History
Since the early 1980’s, the School Psychology Program has met the need expressed by administrators and school psychology practitioners for a program providing a broadened educational background for school psychologists. This broad preparation has enabled program graduates more flexibility in meeting the needs of all students in a preventive role. It has also prepared school psychologists with the skills to collaborate and/or consult with classroom teachers and parents prior to and following assessment and placement of k-12 students in special education.
In 1980, the Seattle University Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the educational specialist degree (Ed.S.) program in School Psychology. In 1982, the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction approved the program as meeting state requirements for Educational Staff Associate (E.S.A.) certification in school psychology. The program was approved under new Washington State Residency Standards in 2005.
The program was nationally recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) in 1998 and 2010. One of the strengths noted by NASP was that "professional ethics are infused through the philosophy and content of the Seattle program."