WT School Psychology Graduate Program Earns National Accreditation

Feb. 25, 2025

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas —West Texas A&M University’s school psychology graduate program was granted full accreditation by the National Association of School Psychologists, recognizing that the WT program meets the highest quality of training and promoting national standards of practice.

An official launch event will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Hazel Kelley Wilson Room in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center on WT’s Canyon campus.

“To be accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists is an honor, and it speaks to the exceptional quality of the preparation and training our students receive,” said Dr. Gary Bigham, dean of the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences. “This accreditation enhances the value of the credentials earned by graduates of WT’s school psychology program.

According to the NASP, school psychologists help children and youth to succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students.

“School psychologists are in one of the best positions to help children and families from all areas, backgrounds and situations,” said Dr. Kenneth Denton, associate professor of psychology and associate dean. “They’re the problem-solvers of the school system, interested in the success of all children.”

WT’s school psychology graduate program, which launched WHEN, provides a high level of student-faculty interaction and support, providing relationships with local schools that allow ongoing real-world training and for students to put research into practice to better help children, families and schools.

The program is designed to meet both the requirements for licensed specialist in school psychology, or LSSP, the credential required in Texas; as well as the nationally certified school psychologist credential, or NSCP, allowing graduates to be credentialed to work in educational settings in most states.

Classes are offered over evenings and weekends in order to be accessible for working students.

U.S. News & World Report ranked school psychology as the No. 6 social service job and the No. 53 STEM job in 2025.

Meeting regional needs are key components of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: Dr. Kassi Gregory, assistant professor of psychology, leads a class in Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center. WT's school psychology graduate program recently was granted full accreditation by the National Association of School Psychologists

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