California Baptist University
Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education
“We believe education is a calling and we exist to equip, empower and encourage leader-educators to impact our communities, country and world.”
Robin Duncan, EdD Dean, Metcalf School of Education
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This program is made up of a cohort of students that progress through the program together. The cohort model creates an environment where cooperative learning is cultivated with relationships that are essential for vocational networking.
Students will be required to complete a signficant number of hours in the field during their course of studies. The blend of theory and clinical experience provides a model for success in the student’s internship and career as a school psychologist.
Students of this program earn both a Master of Science in School Psychology and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology recognized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Program Length
68 units
3 years (8 semesters)
Program Cost*
$56,300
$785 per unit
$365 per semester general fee
Program Start Term
Fall (September)
Classes are offered on campus Monday–Thursday evenings
*Based on current academic year. Subject to change.
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
Led by biblical truth, the Metcalf School of Education’s mission is to prepare globally minded educational leaders of high moral character who are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to create inclusive, lifelong learners.
Meet Dollen Azzam, a school psychologist at Kennedy High School, who graduated from CBU in 2015 with a master’s in school psychology. She has been a school psychologist for six years and is very passionate about mental health. She loves working with children and adolescents, and explains how the career she is in is the perfect blend of both.
Q: Why did you want to study school psychology?
A: I actually graduated with my undergraduate degree in business and planned on going into the field of fashion marketing. I realized at some point, however, that a career in business was not going to be fulfilling for me. I needed to find a role where I could help people, and some soul searching and exploring of other career options/programs led me to school psychology.
Q: What have you loved most about working in the field you are in?
A: The one thing I love the most about my job and what keeps me going every day is getting to work with children and adolescents. It is very fulfilling to know that I am making an impact on the lives of others, and I enjoy building relationships with students and watching them progress.
Q: What about CBU caught your eye when applying to grad programs?
A: What stood out to me about CBU is the fact that the faculty seemed to care so much about each individual student. I was coming into the program with no educational background, so I felt that a small program would be a better fit for me. CBU’s program was also more affordable than some of the other programs I had looked at, and that was a factor in my decision.
Q: How did CBU prepare you for the job you are in currently?
A: CBU gave me the necessary foundational skills and theoretical knowledge to be able to go into my internship experience and be ready to learn on the on the job. My professors at CBU also taught me about the many nuances of this complex career, so I knew what to expect when I was in the field.
Q: What was one of the most valuable things you took from your time at CBU?
A: The most valuable part of my CBU experience was the relationships I built with my peers and the CBU faculty. I still keep in touch with peers from my cohort, and I am very thankful for the caring relationship I had with many of my professors.
Q: What is a piece of advice you would give to someone looking to apply to this program?
A: I would recommend speaking to the program director and getting a sense of the culture of the program. If possible, it would also be helpful to speak to current students in the program to get some inside feedback.
Pedro Olvera, PsyD Program Director, School Psychology
My calling as a school psychologist began while working as a youth counselor in a group home for children who were in the foster care system or on probation. I wanted to understand how to best support and provide them with the resources to be successful in life despite the challenges that they encountered. I wanted to serve as an advocate and someone who could encourage them in their life journey and found that school psychologists were key professionals that provided this type of guidance for children and adolescents, and I was immediately drawn to the profession.
I have been a bilingual school psychologist for 21 years and have practiced in Southern California, Alaska and Washington state. My scholarly interests and areas of research relate to working with children who are both Latino/a and bilingual. Oftentimes misunderstood, these students are mislabeled or perceived to be lower achieving because they are not proficient in English. However, my research has demonstrated time and again that these students, when given the
appropriate learning supports and opportunities like their English-speaking peers, will thrive and excel in their learning. My passion in this area grew out my personal experience as an English learner.
School psychologists are passionate about what they do. We work with families, students, school systems and community groups daily. We conduct assessments and provide mental health support for children who are dealing with difficult life circumstances. In many cases, we will be the only mental health provider that children and families will ever encounter.
Our faith-based frontline approach to mental health support in school systems helps us connect children to the resources that they need to cope with trauma, learn to their potential or even develop a meaningful relationship with a school adult that can provide empathy and support.
Application for admission with a $45 graduate application fee.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or the evaluated equivalency.
Official transcripts of all college coursework.
Minimum GPA of 2.75 or presentation of a minimum combined score of 300 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or passing score on the CSET exam to overcome a low grade point average.
Proof of having met basic skills requirements by:
• Passing the state-administered California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) or equivalent by the second semester of enrollment
• Qualifying coursework
• Combination of both of the above
Verification of Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing granted prior to admission.
Written statement of purpose and in-person/virtual program interview. Written statement (500-word maximum) and interview will address:
• What are your educational goals?
• How will this program help meet those goals?
• What makes you a good fit for CBU?
Additional requirements may be requested.
Completed with a grade of “C” or better:
• General Psychology
• Introductory Statistics
• Abnormal Psychology OR Personality Theories
One (1) of the following:
• Growth Development and Learning
• Lifespan Development
• Educational Psychology
*At least two (2) prerequisites must be completed prior to admission. Remaining prerequisites must be completed within the first semester of the program.
Submit a graduate application at calbaptist.edu/gradapp.
Send official college or university transcripts.
Provide any supplemental documents required.
Ready to take the next step? Follow this QR code to start your application!
8432 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92504
Admissions 8432 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92504
951.343.4249
calbaptist.edu
Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education
951.343.4313 calbaptist.edu/school-of-education
