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School Psychology

Master's
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Application Requirements
Tuition & Fees
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Application Deadlines
Fall: January 15 (priority), April 15 (regular)

Spring: n/a
Summer: n/a
School/Department
Education
Program Director
Hong Ly and Meredith Edelstein
Contact
gradadmissions@tufts.edu
Location
Medford/Somerville
Format
On-campus
Commitment Options
Full-time
Average Duration
3 years
Credits
67
Tuition per Credit
$1299
Eligible for Aid/Scholarship
Yes

Overview

The MA/EdS in School Psychology is offered by the Department of Education to prospective school psychologists. School Psychologists have a vital responsibility in the nation's schools to promote equitable educational and mental health services for all children with special attention to the systems and structure that harm, marginalize, and disenfranchise students, families, and educators in schools.

This program typically takes three years to complete with students completing 23 courses and field work.

This program is geared toward school-based practice. It is fully approved by the National Association of School Psychologists and the Massachusetts department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Program Outcomes

A hallmark of the Tufts School Psychology program is the emphasis on the application of classroom-based knowledge. Students participate in field experiences during all three years of the program and apply knowledge and skills from the classroom to field-based experiences. You'll receive support and guidance in your field placements from supervisors at your field sites as well as program faculty.

Graduates of the program are immediately eligible for both a state and national license as a School Psychologist. On average, 100% of our graduates are employed as school psychologists within three months of graduating from the program. In any given year, 75% are typically employed at schools in Massachusetts across the preK-12 age range.

Application Requirements

  • Application fee
  • Resume/CV
  • Personal statement
  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test, if applicable
  • Transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Shadowing: School Psychology candidates must interview or shadow a school psychologist to become informed about the roles and responsibilities in the field. Candidates must also submit a supplemental essay of 500 words or less describing what they've learned from the experience of shadowing a school psychologist.
  • Select candidates will be invited to a School Psychology Program Interview Day in February. There will be an option of in-person or virtual interviews.

Prerequisites

We value the diverse academic backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that students bring to the field of school psychology. To support this diversity, our prerequisite requirements emphasize foundational knowledge across three areas rather than specific course titles.

Applicants must have completed at least one course in each of the following areas:

  1. Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being: Coursework that explores mental health, psychological functioning, mental health conditions, or approaches to understanding and supporting psychological well-being.
  2. Psychology, Child Development, and Education: Coursework that examines human development, learning, behavior, or psychological processes, particularly as they relate to children, adolescents, or educational settings.
  3. Identity, Equity, and Social Justice: Coursework that critically examines diverse identities and lived experiences, systems of power and oppression, racism, inequity, or social justice.
  4. Statistics and Research Methods: Coursework that introduces research design, data collection, statistical analysis, or approaches to interpreting and evaluating research findings.

Courses may have different titles or disciplinary perspectives, provided they address the foundational content described above.

Tuition & Fees

GSAS bills tuition using a per-credit billing model, meaning you are billed for the number of credits you take each semester. This billing model is used to provide students better flexibility so they may "pay-as-they-go".

Tuition*$1,299 per credit
Total Credits Required67
Enrollment StatusPart-Time: 3-6 credits (typically 1-2 courses)
Full-Time: 9+ credits (typically 3 or more courses) or qualifying enrollment criteria (assistantships, internships, or continuation courses, etc.)

Estimating Tuition Costs for this Program

This example pathway outlines estimated tuition costs per semester using a typical full-time course load. This is one possible pathway to completion; actual credits, costs, enrollment status, and degree completion time may vary based on a student’s course load.

Full-Time PathwaySummerFallSpringTotal
Year 1n/a14 credits14 credits28 credits
n/a$18,186$18,186$36,372
Year 212 credits12 credits9 credits33 credits
$15,588$15,588$11,691$42,867
Year 3n/a3 credits3 credits6 credits
n/a$3,897$3,897$7,794
Estimated Total Tuition Before Aid*$87,033*

Note: this example does not account for any scholarships that may be awarded at the time of admission. GSAS offers generous merit- and need-based tuition scholarships for qualified applicants. A list of funding opportunities is provided below. 

*Estimated based on 2026-2027 tuition rates. Rates are subject to change each academic year. For further information about the full cost of attendance, including health insurance, fees, and estimated indirect costs (housing, transportation, etc.), visit Student Financial Services.

Financial Aid & Funding Opportunities

At Tufts University, we believe that every qualified applicant should have the opportunity to pursue graduate study, regardless of financial circumstances. We are committed to helping you navigate the financial aspects of your education and strive to make graduate school accessible through a variety of support options.

Scholarships and Awards Available for this Program

  • Merit- and need-based tuition scholarships for master’s programs: To be considered, be sure to indicate your interest within the Financial Aid section of your application.
  • The Future Leaders Fellowship is a full-tuition scholarship for outstanding full-time master’s students and entry-level OTD students. Future Leaders Fellows are selected by the GSAS Dean following their admittance to Tufts.
  • City Year Corps members, alumni, and staff are eligible to receive a minimum scholarship award of 25% off tuition.

Work Opportunities and Awards

Visit our Graduate Financial Aid page for information on loans and financing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Becoming a school psychologist typically requires completion of a specialist-level graduate program, supervised field experiences, and state licensure requirements. The MA/EdS prepares graduates for both Massachusetts licensure and NCSP eligibility.
     

  • Yes. The program is designed to meet Massachusetts licensure requirements and National Association of School Psychologists standards. 
     

  • The MA/EdS in School Psychology typically takes three years to complete, including coursework and field experiences. 
     

  • School psychologists support students' academic achievement, emotional well-being, behavioral development, mental health, and access to educational opportunities. They work with students, families, teachers, and school systems. 
     

  • Yes. Students participate in field experiences throughout all three years of training and receive ongoing supervision and support. 
     

  • School psychologists typically receive extensive training in psychological assessment, consultation, intervention design, and systems-level problem solving, while school counselors often focus more heavily on counseling, academic planning, and student guidance.
     

Faculty

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Meredith Edelstein

Assistant Teaching Professor
Education
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Hong Ly

Assistant Teaching Professor
Education
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Anna Banerjea

Lecturer
Education
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Denise Carver

Lecturer
Education
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Victoria Downes

Lecturer
Education
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Nicole Faraci

Assistant Teaching Professor
Education
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Emily Gatchell

Lecturer
Education
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Scott Greenspan

Assistant Teaching Professor
Education
Scott's research focuses on school-based mental health services and multi-tiered systems of support, physical activity promotion, and affirming psychosocial supports for LGBTQIA+ youth. He publishes his work in peer-reviewed journals and presents at national conferences.
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Craig Harris

Lecturer
Education
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Lori King

Lecturer
Education
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Cathryn Magielnicki

Lecturer
Education
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Noelle Roop

Associate Teaching Professor
Education
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Erin Seaton

Teaching Professor
Education
Climate change and schooling, school-based mental health, human development, teaching and learning, adolescence, gender, equity in education, special education, qualitative research methods, child and adolescent literature and literacy, writing
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Robert Trant

Lecturer
Education
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Michele Welch

Lecturer
Education

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