School Psychology Rural Hybrid EdS Program

Academic Programs

Our School Psychology Rural Hybrid Ed.S. program allows students to take part in the practical experiences, research opportunities, and coursework you'll need to work with children of all developmental abilities and their families as a school psychologist within rural Colorado communities. This program is designed for people living in rural Colorado communities who want to pursue a graduate degree in school psychology without relocating to a university campus. The program’s hybrid modality enables students to engage in virtual coursework during the school year and attend class on campus in the summers before and after the first year of the program. Practical experience and rigorous coursework will help prepare graduates to solve problems and make decisions to support diverse students, families, and schools within their community. 

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Student Interest Form

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Application Requirements

Applicants should identify with a rural Colorado community and plan to work as a school psychologist within this community throughout training and post-graduation. We encourage a diverse range of applicants from different lived experiences to apply.  

Additionally, this program requires applicants to receive a sponsorship letter from a Colorado BOCES.

Scholarship

The Rural Hybrid School Psychology program offers tuition support for students admitted to the program and who meet the program qualifications.  Additionally, qualifying students' travel, accommodation, and food costs will be provided for in-person summer courses.    

Program Qualifications for Scholarship   

  • Admittance to the degree program   
  • Rural Colorado BOCES/district sponsorship  
  • Commitment to serve a rural Colorado community for three years post-graduation.

Program Requirements

This program awards an Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.) which consists of 90 credits over three years with the majority of the coursework taken within the first two years of the program. The program begins in the summer with in-person learning for three weeks to deliver content and build connections with other graduate students. All courses held over the fall, winter, and spring quarters (between the months of September – June) will be virtual.  See coursework plan for detailed classes and credit breakdown.   

  • Summer Schedule
    • 1st Year – three weeks in-person learning   
    • 2nd year – two weeks in-person learning   
    • 3rd Year – all virtual courses, no in-person learning   

    All students will engage in field placement throughout their training during their first year with a shadowing experience with a school psychologist in your BOCES/district. All practicum and internship placements will be held within your sponsoring BOCES/district.  Students will also have the opportunity during the second summer to engage with the University of Denver Educational Services Clinic during their in-person summer learning.   

  • Field Experiences
    • 1st Year – Practicum I within their Sponsoring BOCES/district (1 day/week)   
    • Summer before 2nd Year – University of Denver Educational Clinic (two weeks)   
    • 2nd Year – Practicum II within their Sponsoring BOCES/district (2 days/week)      
    • 3rd Year – Ed.S. Internship within their Sponsoring BOCES/district (full-time paid)   

Licensure & Certification

After students complete the Ed.S. program and pass the Praxis II and National Association of School Psychologists licensing exams, they may be eligible for a Colorado Department of Education school psychologist license as well as the National Association of School Psychologists' national certification. Upon completion, graduates will have the knowledge and skills necessary to help students of all backgrounds and developmental abilities grow and thrive. 

For Additional Information, Please Contact:

RuralSP@du.edu  

Dr. Amy K. McDiarmid, Program Director  amy.mcdiarmid@du.edu  

Dr. Elaine Belansky, Director of Community Engagement elaine.belansky@du.edu  

MCE Admissions mce.admissions@du.edu