School Psychology Graduate Program
Financial Support
Visit GVSU's Financial Aid website for general information on financial support, scholarships, and filing for FAFSA.
There are a limited number of graduate assistantships in the University. They are part-time, paid work experiences for graduates in their field of study, which allows them to expand and/or apply their discipline knowledge and skills under supervision. Tuition is also paid based on requirements of number of hours worked and course credits being taken per semester. Visit the Graduate School's website for more information on these positions.
The university provides additional funds to support graduate students' research and travel to academic conferences:
NEW Funding & Training Opportunity for 2025-2026!
Our Meeting Mental Health Implementation Needs for Districts and Students (M-MINDS) project is focused on increasing the number and diversity of school psychologists to implement evidence-based, culturally responsive mental health interventions in high-need schools in Michigan. This project is funded by a Mental Health Services Professionals Demonstration grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
8
Graduate Students Supported per Year
5
West Michigan Public School District Partners
$2.86 million
Grant Award from U.S. Department of Education
Project Goals
Through M-MINDS, we aim to
- Work with public school district partners to identify needs and develop systems to support the mental health of their youth
- Increase the diversity of school psychologists in Michigan
- Equip school psychologists and other school professionals to implement tiered mental health interventions in schools
- Improve K-12 student mental health outcomes in high-need districts
Training & Experience
Trainees will participate in
- Didactic training in tiered mental health supports through core coursework including Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curricula, TRAILS cognitive behavioral (CBT)/mindfulness intervention, PREPaRE crisis prevention and intervention, and behavioral threat assessment.
- Special Inclusive Practice seminars. Topics will be developed in consultation with district partners but potential topics include culturally-responsive SEL, supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, supporting English Learners in schools, inclusion and disability, suicide risk assessment, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and trauma-informed practices.
- Authentic practicum experiences in partnering school districts (18 hours a week) supervised by school-mental health coordinators and/or school psychologists. These fieldwork experiences are still supported and supervised by core program faculty.
Financial Support
Pending final DOE approval, trainees receive financial assistance during first 2 years of graduate program including
- Tuition waivers (54 credits)
- Paid stipends for fieldwork hours ($15,000 per year)
- Mileage costs to fieldwork sites
- Textbooks & other required materials
- Praxis exam fee
Commitment to MI Schools
Partnering school districts have high-need schools based on student population characteristics and shortages of school-based mental health providers
Trainees must agree to working in a high-need district in Michigan for
- 3rd year Internship
- 2 years post-graduation
How to Apply
All prospective students to the school psychology program can be considered for Project M-MINDS. M-MINDS will support a portion of graduate students beginning the program in 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028 academic years. Project acceptance is contingent on acceptance into the school psychology graduate program. Please see the admissions website for details about applying to our graduate program. No additional materials are required to be considered for M-MINDS, but a candidate can elect to add information about project interest to their personal statement.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Kristen Schrauben, Graduate Program Director & M-MINDS Project Recruitment and Admissions Lead ([email protected])
Dr. Jamie Owen-DeSchryver, M-MINDS Project Director ([email protected])
NOTE: This project is supported in whole by a $2.86 million Mental Health Services Professionals Demonstration grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (Award Number S184X240076).
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