UIndy launches new School Psychology program to help address statewide workforce need
The University of Indianapolis is launching a new graduate program in school psychology this fall to meet a growing statewide need for trained school psychologists. The hybrid program is designed to support working professionals who may already be employed in schools or behavioral health settings. Students will earn both a Master of Arts (M.A.) and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree.
A 2025 survey of superintendents and administrators across Indiana found that many school districts have extremely high caseloads for school psychologists and great difficulty filling open positions. Administrators also expressed a need for a flexible graduate program that would allow current employees to pursue an advanced degree while continuing to work.
“Superintendents consistently tell us there is a real shortage of trained and qualified school psychologists,” said John Kuykendall, UIndy School of Education Dean. “This new program is a direct response to that need. As the only school psychology program in Indianapolis, UIndy is uniquely positioned to prepare highly qualified professionals who will truly make a difference in children’s lives as well as in the school communities they serve.”
School psychologists play a critical role in evaluating students who may be struggling academically, behaviorally or emotionally. They conduct formal assessments for educational disabilities such as a specific learning disability or autism spectrum disorder to determine whether a child qualifies for special education services and to identify the specific supports needed to help them succeed.
“I am very excited about what this program means for children who need a little extra help and the dedicated adults who want to help them thrive,” said Rachel Feldwisch, licensed school counselor, counseling psychologist and the associate dean of UIndy’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. “By combining asynchronous and synchronous coursework with monthly Saturday intensives and a small cohort model, we are creating a pathway for working adults to gain the specialized training they need without stepping away from the students and communities they serve.”
Coursework for the school psychology program is designed to be completed in two years. Students pursuing the Ed.S. will then complete a one-year internship in a school district anywhere in Indiana. The program will operate in a small cohort model with approximately 12 students per cohort to allow for individualized attention and faculty mentorship.
Applicants must have at least 18 credit hours in psychology and education prerequisites. Admissions are reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of June 1. More information and application instructions are available at https://uindy.edu/cebs/eds-ma-school-psychology/
For more information about this new program or its impact on Indiana schools or workforce development, please contact UIndy’s Director of Public & Media Relations Dan Klein at kleind@uindy.edu.