Our School Psychology master’s program (Specialist in School Psychology, M.A. SSP) uses the scientist-practitioner model to prepare students in understanding and enhancing the development of children and adolescents in context.
Education and training include strong preparation in the academic foundations of psychology. Students also prepare in the research skills essential to the contribution of new knowledge, and in the competent and ethical professional practice of assessment, intervention, and consultation.
Training in Comprehensive, Culturally Affirming Services (TRACCS)
Students earning their School Psychology masters are eligible to apply to an experiential-based training program in partnership with Del Valle Independent School District. Participating students will work directly with high-need schools to develop their ability to provide evidence-based and culturally affirming mental health services. Additional financial support is available for TRACCS trainees.
School Psychology Faculty
 Kizzy AlbrittonAssociate ProfessorExamines ways that school psychologists can improve the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral outcomes for young children (i.e., preschool) from minoritized and marginalized backgrounds in early childhood settings. |
 Sarah Kate BearmanAssociate ProfessorResearch focuses on the dissemination and implementation of empirically supported practices (ESPs) for children with disruptive behavior, trauma, anxiety and depression in community settings. |
 Cindy CarlsonProfessorActive in current healthcare reform endeavors, studies integrated behavioral health, attachment theory, and consultation theories and processes such as home-school partnership and family-centered treatment. |
 J. Mark EddyProfessorDevelops and rigorously tests prevention and intervention programs intended to benefit children and families, and particularly those who are living in stressful circumstances. |
 Jane GrayAssistant Professor of PracticeDirector of Clinical Training Supports the clinical training of doctoral students, teaches clinically-focused courses and prepares students for psychology internship training. |
 Jessica O'BlenessAssistant Professor of PracticeDirector of Clinical Training, School Psychology Masters Program Supports the clinical training of MA/SSP students, teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses related to clinical training and psychology, and prepares students for MA/SSP internship training. |
 Erin RodriguezAssociate ProfessorStudies family, linguistic, and sociocultural influences on children’s adaptation to stress, to better understand how family coping, language and communication, and sociocultural context impact children’s mental and physical health outcomes. |
Affiliated Centers
Laboratory for Leveraging Evidence and Advancing Practice for Youth Mental Health Services (LEAP Lab)Examines factors that promote and support effective use of empirically supported mental health interventions for youth, evaluates the effectiveness and acceptability of interventions in low-resource settings, and emphasizes research-practice partnerships. |
Pediatric Coping and Language LabStudies family, linguistic, and sociocultural influences on children’s adaptation to stress and their mental and physical health outcomes. |
Psychological and Educational Assessment CenterServes as a training center for the graduate programs in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology and a resource for people who are seeking assessment for possible learning difficulties or conditions that may affect learning. |
© 2023 College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin