Developing High Quality, Online Training Programs to Meet the Critical Shortage: Outcomes, Challenges, and Opportunities

Year: 2024

Issue: Vol. 40 Issue. 3

Title: Developing High Quality, Online Training Programs to Meet the Critical Shortage: Outcomes, Challenges, and Opportunities

Citation: Proctor, B. E., & Lawlar, J. M. (2024) Developing High Quality, Online Training Programs to Meet the Critical Shortage: Outcomes, Challenges, and Opportunities. School Psychology Training and Pedagogy, 40 (3), 60-74. 

Abstract: This descriptive study reviews the current research on the viability of online school psychology training programs and presents applicant and outcome data from one university. The school psychology program at Eastern Washington University is an online training program accredited by the National Association of Schools Psychologists (NASP). The program has three tracks: hybrid, 2-year online, and 3-year online. All courses (100%) in all tracks are delivered online; tracks are differentiated by applicants’ level of education and professional experience. In the previous two years, EWU received 285 applications with an acceptance rate of 31.9%. All admitted students in the 2- and 3-year tracks have at least three years of full-time teaching experience or fve years of professional experience in a related feld; hybrid track students are (on average) younger and have less professional experience. Racial/ethnic minority representation (range of 16% - 39%) is similar to the national average. Approximately half of admitted students are frst generation college students. A review of outcome data from 61 program graduates demonstrates a 100% passing rate on the Praxis and high (92%-100%) feld supervisor ratings across the 10 domains of practice. Ninety-eight percent of recent graduates are currently employed as school psychologists. Results support the use of high-quality online programs to address the critical shortage of school psychologists.

Keywords: school psychology, online programs, critical shortage, distance learning

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