Program Overview
Choose Excellence with an MA/CAGS in School Psychology
With a graduate degree in school psychology, you will have the education and experience you need to meet the needs of children and adolescents where they are: in schools. The MA/CAGS in School Psychology at William James College is an on-campus, three-year program, accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), that combines competency-based curriculum with closely supervised field training beginning in your first semester. Upon completion of the 66-credit program, you will be eligible to become a licensed school psychologist in Massachusetts and many other states.
During your time as a school psychology student at William James, you will have opportunities to work in K-12 schools in Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. You will gain practical, hands-on experience supporting students, teachers, and families to enhance your classroom learning and prepare you for your professional career after graduation.
What is School Psychology?
School psychologists are often the first to recognize and treat mental health issues and may offer the only mental health support students receive. As a school psychologist, you will not only provide direct services to students in public or private school settings, but also work with educators, administrators, and caregivers to support students in all aspects of their lives. Your work will be diverse and include prevention, intervention, and assessment.
Want to learn more? Request info here.
Clicking the "Submit" button constitutes your express written consent to be called and/or texted by William James College at the number(s) you provided, regarding furthering your education. You understand that these calls may be generated using an automated technology. View our Privacy Policy here.
Ready to Apply?
Start Here
Choose Real-World Learning with Experiential Education
Field placement is a transformational aspect of our educational model and William James College has one of the only school psychology programs where you will be in the field starting in your first semester. You will work with our Field Education Office to find placement opportunities throughout the program to give you a wide range of training and skills.
In your first year, you will be placed in an elementary school, and in your second year, you will train in a middle or high school. In your third and final year in the program, you will work five days a week in an internship setting that best meets your career goals and interests. We have partnerships with many school districts in public, private, urban, and suburban settings.
In addition to this supervised field experience, our first-year school psychology students participate in the Primary Project program. William James is the only college in Massachusetts offering this unique experience to our students. Primary Project is an evidence-based program where you will work with elementary students who are at risk for social-emotional difficulty. This experience will allow you to gain greater insight into early child development and additional hands-on training.
Choose Impact with a Commitment to Social Responsibility
Our School Psychology MA/CAGS program is rooted in social justice, respect for diversity, and a multicultural perspective. We recruit, train, mentor, and prepare professionals who are committed to delivering culturally responsive care to meet the growing needs of an increasingly diverse society.
You will also have the option to participate in a co-curricular, college-wide concentration to enhance your studies and expand your learning. Our concentrations give you the opportunity to focus a part of your education on working with and supporting a particular population while connecting with students across the College who share similar academic interests. Available concentrations include African and Caribbean Mental Health, Asian Mental Health, Latino Mental Health, Global Mental Health, LGBTQIA+ Studies, and Military and Veterans Psychology.
Program-Specific Concentrations
Applied Behavior Analysis
Children and Families of Adversity and Resilience
Transformative School Leadership
Cross-Departmental Concentrations
African and Caribbean Mental Health
Asian Mental Health
Global Mental Health
Latino Mental Health
Military and Veterans Psychology
Choose Community Connectivity, Support and Student Life
The William James College community is supportive and connected. Our Dean of Students Office offers regular programming, in person and online, for all students, and oversees our Academic Resource Center. Student leadership and student groups create more opportunities for engagement, and we are proud to be home to the William James College Black Mental Health Graduate Academy, a community for Black students enrolled in our doctoral and master’s degree programs, that provides mentorship and networking opportunities.
Choose Mentorship and Personal Growth
Mentorship and personal growth are core values of a William James College education. As a student, you will enjoy direct engagement with faculty through education, research, mentorship, and training. All students work closely with an advisor on course planning, personal and professional development, and career goals. Each year, student progress toward program completion is reviewed periodically with your advisor and at an annual Assessment and Planning Conference.
Our school psychology faculty members represent expertise across many domains of psychology including social emotional learning, bullying, substance use, learning disabilities, diversity, equity, and inclusion, crisis intervention, and assessment.
Across the College, our faculty are practicing professionals who bring their clinical expertise and real-world examples into the classroom. They pair this experience with empirically based research to teach you nuances, protocols, and interventions that prepare you for your fieldwork in the program and your future career.
NASP Accreditation
Our MA/CAGS in School Psychology program has full accreditation from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). We received the maximum length offered by NASP (February 1, 2021-February 1, 2028).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the School Psychology MA/CAGS program at William James College, and who is it designed for?
The School Psychology MA/CAGS at William James College is a three‑year, NASP‑approved, on‑campus graduate program in Newton, Massachusetts. You are prepared to work as a licensed school psychologist through coursework and supervised field experiences focused on assessment, intervention, consultation, and systems‑level practice in diverse school communities.
2. What can you do with a degree in School Psychology from William James College?
With a degree from the School Psychology MA/CAGS program at William James College, you typically work as a school psychologist in K–12 educational settings. You may support students through assessment, behavioral and mental health services, consultation, and collaboration with educators and families. 97% percent of graduates are employed in schools within one year of graduation.
3. Where is the School Psychology MA/CAGS program offered, and is it online or on campus?
The School Psychology MA/CAGS program is offered on campus in Newton, Massachusetts, within the Greater Boston area. You complete all coursework in person and begin school‑based practicum and internship placements in your first semester, which require regular daytime availability. The program is not offered fully online.
4. What are the admission requirements for the School Psychology MA/CAGS at William James College?
To apply to the School Psychology MA/CAGS program at William James College, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. While no specific major is required, you are encouraged to have coursework or experience in psychology or education. Competitive applicants typically have a GPA of approximately 3.0 or higher and complete a faculty interview.
5. Does the School Psychology MA/CAGS meet licensure requirements in Massachusetts?
Yes. The School Psychology MA/CAGS program at William James College meets the academic and supervised fieldwork requirements for school psychologist licensure in Massachusetts through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. You complete a NASP‑approved curriculum that also supports licensure eligibility in many other states.