Bilingual Specialization in School PsychologyCandidates with bilingual proficiency may wish to complete a Specialization in Bilingual School Psychology, leading to a certificate with a bilingual extension. The Bilingual Extension is granted by the New York State Education Department to bilingual graduates who take courses focusing on bilingual and multicultural issues and who complete a bilingual internship experience. The Specialization in Bilingual School Psychology requires 66 credits, the 60-credit school psychology sequence and two additional courses (3 credits each) emphasizing bilingual and multicultural issues. Students are placed in bilingual internship sites with bilingual supervisors (internship experience is 3 credits a semester for a total of 6 credits). Candidates in the Bilingual Specialization are required to demonstrate proficiency in a second language by taking the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) exam, a content and language proficiency exam, administered by the New York State Education Department. Candidates are required to take and pass the BEA exam in English and in their second language prior to entering the internship experience.
The School Psychology Program offers a sequence of courses for practicing school psychologists who already hold certification and are seeking a bilingual extension. For additional information, please refer to this Bulletin under Bilingual Extension for Pupil Personnel.
Multicultural Specialization in School PsychologyCandidates who are not bilingual and who have an interest in acquiring additional knowledge and skills in working with culturally and linguistically diverse students will complete the Specialization in Multicultural School Psychology. The Specialization in Multicultural School Psychology requires 66 credits, the 60-credit school psychology sequence and two additional courses (3 credits each) emphasizing multicultural issues. Candidates are placed in multicultural internship sites with supervisors who have expertise with culturally and linguistically diverse populations (internship experience is 3 credits a semester for a total of 6 credits).
