Preparing Educators as School Psychologists in Northern Illinois (PESP-NI)
Preparing Educators as School Psychologists in Northern Illinois (PESP-NI)
Receive free training to become a school psychologist.
School psychologists make a positive, lasting difference in students' lives. U.S. News ranks school psychologists No. 3 in Best Social Service Jobs, No. 18 in Best STEM Jobs and No. 40 in 100 Best Jobs. Right now, there's a shortage of school psychologists in northern Illinois. We're helping meet this need by providing free school psychologist training to educators from high-need districts.
Our new program is designed around your working life as an educator. You'll pay nothing for tuition and fees and you'll receive a laptop and stipend for materials and conference travel. If selected to participate, you'll take courses, participate in a practicum and complete an internship. After just three years, you'll be able to get your school psychologist license.
Three cohorts began the program in summer 2023, summer 2024 and summer 2025. Currently, the program is no longer taking additional cohorts due to limited funding. If you are interested in this type of program, fill out the online form to add your contact information to a list that will be notified if future opportunities become available.
You’ll take two or three classes each summer and two or three classes each semester. Classes take place online and are mostly synchronous (taking place at a set time) on evenings during the summer. There are some required asynchronous activities and materials. You will be required to come to NIU's DeKalb campus a few times during the program, but advance notice is provided.
In your second year in the program, you'll complete a school psychology practicum one day a week in the fall and spring semesters. You'll have support from your district, and the grant will cover the cost of your substitute.
In your third year, you'll complete a full-time school psychology internship in the fall and spring semesters. Your district and the grant will cover your typical educator salary during the internship.
All courses are online, typically one evening a week per each course. Scholars will have to come to NIU’s DeKalb campus a few times during the program, but not every term, and advance notice is provided.
Timeline
Course Number
Course Name
Credit Hours
Year 1: Summer
PSYC 639
Ethics, Law and Professional Issues in School Psychology
3
Year 1: Summer
PSYC 595
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Academic Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction
3
Year 1: Fall
PSYC 645
Developmental Psychopathology
3
Year 1: Fall
SESE 515
Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
3
Year 1: Spring
PSYC 595
Seminar (Mental Health in Schools – Tier 1)
3
Year 1: Spring
PSYC 648
Consultative Interventions in School and Community Settings
3
Year 2: Summer
SESE 708
Advanced Behavior Assessment and Functional Analysis
3
Year 2: Summer
ETR 521
Educational Statistics I
3
Year 2: Summer
PSYC 671B
Studies in General Psychology-Individual Differences. Competency Exam: Ethics and Culturally Informed Practice
3
Year 2: Fall
PSYC 640
Theory and Assessment of Intellectual Functioning
3
Year 2: Fall
PSYC 653
Practicum in School Psychology (Second Year)
3
Year 2: Spring
PSYC 646
Psychological Assessment of Children (Behavioral, Social, Emotional)
3
Year 2: Spring
PSYC 647
Psychological Interventions with Children and Their Families
3
Year 2: Spring
PSYC 653
Practicum in School Psychology (Second Year)
3
Year 3: Summer
EPS 505
Issues in Human Development in the Elementary Through High School Years
3
Year 3: Summer
Electives
Two Electives
6
Year 3: Fall
PSYC 656
Internship
3
Year 3: Spring
PSYC 656
Internship
3
Year 3: Spring
PSYC 685
Independent Study: Reflection and Portfolio Preparation
At the program completion, you will earn the specialist in school psychology degree (an advanced graduate degree that is beyond a master's) and professional educator license, with a school psychologist endorsement in Illinois.
Please contact Molly McDade at mmcdade@niu.edu with any additional questions.
The PESP-NI program's third cohort from left to right: Michelle Hundt (Oswego), Jade Arntzen (Oswego), Carrie Jones (Oswego), Kelly Hlavacs (Oswego), Marissa Wadsworth (BMP), Elizabeth Frautschy (NWSE), Tricia Burkart (BMP), and Jessica Bell (DeKalb). Not pictured: Katie Wahl-Alexander (DeKalb)
This program is supported with a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, #S184X220145. Cohorts beginning in summers 2023, 2024 and 2025 are supported on the grant.
