Seattle University’s School Psychology program offers a rich foundation in both psychology and education, preparing graduates to advocate for students and serve diverse communities. As school psychologists, graduates provide counseling, diagnosis and assessment, and research services to support K-12 students in their personal development and academic goals. Dr. Greg Moy, the Assistant Professor in School Psychology, is dedicated to the formation of justice-oriented school psychologists who will create positive change in the field of education.

“I feel like I can amplify my vision for the field through teaching. We graduate over twenty students every year and I can play a part in them living out what they want to do while also sharing some perspectives on what I think the promise of the profession can be in terms of changing schools and changing society,” Dr. Moy says. 

The three-year School Psychology program is designed for a wide variety of students. A common narrative is those who have worked with kids in some capacity—as a teacher or counselor, instructional assistant, or childcare agent—who are looking for a career change and want to take on some specialized skills in school psychology. Class sizes are small and cohorts are collaborative across years.

Of course, in line with the larger mission of Seattle U, the program emphasizes social justice.

How does social justice apply to your program?

Dr. Greg Moy: Social justice is front and center in everything we do, there is not a class that doesn’t directly talk about the social implications of our work, about fairness and justice. Through class conversation and coursework our students learn how to tailor their approaches to meet the needs of diverse individuals and cultural worldviews. The program teaches students how to be multicultural competent leaders who promote social justice and advocate for their clients.

What part does SUYI play in your work?

GM: The Seattle University Youth Initiative is a university-wide initiative to really serve the community that the University is based in, so we’re talking Capitol Hill, First Hill, the ID, and Central District. I’ve been working with schools in those neighborhoods, developing during and after-school mentoring programs that incorporate more social and emotional learning supports.

I get to apply the consultation skills I have as a school psychologist to work for improved outcomes in local neighborhood youth, and that’s what it’s all about for me. I value being engaged in the community, especially as it pertains to services and supports for youth.

Who are your students?

GM: A typical student profile is someone who really likes education, who recognizes the role of education in changing society and people’s lives and wants to be a part of that but doesn’t necessarily see themselves being a classroom teacher.

What are the benefits of the School Psychology program for your students?

GM: There are significant skill gains that students make in our program. School psychology employs a specialized set of skills that includes observation, interviewing, testing, interpreting data to make decisions, developing and recommending interventions, counseling with students, and consulting with teachers and families.

Not only do graduates receive a degree that can lead to Washington state certification to practice school psychology, we also prepare students to practice across the US. All recent graduates successfully passed a national exam which permits them to practice in every state in the nation as Nationally Certified School Psychologists.

What are the larger benefits of becoming a school psychologist?

GM: A school psychologist has a unique perspective in the schools, a different vantage point. You get to see a whole lot more and you get to think about systemic solutions. Nine out of 10 school psychologists are going to be invested in doing upfront prevention work to avoid problems down the road.

One last thing that students should consider: US News and World Report has ranked School Psychology as either the #1 or #2 social service job for several years in a row. Salaries are competitive, and, for most school-based practitioners, that means summers and other school holidays off.

Click here for more information about Seattle University’s College of Education.