Master of Science in School Psychology Admission & Application Requirements

Specialist in School Psychology Admission & Application for Spring 2025

Apply and complete your graduate application in October for Spring 2025 enrollment and have your $35 application fee reimbursed!

Deadlines

  • Summer: February 1
  • Fall: 
  • Spring: 

We are currently transitioning to a new application system. A link for the next cycle will be available by the end of July. For any questions, please contact Graduate Studies.

Part 1: Graduate Studies Application

Admission Requirement
Instructions
  1. Online graduate application

Submit the Graduate Online Application - This is only the first step in the application process.

  1. $35 Non-Refundable application fee for all graduate applications

After you complete the Graduate Online Application:

  • Log in to eServices with your StarID.
  • Click on Bills and Payment, and you will be able to pay the application fee using a credit or debit card.

Note: Upon completion of the application form in step one, you will receive an email in 1-2 business days giving instructions for the remaining steps and completing the program application in Part 2. Please note that the steps below cannot be completed until you receive that email. If you do not receive the email with Self Service Center instructions, please contact the Graduate Studies Office.

  1. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
    PLEASE NOTE: If you are taking classes currently this fall semester, please wait to order transcripts until those grades are posted.

Contact ALL the colleges and universities you have attended and have your transcripts sent to:

Graduate Studies Office, MSU Moorhead
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563

You do not need to order transcripts from MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions. See Transcript Policy for more details.

Part 2: Graduate Program Application

  1. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. No specific undergraduate major required. Preparation must include a minimum of 12 semester credits in Psychology, including one Developmental Psychology course and one Statistics course (statistics course may be from a department other than psychology).

This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.

  1. Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits of graded course work.

This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.

  1. Current resume

Prepare a resume that includes education, work experience, volunteer activities, etc. Put your name on all pages.

  • Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
  • Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
  • Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
  • Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.
  1. Letter of intent

Prepare a letter approximately 1-2 double spaced pages with the following topics: a) Tell us about your experience with children families, or people with disabilities, b) What characteristics do you have that would make you a good school psychologies? Put your name on all pages.

  • Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
  • Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
  • Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
  • Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.
  1. Three letters of recommendation

At least one recommendation should be from someone who can speak to the candidate's academic skills. For recent college graduates, a minimum of two recommendations from academic sources, one from the candidate's major is highly encouraged. Non-academic recommendations should be from people who have worked with the candidate in a professional capacity, such as supervisors.

  • Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
  • Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
  • If you have not submitted contact information yet, select “Continue” to go into your application and complete program app and recommender information.
  • After clicking “Submit Application” you will need to contact the Graduate Studies Office for any recommender information changes.
  • Your recommenders will receive an e-mail from the Graduate Studies Office asking them to fill out the recommendation form.
  • To check the status of your recommendations later, select “Summary” in the Applications tab.
  1. Learning format choice

Students will be asked to identify if they are applying for the In Person option, the Remote option, or an Either Format option where they would prefer Remote but would be willing to consider In Person. We have more slots for In Person than Remote students, so if you prefer remote but would be willing to be considered for an In Person slot if that is all that is available, choose that option.

Candidates in the Remote and Either Format options will need to provide evidence of the ability to complete the required field experiences in appropriate school settings as part of their application.

  1. Attend an online School Psychology Open Forum not required, but recommended.

Attend an online School Psychology Open Forum or schedule a one-on-one conversation with an MSUM School Psychology faculty member. This is not required as part of the application and admission process, but encouraged to ensure a timely and accurate application process. In the open form we will discuss the School Psychology program structure, format and give you a chance to ask questions.

  1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required, but may be submitted as additional information. If submitted, they will be considered.

Schedule your test early. Allow 4 weeks for MSUM to receive your scores. When prompted at the test site, enter MSUM as a receiving school, code 6678.

  1. Background checks

Background checks will be required of all students during their first semester. This is not required as part of the application.

*International students please see additional admission requirements.

Master of Science in School Psychology Admission & Application Summer 2025

Master of Science in School Psychology Application Deadlines

  • Summer: February 1

Steps to Apply

You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.

  1. Create your account in GradCAS
  2. Select your program from the list and click “+” to add to your cart.
  3. Complete the three general application sections.
  4. Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
  5. Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
  6. Pay the $50 application fee.

The Admission and Graduate Studies Offices will verify your documents and requirements.

Master of Science in School Psychology Admission Requirements

  • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Preparation must include at least 12 semester credits in Psychology, including one Developmental Psychology course and one Statistics course (Statistics course may be from a department other than Psychology).
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits.
  • Optional-Attend an online School Psychology Open Forum or schedule a one-on-one conversation with MSUM School Psychology faculty to discuss the program structure. We encourage participation to ensure timely and accurate admissions.
  • Students must complete a background check during the first semester.

Master of Science in School Psychology Application Requirements

  • GradCAS application
  • A current resume.
  • Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application.
  • Learning format selection.
  • Three letters of recommendation-At least one evaluator should be someone who can speak to the candidate's academic skills. For recent college graduates, a minimum of two recommendations from academic sources with one from the candidate's major. Non-academic recommendations should be from people who have collaborated with the candidate in a professional capacity, such as supervisors.
  • Letter of Intent-1 to 2 double spaced pages including the following topics:
    1. Tell us about your experience with children, families, or people with disabilities.
    2. What characteristics do you have that would make you a good school psychologist?
  • GRE scores are optional.

International Student Requirements

  • An official comprehensive course-by-course transcript evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluator (ECE), World Education Services (WES) or any other NACES accredited evaluation firm, from post-secondary institutions outside the U.S.
  • The ECE, WES, or NACES evaluation must certify your international degree is equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
  • For students whose native language is not English, or who were not taught in English, an official score from either TOEFL (6678 MSUM code) or IELTS (Minnesota State University Moorhead) is required.
    • TOEFL scores-550 (paper-based) or 78-80 (online)
    • IELTS score of 6.5

On Campus International Students-Visa Sponsorship Requirements

Upload the following documents under the Optional Documents section.

For questions about the program or the application process please call Graduate Studies 218.477.2134 or email graduate@mnstate.edu.

Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for detailed application instructions.

Questions about completing the application:
Call | GradCAS Customer Service at 857.304.2086
Email | support@gradcas.myliaison.com
Chat help for applicants is available.
(Google Chrome and Firefox are the preferred browsers)

Specialist in School Psychology Admission & Application Summer 2025 & beyond

Specialist in School Psychology Application Deadlines

  • Summer: February 1

Steps to Apply

You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.

  1. Create your account in GradCAS
  2. Select your program from the list and click “+” to add to your cart.
  3. Complete the three general application sections.
  4. Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
  5. Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
  6. Pay the $50 application fee.

The Admission and Graduate Studies Offices will verify your documents and requirements.

Specialist in School Psychology Admission Requirements

The application for the School Psychology Specialist program is only available to current Minnesota State University Moorhead students who have completed or are in the process of completing the Master's in School Psychology.

Two-degree Program: It is expected that students will complete both the Master's and Specialist degree in School Psychology at MSUM. Both degrees are required for overall program completion.

Specialist in School Psychology Application Requirements

  • GradCAS application
  • Prepare a letter of intent specifying why you are interested in school psychology and your relevant background and experiences.
  • In the Academic History section of the application, list only MSUM and upload your unofficial MSUM transcript. You can retrieve your unofficial transcripts from eServices.

For questions about the program or the application process please call Graduate Studies 218.477.2134 or email graduate@mnstate.edu.

Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for detailed application instructions.

Questions about completing the application:
Call | GradCAS Customer Service at 857.304.2086
Email | support@gradcas.myliaison.com
Chat help for applicants is available.
(Google Chrome and Firefox are the preferred browsers)