Doctoral Practicum (permission of department). 3 hours

COE 9750     Internship (permission of department). 1-9 hours

Higher Education:

HED 7000     Directed Individual Study. 1-6 hours

HED 8113     Administration of Student Personnel Services in Higher Education. 3 hours

HED 8123     University and Community College Governance. 3 hours

HED 8133     University and Community College Instruction. 3 hours

HED 8143     Seminar in University and Community College Education. 3 hours

HED 8153     University and Community College Curriculum Development. 3 hours

HED 8710     Practicum in University and Community College. 1-3 hours

HED 8720     Internship in University and Community College Education. 1-3 hours

HED 8990     Special Topics in Higher Education. 1-9 hours

Educational Psychology and School Psychology Programs

Faculty members:  Browning, Doggett, Elder, Henington, Johnson, Kane, D. Morse, L. Morse

The Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education offers graduate programs including a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Psychology with emphasis in either Educational Psychology or School Psychology.  An Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) is available with a major in Education with and a concentration in School Psychology.  At the master’s level, major areas of study are general educational psychology and psychometry (non-terminal).  Some teaching, research, and applied assistantships are available.

The following are admission criteria for either program (additional requirements may be required):

1.       An overall GPA on the bachelor’s degree of at least 2.75,

2.       Recent Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores,

3.       An interview is generally required.

Students admitted to an Educational or School Psychology program must maintain continuous enrollment.  A student who is not enrolled or is inactive for one calendar year must be re-screened for readmission into the department prior to re-enrollment in the University.

Provisional Admission—A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the appropriate department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status.  Such student must have as his or her initial objective advancement to regular status.  A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses after admission to a degree program at Mississippi State University (transfer hours and unclassified hours will not apply) ) in order to achieve regular status.  If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student may be dismissed from graduate study.  While in provisional status, a student is not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship.

Satisfactory Academic Performance—A student in one of the Educational or School Psychology programs is required to earn a grade of B or better in core courses before he or she is permitted to progress to the next course in the sequence.  Unsatisfactory performance in graduate level course work is defined as a grade of U, D, or F in any course and/or more than two grades below a B after admission to the program.  Unsatisfactory performance also includes failing the master’s comprehensive examination twice, failing the written preliminary/comprehensive examination twice, failing the oral doctoral preliminary/comprehensive examination twice, or failing the doctoral dissertation defense twice.  Any of these or combination of these failures will result in termination of the student’s graduate in Educational or School Psychology. 

Educational Psychology Programs—These programs are designed to prepare an individual for employment in research, teaching, and service settings.  The four-year doctoral program involves course work in psychological foundations, research, educational psychology, and, if the student chooses, a minor.  Within the educational psychology specialty, students can choose to specialize in either cognition, learning, instruction, or measurement, statistics, and testing.  Applications are reviewed continuously throughout the year.  For further information, write to Graduate Coordinator, Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education, P.O. Box 9727, Mississippi State University, MS  39762.

Program of Study/Completion Requirements for Educational Psychology—The M.S. degree program in educational psychology with an emphasis in general educational psychology is a planned program consisting of 41-53 semester hours.  All Educational Psychology M.S. students are required to complete successfully EPY 8263; EPY 8253 or equivalent; EPY 8293, EPY 8223; EPY 6214, EDF 8363, plus one course in the cognitive area, six hours of EPY electives, and 9-12 hours of related electives.

The Ph.D. degree program in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in general educational psychology requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree.  All Educational Psychology Ph.D. students are required to complete successfully EPY 8523, EPY 8533, EPY 6913, EDF 8353, EPY 8263, EPY 9723, EPY 9313, PSY 6343, EPY 8293, PSY 8613, EPY 8253, PSY 8223, EPY 8223, EPY 6214, EPY 8214, EPY 9213, EPY 8993, EDF 8363, EDF 8373, EPY 9263, EPY 8003, EPY 9020, six hours of PSY-related electives, three hours of EDS electives, nine hours in subspecialty electives, and 12-18 hours of minor area course work.  Participation in colloquia is also expected.

NOTE:  Some program requirements may change for the 2005-2006 academic year.

School Psychology Programs—The school psychology programs are based on a scientist-practitioner model with a behavioral focus.  In addition to training in assessment, training is provided in consultation, academic interventions, behavior assessment, system-wide and individualized positive behavior interventions and supports, applied behavior analysis, and single-case research methodology so students in the program can identify, prevent, and remedy students’ academic, behavioral, and psychosocial problems.  The deadline for applications to all programs (Ph.D. and Ed.S.) is February 1.  For further information, write to Graduate Coordinator, Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education, P.O. Box 9727, Mississippi State University, MS  39762.

Prerequisite Undergraduate Courses for School Psychology Programs—Students should have the following undergraduate courses before entering the Ed.S. or Ph.D. program in school psychology:

1.       Psychological Basis of Behavior (e.g., Introductory Psychology)

2.       Developmental Psychology (e.g., child development)

3.       Education, Learning, or Cognition (e.g., Theories of Learning).

A student who has not met these prerequisite course requirements may enroll in the program and take these undergraduate courses as he/she progresses through the degree program.  As students progress through the Ed.S. or Ph.D. program, they are required to complete the requirements for the M.S. degree in School Psychometry and obtain an AA license in School Psychometry from the Mississippi State Department of Education.

Program Requirements in School Psychology—The M.S. program in psychometry is a non-terminal degree designed to begin in the fall semester and complete in two years.  The M.S. in psychometry leads to AA licensure from the Mississippi State Department of Education.  This degree is currently a 53-hour program with a 300 hour practicum.  All students in this program must successfully complete the PRAXIS I examination en route to the degree and pass the master’s comprehensive examination.  Students in the M.S. program are expected to continue education at MSU in pursuit of either the Educational Specialist or doctoral degree.  All M.S. students are required to take the following courses:  EPY 6113, EPY 6214, EPY 8253, EPY 8263, EPY 8293, EPY 8493, EPY 8694, EPY 8703, EPY 8723, EPY 8763, EPY 8773, EPY 8933, EPY 9713, EDF 9443, PSY 6403 or equivalent, Special Education elective, and Counselor Education elective.

NOTE:  Some program requirements may change for the 2005-2006 academic year.

The Ed.S. program, a major in Education with a concentration in School Psychology, is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and requires an additional 31 hours beyond the M.S. degree in psychometry.  The Ed.S. leads to AAA licensure in School Psychology by the Mississippi State Department of Education and qualifies students to become Nationally Certified School Psychologists (which allows students to become certified as a school psychologist in most states).  The Ed.S. degree typically requires an additional academic year of formal course work beyond the M.S. in psychometry with an additional 300-hour practicum, and a 1500-hour internship completed in the schools during the fourth year.  Ed.S. students are required to complete and defend an approved supervised research project and pass the PRAXIS II examination in school psychology.  All Ed.S. students in School Psychology are required to take the following courses:  COE 8073, EPY 9794, EPY 9703, EPY 7000, EPY 8550 or EPY 98890, EPY 8780 (12 hours), and an advanced psychology or special education elective. 

NOTE:  Some program requirements may change for the 2005-2006 academic year.

The Ph.D. program in Educational Psychology with a concentration in School Psychology is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the American Psychological Association (APA).  Students accepted into the Ph.D. program in School Psychology should either hold a master’s degree in school psychology/psychometry or obtain AA certification in school psychometry within the first three years in the program.  For students entering the program with only an undergraduate degree, the Ph.D. program in school psychology is designed to be completed in five years.  A minimum of 120 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree is necessary to earn a doctorate from the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education.  Courses required for the doctoral degree in school psychology include:  EPY 6113, EPY 6214, EPY 8214, EPY 8253, EPY 8263, EPY 8293 or equivalent, EPY 8493, EPY 8993, EPY 8703, EPY 8723, EPY 8763, EPY 8773, EPY 8694, EPY 8794, EPY 8890, EPY 8933, EPY 9000 (20 hours), EPY 9213, EPY 9703, EPY 9713, EPY 9730 (18 credit hours), COE elective, COE 8073, EDF 8363 or equivalent, EDF 9373, EDF 9443, PSY 6403 or equivalent, PSY 8223, special education electives (six hours), advanced social psychology elective, and course work in a focus area (12 hours).  In addition to required course work, doctoral students are required to present a minimum of one refereed presentation at a regional or national conference and one submitted publication to a refereed journal, pass three comprehensive examinations:  focus area exam, written and oral examinations, and a dissertation defense.  Also, students are required to complete a 2000-hour internship (APA- accredited preferred).

NOTE:  Some program requirements may change for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Doctoral Minor in School Psychology—A doctoral minor in school psychology will constitute a minimum of 12 hours of course work in the field of school psychology.  The doctoral student will meet with the intended minor professor for an interview.  The minor professor will determine specific courses to be included in the minor program of study.  The minor will consist of course work in:

1.       Introduction to the field of school psychology,

2.       Behavior and personality assessment of children and youth,

3.       Typical and atypical development of children and youth, and

4.       School-based and psychological interventions for children and youth.

Students with a minor in school psychology will be required to pass a minor examination.  The school psychology faculty will determine the content of the written minor examination.  The minor examination is completed during a four-hour examination period.  A student who fails the minor examination cannot apply to take another examination until four months have elapsed from the date of the original examination.  Two failures of the minor examination will result in the student’s being dropped from further consideration as a student with a minor in school psychology.

School Psychology Program Courses and Other Requirements—Course prerequisites are noted in parentheses.

EPY 6113      Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions. 3 hours

EPY 6214      Educational and Psychological Statistics. 4 hours

EPY 8214      Advanced Educational and Psychological Statistics. 4 hours

EPY 8253      Child and Adolescent Development and Psychopathology. 3 hours

EPY 8263      Psychological Testing in Educational and Related Settings. 3 hours

EPY 8293      Cognitive Development (or equivalent). 3 hours

EPY 8493      Child Behavior and Personality Assessment. 3 hours

EPY 8550      Supervised Experience in School Psychology.  HOURS?

EPY 8694      Supervised Experience in School Psychology: Assessment. 4 hours

EPY 8703      School Psychology. 3 hours  

EPY 8723      Individual Assessment for Educational and Related Settings (EPY 6073, EDX 6223 and EPY 8263, or equivalent). 3 hours

EPY 8763      Advanced Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions (EPY 8703). 3 hours

EPY 8773      Assessment and Interventions for  Academic Skills Deficits. 3 hours

EPY 8780      Internship in School Psychology (Ed.S. level). 12 hours

EPY 8794      Supervised Experiences in School Psychology: Consultation. 4 hours

EPY 8890      Supervised Experiences in School Psychology (Clinic/Supervision). 1-6 hours

EPY 8933      Integrated Psycho-Educational Assessment (EPY 8723). 3 hours

EPY 8993      Special Topics in Educational Psychology. 3 hours 

EPY 9000      Research/Dissertation. 20 hours

EPY 9213      Advanced Analysis in Educational Research. 3 hours

EPY 9703      Contemporary, Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in School Psychology (permission of the instructor). 3 hours

EPY 9713      Advanced Psychological Consultation: Theory and Practice (permission of the instructor and EPY 8214 or equivalent). 3 hours

EPY 9730      Internship in School Psychology (Doctoral Level). 18 hours COE ----         Counseling elective

COE 8073     Cultural Foundations in Counseling. 3 hours

EDF 8363      Function and Methods of Research in Education. 3 hours

EDF 9373      Educational Research Design. 3 hours

EDF 9443      Single Subject Research Designs in Education. 3 hours

PSY 6403      Physiological Psychology (or other biology-based course). 3 hours

PSY 8223      Systems and Theories of Psychology. 3 hours

EDX ----          Special Education Elective A

EDX ----          Special Education Elective B

PSY ----          Advanced Social Psychology Elective Focus-Area Requirements: 12 hours

Educational Psychology Courses—Course prerequisites are noted in parentheses.

EPY 6033      Application of Learning Theories in Educational and Related Settings. 3 hours

EPY 6053      Psychology and Education of the Mentally Retarded. 3 hours

EPY 6073      Personality Adjustment in Educational and Related Settings. 3 hours

EPY 6113      Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions. 3 hours

EPY 6214      Educational and Psychological statistics. 4 hours

EPY 6313      Measurement and Evaluation. 4 hours

EPY 6990      Special Topics in Educational Psychology. 1-9 hours

EPY 7000      Directed Individual Study. 1-6  hours

EPY 8000      Research/Thesis. 6 hours

EPY 8214      Advanced Educational and Psychological Statistics (EPY 4214/6214 or equivalent). 4 hours

EPY 8223      Psychological Foundations of Education. 3 hours

EPY 8253      Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychology. 3 hours

EPY 8263      Psychological Testing in Educational and Related Settings. 3 hours

EPY 8293      Cognitive Development. 3 hours

EPY 8493      Personality Assessment in Educational and Related Settings (EPY 8263 and EPY 8723 or consent of the instructor). 3 hours

EPY 8523      Psychology of the Gifted. 3 hours

EPY 8533      Practicum in Teaching Educational Psychology (EPY 8243). 3 hours

EPY 8703      School Psychology. 3 hours

EPY 8723      Individual Assessment for Educational and Related Settings (EPY 6073 and EPY 8263 or equivalent). 3 hours

EPY 8763      Seminar in Psychological Interventions in Educational and related Settings (EPY 8703). 3 hours

EPY 8773      Assessment and Interventions for Academic Skills Deficits. 3 hours

EPY 8780      Internship in School Psychology (consent of instructor). 3-6 hours

EPY 8790      Supervised Experiences in School Psychology (consent of instructor). 3-6 hours

EPY 8933      Interpretation of Intelligence/Psychometric Instruments (EPY 8723). 3 hours

EPY 8990      Special Topics in Educational Psychology. 1-9 hours

EPY 9263      Applied Research Seminar (EPY 6214 , EDF 8363, and EDF 9373). 3 hours

EPY 9723      Seminar in Contemporary School Psychology (approval of instructor). 3 hours

EPY 9000      Research/Dissertation. 20 hours

EPY 9213      Advanced Analysis in Educational Research (EPY 4214/6214). 3 hours

EPY 9313      Educational Evaluation Methods (EPY 8214 and EDF 9373 or equivalent course work). 3 hours

EPY 9703      Contemporary, Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in School and Educational Psychology (permission of the instructor). 3 hours

EPY 9713      Advanced Psychological Consulting: Theory and Practice (permission of the instructor and EPY 8214 or equivalent). 3 hours

EPY 9730      Doctoral Internship in School Psychology (consent of instructor). 3-6 hours

Special Education Programs

Faculty Members: Arnault, Coffey, Devlin, Elrod, Mattox, Obringer.

Admission Criteria for Each Degree—

Graduate work in Special Education is offered at the master’s and educational specialist’s level.  A student applying for admission into either program should complete an admission packet and return it to the Office of Graduate Studies by the deadlines listed in this publication.  A complete packet consists of: an application to graduate school; documentation of obtaining or being able to obtain a Class A teaching certificate (exceptions include those seeking Special Education certification only or the Special Education non-certified Emotional/Behavioral Disorder option); official GRE scores (must have been taken within the past five years, with a recommended combined score of 1000 on verbal and quantitative); three letters of recommendation; statement of purpose (must include number of years teaching/work experience); and two writing samples. 

Provisional Admission—A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and appropriate program of study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking student with provisional status.  Such student must have as his or her initial objective advancement to regular status.  A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses after admission to a degree program at Mississippi State University (transfer hours and unclassified hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status.  If a 3.00 GPA is not attained, the provisional student may be dismissed from graduate study.  While in provisional status, the student is not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship. 

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Progress—Continuous enrollment in the University or in a specific graduate program is dependent upon a satisfactory evaluation of academic performance and progress toward the completion of a specified degree.  A student’s progress is considered satisfactory unless judged to be unsatisfactory by the department offering the program, and/or the Office of Graduate studies.

According to MSU policy, unsatisfactory performance is defined as the failure to maintain a B average in graduate courses attempted after admission to the program, a grade of U, D, or F in any course, more than two grades below a B, failure of the comprehensive/preliminary examination, an unsatisfactory evaluation of a thesis or dissertation, failure of the research defense, or any other failure of a required component of one’s program of study.  Any one of these, or any combination of these, may constitute the basis for the termination of a student’s graduate study in a degree program; individual programs have the right to establish their own criteria.  Such criteria may be higher but cannot be lower than these set by the graduate school.

Any student in the College of Education making more than two grades of C or lower in courses taken for graduate credit may be forced to withdraw from graduate school upon recommendation of the major professor, the departmental graduate coordinator, and the Dean of the College of Education.  [It is the major professor’s responsibility to insure that any student who has performed unsatisfactorily be recommended for termination from the degree program before the beginning of the subsequent semester.] The administrative authorities of the University will withhold the credits and readmission of any student who fails to pay all of his/her financial obligations to the University by the end of each semester and/or at the time of withdrawal.  The student’s records may be released when the indebtedness is paid in full. 

Graduate programs in special education are available for the master’s and educational specialist degrees.  The programs are specifically intended to prepare classroom and resource teachers for public schools and institutions for the disabled.  Clinic and practicum situations are an integral segment of the curriculum.

Graduate Courses—Course prerequisites are noted in parentheses.

EDX 6113      Diagnostic-Prescriptive Methods and Materials for Early Childhood Disabled. 3 hours

EDX 6123      Diagnostic-Prescriptive Methods and Materials for Elementary Age Disabled. 3 hours

EDX 6133      Diagnostic-Prescriptive Methods and Materials for Secondary Age Disabled [Same as TKT 6133 and COE 6133]. 3 hours

EDX 6353      Assistive Technology in Special Education. 3 hours

EDX 6503      Teaching the Severely and Profoundly Impaired Child. 3 hours

EDX 6603      Children and Youth with Physical Handicaps/Multiple Disabilities. 3 hours

EDX 6613      Teaching Children and Youth with Physical/Multiple Disabilities. 3 hours

EDX 6623      Curricular and Mobility Adaptations for Physical /Multiple Disabilities. 3 hours

EDX 6953      Introduction to Sign Language [same as COE 4353/6353]. 3 hours

EDX 6990      Special Topics in Special Education.  1-9 hours

EDX 7000      Directed Individual Study. 1-3 hours

EDX 8000      Research/Thesis. 6 hours

EDX 8103      Advanced Contingency Management. 3 hours

EDX 8123      Organization and Supervision of  Special Education. 3 hours

EDX 8133      Readings and Research in Exceptional Education. 3 hours

EDX 8143      Early Education for the Disabled. 3 hours

EDX 8153      Language Development- Assessment and Remediation. 3 hours

EDX 8163      Teaching Strategies for the Gifted. 3 hours

EDX 8173      Special Education in the Regular Classroom. 3 hours

EDX 8183      Seminar in Learning Disabilities (EDX 3203 or equivalent). 3 hours

EDX 8203      Practicum: Diagnosis of Special  Education Populations. 3 hours

EDX 8213      Practicum: Remediation of Special Education Populations. 3 hours

EDX 8223      Supervision: Diagnosis of the Educationally Disabled Practicum. 3 hours

EDX 8303      Seminar in Mental Retardation. 3 hours

EDX 8333      Placement Services and Techniques [same as COE 8923]. 3 hours

EDX 8393      Seminar in Education for the Emotionally Disabled (EDX8403). 3 hours

EDX 8403      Teaching the Emotionally Disabled. 3 hours

EDX 8413      Personal, Social and Work Adjustment Counseling [same as COE 8413 and TKT 8413]. 3 hours

EDX 8653      Vocational Assessment of Special Needs Persons (COE 8063 or Equivalent [same as TKT 8653 and COE 6373]. 3 hours

EDX 6113      Diagnostic-Prescriptive Methods and Materials for Early Childhood Disabled. 3 hours

EDX 8663      Work Samples in Vocational Assessment (COE 8093 or equivalent and COE 6373 or COE 8033 or consent of instructor)

                       3 hours

  EDX 8780      Internship in Special Education. 3-6 hours

EDX 8990      Special Topics in Special Education. 1-9 hours