Best School Psychology Programs in Pennsylvania Rankings for 2026
NASP-approved EdS and specialist programs in Pennsylvania, with the PDE Educational Specialist certificate pathway, the private-practice Licensed Psychologist route, internship requirements, and school psychologist salary data for 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania school psychologists earn a median of $82,190, about 14% below the $95,990 national median (BLS, May 2025). The state employs roughly 2,600 of them, the bottom 10% earn about $62,550, and the top 10% clear $118,440. The pay is real but honestly below the national line, so location and district contract matter a lot here.
- You work in Pennsylvania public schools with an Educational Specialist certificate as a Certified School Psychologist from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), applied for through the TIMS system. To open a private practice, you need a separate Licensed Psychologist credential from the State Board of Psychology, which requires a doctorate.
- Pennsylvania has nine NASP-approved school psychology programs: PennWest, Millersville, Lehigh, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, Temple, Duquesne, PCOM, and Eastern. They span EdS, MS+CAGS, PhD, and PsyD degrees across the state, from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia.
- Most Pennsylvania certification programs are three-year EdS or specialist degrees, built around a 1,200-hour internship (at least 600 hours in a school), and most require you to pass the Praxis School Psychologist exam (5403) with a qualifying score of 155. Several state-system programs run evening or hybrid classes so you can keep working while you train.
- PSLF is the loan-forgiveness route that actually works for school psychologists here. Pennsylvania's state teacher loan forgiveness programs are written for classroom teachers and do not cover school psychologists, so do not count on them. Public-school employment, though, qualifies you for federal forgiveness.
Pennsylvania is a big, deep market for school psychologists, with about 2,600 working across the state and nine NASP-approved training programs feeding districts from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. The pay is the honest part: the May 2025 BLS data puts the Pennsylvania median at $82,190, which is about 14% under the $95,990 national median. School psychologists here are paid on the certificated salary schedule most districts use, the same step-and-column scale that pays teachers, so pay climbs predictably with experience and graduate credits, but the starting point sits below what you would earn in a higher-cost state.
Here is how the credential works. To practice in Pennsylvania public K-12 schools, where almost all school psychologists are employed, you earn an Educational Specialist certificate as a Certified School Psychologist from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. You complete a PDE-approved specialist program, finish a full-year internship, pass the Praxis School Psychologist exam, and your program recommends you for the certificate through the state's TIMS application system. If you want to see clients privately outside of schools, that is a different credential entirely, the Licensed Psychologist issued by the State Board of Psychology, which requires a doctorate and the EPPP. Most school psychologists in Pennsylvania never need it.
The training runs through a mix of state-system schools and private universities. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education campuses, PennWest, Millersville, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, train the bulk of specialist-level school psychologists at lower tuition, while Lehigh, Temple, Duquesne, PCOM, and Penn State add specialist and doctoral options. Below you will find every NASP-approved program in Pennsylvania, what the Educational Specialist certificate actually requires, the salary numbers by the data, and how to pick the program that fits where you want to work.
Best School Psychology Programs in Pennsylvania Rankings (NASP-Approved EdS & Specialist)
All 9 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lehigh University: EdS in School Psychology | Private university (per-credit tuition; see program) | On-campus | |
| 2 | Temple University: EdS in School Psychology | Varies by residency (per-credit; see program) | On-campus | |
| 3 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania: EdS in School Psychology | PASSHE in-state rate (per-credit; see program) | Mostly in-person | |
| 4 | Millersville University: EdS in School Psychology | PASSHE in-state rate (per-credit; see program) | On-campus | |
| 5 | PennWest University: MEd + EdS in School Psychology | PASSHE in-state rate (per-credit; see program) | California: in-person weeknight; Edinboro: hybrid | |
| 6 | Eastern University: MS + CAGS in School Psychology | Private university (per-credit tuition; see program) | Hybrid | |
| 7 | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine: EdS in School Psychology | Private institution (per-credit tuition; see program) | On-campus | |
| 8 | Duquesne University: PsyD in School Psychology | Private university (per-credit tuition; see program) | On-campus | |
| 9 | Penn State: PhD in School Psychology | PhD: most students funded (assistantship covers tuition + stipend) | On-campus |
Lehigh University: EdS in School Psychology
In-State
Private university (per-credit tuition; see program)
Out-of-State
Private university (per-credit tuition; see program)
Length
3 years (66 credits; 22 courses)
Field Hours
Practicum + 1,200-hour internship (min. 600 in a school)
Concentrations
- Built on the 2020 NASP standards: two years of coursework, then a full-time internship year
- 66-credit EdS that leads directly to PA certification and NCSP eligibility
- Sits in the Lehigh Valley, a strong regional job market with a research-active department
- You can apply to the doctoral program with the EdS as a stepping stone
Temple University: EdS in School Psychology
In-State
Varies by residency (per-credit; see program)
Out-of-State
Varies by residency (per-credit; see program)
Length
3 years (2 years coursework + 1 internship year)
Field Hours
Practicum + 1,200-hour full-time internship
Concentrations
- Full NASP approval and PDE approval, in the heart of Philadelphia
- Meets certification requirements in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and most other states
- Three-year sequence: two years of coursework and fieldwork, then a yearlong internship
- Strong fit if you want to train and work in a large urban district
Indiana University of Pennsylvania: EdS in School Psychology
In-State
PASSHE in-state rate (per-credit; see program)
Out-of-State
PASSHE out-of-state rate (per-credit; see program)
Length
3 years (MEd earned on the way to the EdS)
Field Hours
Practicum + 1,200-hour internship (min. 600 in a school)
Concentrations
- A state-system program, so tuition runs lower than the private options
- You earn an MEd in Educational Psychology along the way to the EdS
- IUP also runs a PhD in school psychology if you want the doctoral track
- Trains school psychologists for Western Pennsylvania districts that recruit hard
Millersville University: EdS in School Psychology
In-State
PASSHE in-state rate (per-credit; see program)
Out-of-State
PASSHE out-of-state rate (per-credit; see program)
Length
3 years (64 semester hours: 30-credit MS + 34 credits)
Field Hours
Practicum + 1,200-hour full-year internship
Concentrations
- NASP-recognized since 1990, one of the longest-running programs in the state
- You earn a 30-credit MS in Psychology, then finish the 64-hour EdS and certification
- A state-system option in Lancaster County at a lower price point
- Built to accommodate working professionals as well as full-time students
PennWest University: MEd + EdS in School Psychology
In-State
PASSHE in-state rate (per-credit; see program)
Out-of-State
PASSHE out-of-state rate (per-credit; see program)
Length
3 years (30-credit MEd + 37-credit EdS)
Field Hours
Year-long field placement + 1,200-hour internship
Concentrations
- Two campuses, two formats: in-person weeknights at California, hybrid online at Edinboro
- The Edinboro track is mostly online with five monthly Saturday in-person sessions
- California campus runs an on-site school psychology clinic for hands-on training
- A state-system program covering both Western Pennsylvania and the northwest corner
Eastern University: MS + CAGS in School Psychology
In-State
Private university (per-credit tuition; see program)
Out-of-State
Private university (per-credit tuition; see program)
Length
3 years (MS + Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies)
Field Hours
Practicum + 1,200-hour internship (min. 600 in a school)
Concentrations
- Full NASP accreditation through February 2028 at the specialist level
- Hybrid format mixes online coursework with on-campus evening classes near Philadelphia
- You earn an MS plus a CAGS that meets PA and national (NCSP) certification standards
- A practical option if you need to keep working while you train
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine: EdS in School Psychology
In-State
Private institution (per-credit tuition; see program)
Out-of-State
Private institution (per-credit tuition; see program)
Length
3 years (EdS, certification track)
Field Hours
Practicum + 1,200-hour internship (min. 600 in a school)
Concentrations
- Full NASP accreditation and PDE approval for the EdS certification track
- PCOM also runs a NASP- and APA-accredited PsyD if you want the doctoral path
- Competency-based curriculum with a focus on diversity, advocacy, and serving the underserved
- Inside Philadelphia, feeding the largest school district in the state
Duquesne University: PsyD in School Psychology
In-State
Private university (per-credit tuition; see program)
Out-of-State
Private university (per-credit tuition; see program)
Length
4 years (PsyD, 91 credits) or 5 years (PhD)
Field Hours
Practica + a full predoctoral internship
Concentrations
- 91-credit PsyD accredited by both APA and NASP, plus a separate 111-credit PhD
- Prepares you for PA certification, the NCSP, and independent licensure as a psychologist
- The doctorate opens the private-practice and academic-medical doors a specialist degree does not
- A strong Pittsburgh option if you want the doctoral route from the start
Penn State: PhD in School Psychology
In-State
PhD: most students funded (assistantship covers tuition + stipend)
Out-of-State
PhD: most students funded (assistantship covers tuition + stipend)
Length
5 to 6 years (doctoral)
Field Hours
Multi-year practica + a predoctoral internship
Concentrations
- APA-accredited and NASP-approved at the doctoral level; admits only doctoral-track students
- Most students train on funded assistantships that cover tuition and a stipend
- Strong fit if you want research, academic, or doctoral-level practice roles
- Leads to PA certification plus eligibility for licensure as a psychologist
Pennsylvania School Psychologist Certification Requirements (Educational Specialist)
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE): Educational Specialist Certificate, School Psychologist
(717) 728-3224
Pennsylvania runs school psychology through two separate credentials, and which one you need depends entirely on where you want to work. The one almost everybody gets is the Educational Specialist certificate as a Certified School Psychologist, issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It authorizes you to work in Pennsylvania public K-12 schools doing psycho-educational assessment, counseling, crisis response, and intervention design. To earn it you complete a PDE-approved specialist-level program, hold at least a 3.0 graduate GPA, finish a full-year internship, and have your program recommend you. You apply through the TIMS system, the state's online certification portal. The certificate comes in two tiers: the Educational Specialist I (valid six years), which converts to the permanent Educational Specialist II after three years of service and a state induction program.
The second credential, the Licensed Psychologist, comes from the State Board of Psychology and is what you need to practice privately outside the school system. You cannot go straight from a specialist program into it. Per the Board, you need a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) from an APA-accredited or designated program, 1,750 hours of predoctoral internship plus 1,750 hours of postdoctoral supervised experience, and passing scores on the EPPP and the Pennsylvania Jurisprudence Examination. Most school psychologists in Pennsylvania never pursue it. You only go that route if you want a doctoral-level private practice.
Either way, plan to take the Praxis School Psychologist exam (5403), with a qualifying score of 155. Several Pennsylvania programs require a passing score to finish, and the same exam earns you the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential, which makes moving your career to another state much easier later.
Educational Specialist Certificate, Certified School Psychologist (PK-12)
Practice as a school psychologist in Pennsylvania public K-12 schools: assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and intervention design
Hours
1,200
Duration
typically a 3-year program
Exam: Program completion + institutional recommendation via TIMS; Praxis School Psychologist exam (#5403, passing 155); 3.0 graduate GPA
Licensed Psychologist (private practice)
Independent practice of psychology outside public schools: assessment, therapy, and consultation
Hours
3,500
Duration
Associate
Exam: EPPP + Pennsylvania Jurisprudence Examination. Requires 1,750 hours predoctoral internship + 1,750 hours postdoctoral supervised experience
Pennsylvania does not offer automatic reciprocity, but it has a practical shortcut. If you hold the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential, PDE recognizes it and grants the highest-level certificate available, so an out-of-state school psychologist with the NCSP can get certified in Pennsylvania without redoing the state's training program. If you do not hold the NCSP, you apply to PDE through TIMS and the Department reviews your out-of-state preparation against Pennsylvania standards. Either way, document your graduate coursework and your 1,200-hour internship, and budget time for the paperwork before your first Pennsylvania school year starts.
School Psychologist Salary in Pennsylvania
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Pennsylvania pays school psychologists below the national median, and it is worth being upfront about that. The BLS May 2025 data puts the Pennsylvania median at $82,190, against a national median of $95,990, which works out to about 14% under the national line. The range runs from roughly $62,550 at the 10th percentile to $118,440 at the 90th, and the state employs about 2,600 school psychologists. Pay follows the certificated salary schedule districts use, the same step-and-column scale that pays teachers, so it climbs steadily with experience and graduate credits, but the entry rung sits lower than in higher-cost states like New York or California.
A couple of honest caveats. Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax, so unlike a no-income-tax state, a slice of that salary comes off the top. The headline figure also reflects a roughly 10-month, school-year calendar. The upside is cost of living: outside the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metros, housing and day-to-day costs are far lower than in the Northeast corridor, so the salary stretches further than the number suggests. Within the state, the York-Hanover metro tops the list at a $99,550 median, which actually beats the national figure. If you are choosing a program by where you want to live, the metro you land in matters as much as the statewide number.
School Psychologists (BLS 19-3034)
National median: $95,990
Top metro: $99,550 (York-Hanover, PA)
Clinical & Counseling Psychologists (private-practice comparison, BLS 19-3033)
National median: $100,580
Top metro: $96,810 (Pennsylvania (statewide))
Pennsylvania School Psychology Job Market and Demand
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Demand for school psychologists in Pennsylvania is steady, and the math is on your side. NASP recommends one school psychologist for every 500 students, but the actual national ratio sits closer to 1,071 to 1, and you can track the gap on the NASP state shortages dashboard. The work is driven by things schools are legally required to do. Every special education eligibility decision rests on a psycho-educational assessment, and the push to expand school-based mental health since the pandemic has only added to the caseload. With roughly 2,600 school psychologists statewide and nine programs feeding the pipeline, districts in rural and small-town Pennsylvania often compete for graduates.
School psychologists in Pennsylvania work for public school districts, intermediate units (the regional service agencies that support districts), and a growing number of charter and approved private schools. The two big metros, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, hold the densest concentrations of jobs, while rural districts across the central and northern tiers struggle to recruit and sometimes offer the steadiest path to a full-time line. The Pennsylvania Department of Education publishes the certification staffing guidelines districts hire against, so the role is clearly defined and consistently funded.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). School psychologists employed full-time by a public school district or intermediate unit qualify for federal PSLF, which forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying payments. Eligibility is based on your employer, not your job title, so this is the one that reliably works for school psychologists.
Watch out for the teacher-only programs. Pennsylvania's state teacher loan forgiveness options and the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program are written for certified classroom teachers, and school psychologists generally do not qualify. Do not build your plan around them. PHEAA lists the current programs and their eligibility rules.
Lower state-system tuition. The PASSHE programs (PennWest, Millersville, Indiana University of Pennsylvania) keep total borrowing lower to begin with, which is the cheapest form of loan relief there is.
Funded doctoral training. If you go the doctoral route, programs like Penn State fund most students on assistantships that cover tuition and pay a stipend, so part of your training comes without new debt.
How to Choose the Best School Psychology Program in Pennsylvania
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Almost every NASP-approved Pennsylvania program leads to the same Educational Specialist certificate, so the real decision is about location, schedule, degree level, and cost. Here is how the programs sort out.
If you want the cheapest path: the state-system programs at PennWest, Millersville, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania run at PASSHE tuition rates, well below the private universities, and all three are NASP-approved.
If you need to keep working while you study: Eastern University and PennWest Edinboro run hybrid formats with online coursework and limited on-campus time, and Millersville is built to accommodate working professionals.
If you want the Philadelphia job market: Temple, PCOM, and Eastern all sit in or near Philadelphia, the largest district in the state, and Temple's certification meets requirements in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
If you want the Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania market: Duquesne (doctoral) and Indiana University of Pennsylvania and PennWest California (specialist) train school psychologists for the western half of the state.
If you want a doctorate from the start: Penn State's funded PhD, Duquesne's PsyD and PhD, and PCOM's PsyD are APA-accredited and open research, academic-medical, and private-practice doors a specialist degree does not.
If you want the Lehigh Valley: Lehigh University's EdS is research-active, sits in a solid regional job market, and lets you continue to the doctorate if you want it.
If you want a long track record: Millersville has been NASP-recognized since 1990, one of the most established specialist programs in Pennsylvania.
Related Pages
School Psychologist Career Guide
What school psychologists actually do day to day
School Psychologist Salary
Salary data by state, experience, and setting
School Psychology Programs by State
Browse school psychology programs in every state
School Psychology Programs in Ohio
NASP-approved school psychology programs in neighboring Ohio
School Psychology Programs in New Jersey
NASP-approved school psychology programs in neighboring New Jersey
Sources
- NASP: Program Approval & Accreditation List (Pennsylvania)
- Pennsylvania Department of Education: Certification
- PDE: Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)
- PA Certificate Lookup (Search Educator)
- Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology: Licensure Snapshot
- NASP: School Psychology Credentialing Resources (Pennsylvania)
- ETS Praxis: School Psychologist (5403)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: OEWS Pennsylvania, May 2025
- PHEAA: Loan Forgiveness Programs