How long will it take?
If a student has all three prerequisite courses (these can be taken the summer preceding the school year in which the student wishes to start the program), starts the program Fall quarter, and takes a maximum load each of the four quarters in the academic year, the student should be able to complete the required coursework for the Master of Arts degree in one calendar year. An additional year of coursework beyond the Master of Arts degree is required for the Specialist in Education degree. A third year of internship beyond the two years of coursework is required to earn the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology.

How much does it cost?
The 2006-07 tuition rate is $500 per graduate unit. Most courses are 3 units. If a student has completed the prerequisite courses before entering the program, the Master of Arts degree is 45 units. The Specialist in Education degree is an additional 45 units. The internship is a total of 12 units.

How do I get there?
NOTE: Due to recent construction around La Sierra University, many of the roads in the vicinity have changed. Information obtained from Internet maps and directions sites may not be accurate.

From the 91 freeway westbound:

Exit Magnolia Avenue, the first exit past the La Sierra Avenue exit.
At Pierce Street, the first traffic light, and turn right.
Pierce Street becomes Riverwalk Parkway.  Continue on Riverwalk.
Continue past the University's main entrance and turn left onto Sierra Vista Avenue.
Go to the University Church and turn left onto Carmine Street.
Turn left onto Blehm Street, which makes a sharp, right-hand turn and becomes Quiet Lane.
The entrance gates are on the left hand side of Quiet Lane, enter there.
The School of Education is on the left hand side, after the first stop sign, across the street from the Visual Arts Center and Brandstater Gallery.

The front office for the Department of School Psychology and Counseling is upstairs in the School of Education building in Room 207. The campus map can be found at http://www.lasierra.edu/resources/campusmap/index.html.

From the 91 freeway eastbound:

Exit Pierce Street and turn left.
Pierce Street becomes Riverwalk Parkway.  Continue on Riverwalk.
Continue past the University's main entrance and turn left onto Sierra Vista Avenue.
Go to the University Church and turn left onto Carmine Street.
Turn left onto Blehm Street, which makes a sharp, right-hand turn and becomes Quiet Lane.
The entrance gates are on the left hand side of Quiet Lane, enter there.
The School of Education is on the left hand side, after the first stop sign, across from the Visual Arts Center and Brandstater Gallery.

The front office for the Department of School Psychology and Counseling is upstairs in the School of Education building, room 207. The campus map can be found at http://www.lasierra.edu/resources/campusmap/index.html.

What are the prerequisites for the program?
The prerequisite courses, which can be taken concurrently with the program, are EDFO 305 Psychological Foundations of Education, EDPC 504 Standardized Testing in Education, and EDPC 560 The Exceptional Child.

Do I really have to take the GRE?
Yes. The only circumstance in which the Graduate Admissions Committee will even consider waiving the GRE® admission requirement is if the student who is applying for a graduate program already has a Ph.D. or Ed.D. from an educational institution that La Sierra University recognizes as accredited. We strongly recommend that students study for the GRE®. Study guides are available at most major bookstores. Information on how you can take the general GRE® can be found at http://www.gre.org/generalreg.html. Prometric Testing Centers (also known as Sylvan Learning Centers) administer the GRE® by appointment. You can find the testing center closest to you at http://etsis4.ets.org/tcenter/cbt_dm.cfm. The testing center closest to La Sierra University that administers the general subject GRE® is located at 3490 La Sierra Avenue. A student can call (909) 353-8600 to schedule a time to take the GRE® at that location.