Michigan Association of School Psychologists (MASP)
Proposed Costs of School Psychology Program Expansion
In order to address the critical shortage of school psychologists, we must create more training opportunities in Michigan. Further, we must develop opportunities that are available to a wider geographical region, specifically rural areas. To accomplish this, we recommend that the state develop a grant program to assist universities in developing new training programs, expanding current programs, and/or developing distance learning models. A grant program has the potential to double the number of new school psychologists entering the workforce each year, and to provide training opportunities for adult learners who wish to stay in their communities.
School Psychology Training Capacity Requirements: To maintain accreditation (which is required for certification in MI), programs must maintain a 1:12 faculty to student ratio |
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Annual Costs: New program development |
Annual Costs: Expand current program |
New Personnel Costs: Need: A minimum of 3 faculty positions: Salary and benefits: $100,000-110,000/year per faculty position: Total: $300,000 - $330,000/year |
New Personnel Costs: Need: A minimum of one additional school psychology faculty position or part-time faculty to teach new courses. Salary and benefits: $90,000 - $110,000/year Total: $90,000 - $110,000 |
Technology and Material Costs: Need: Software, technology services, and test kits for training Total: $20,000 - $30,000 |
Technology and Material Costs: Need: Software, technology services, and test kits for training. Total: $10,000 - $20,000 |
Program Development and Coordination: Need: Faculty time for program/curriculum development, student recruitment, accreditation costs, graduate/teaching assistants, and/or staff time. Total: $20,000 - $30,000 |
Program Development and Coordination: Need: Faculty time for program/curriculum development, student recruitment, accreditation costs, graduate/teaching assistants, and/or staff time. Total: $20,000 - $30,000 |
Total: 340,000 - 390,000/year These costs can be provided for 1, 2, or 3 years. Universities will vary in how many years of start-up support they need to gain institutional support and to sustain the costs of the positions in their own budgets. |
Total: $120,000 - $150,000/year |
A grant program has the capability to double the number of new school psychologists entering the workforce each year.