School of Education | Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA LMU.edu
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School of Education | Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA LMU.edu
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Admission Requirements

Ready to take the next step in your career? Here's what you need to know and do to apply to our program.

Understand the Academic Prerequisites

  • Successful candidates for admission have majored or minored in psychology, child development, education, or a closely related field as undergraduates, and/or have pursued one of these areas in a previous master’s degree.
  • Candidates who don’t hold the degree(s) above are eligible with the completion of 18 semester units of prerequisite coursework prior to enrollment.
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
  • Candidates who do not meet the minimum GPA of 3.0 will be contacted by the Admissions office to complete the “Request for Exception to the GPA Requirement Form" once they have applied. 

Attend a Virtual Open House Session

  • We encourage you to join our faculty for a Graduate Open House, available in Fall or Spring semesters.

Complete Your Application

  • Applications are completed electronically. Detailed instructions are available in the program information packet which you receive by request.
  • The application requires one set of official transcripts of previous degree work; a resume; three letters of recommendation; and a personal statement of intent. These are described in detail in the information packet.
  • The priority application deadline is the first Friday of February. Initial interviews occur early in March and acceptance letters are sent out before the end of March. Accepted applicants are asked to submit their deposits by the priority deadline of April 15th to guarantee a space in the incoming cohort.
  • If space is available for the incoming cohort, applications submitted before March 31st will be considered for a second round of interviews occurring early in April.
  • We admit one cohort of students for the online program and one cohort of student for the on-campus program each year  All candidates enroll in their first course in Summer Session II. 

Online or On-Campus?

LMU’s School Psychology program is fully accredited/approved by NASP to offer an online cohort of the program, in addition to our in-person on-campus cohort.  All candidates, online and on-campus, are required to reside in California throughout the program.  In addition to our in-person cohort, an online cohort is offered for incoming candidates each year if there is enough interest in that modality.  To assist in our planning, we ask each applicant apply for the program modality that is their first choice (online or on-campus) during the application process.

Participate in a Group Interview

  • Applicants that meet admission requirements in an initial screening will be invited to participate in group interview(s), a critical component of the admission process. 
  • Group interviews are typically scheduled during in late February/early March.
  • Upon receiving an invitation for an interview, applicants are also prompted to apply for the School Psychology Program scholarship. Scholarship awards will be made around the same time as applicants are notified of their admission status. 

Admission Decisions

  • Applicants who are admitted or waitlisted will be notified via the online application portal beginning in late March and continuing throughout April.
  • The deadline for accepting an offer of admission and submitting a commitment deposit is April 15 and instructions will be noted in the acceptance letter. 

Explore Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

  • In addition to applying for a School Psychology scholarship, the School of Education lists many scholarship and grant opportunities to assist you.
  • LMU's financial aid website also lists key resources and instructions. 
  • Please complete a FAFSA early to expedite your process.
  • We encourage you to explore these opportunities at your earliest convenience.

Enroll and Complete Post-Admission Requirements

  • Your acceptance letter, which is available in the application portal, will detail key steps to complete for enrollment, as well as the contact information for your academic advisor.
  • Admitted candidates then complete post-admission requirements prior to enrollment in their first class.

Candidates who successfully complete the program earn an M.A. in Educational Psychology, an Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) in School Psychology, and a State of California Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology.  Candidates are additionally eligible as Nationally Certified School Psychology (NCSP) upon passage of the Praxis II exam and a Licensed Educational Psychology upon completing board requirements. 

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Per Federal Regulation 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v), all LMU School of Education credential/licensure programs meet the California state requirements as specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and for the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences as appropriate. The institution has not made a determination as to whether these credential, licensure, and professional preparation programs meet the requirements of states outside of California. If you are interested in practicing in a state other than California, it is recommended that you contact the respective licensing entity of that state to seek information or guidance regarding their requirements in advance to allow for appropriate planning.