National Accreditation Strengthens SWOSU’s Role in Preparing School Psychologists

SWOSU School Psychology faculty and students during the program's NASP accreditation site visit. Top row, from left: Dr. Richmond Amakye; practicum students Amy Duncan and Lexis Miller; and interns Elizabeth McNutt, Danielle Robinson and Jodee Haack. Second row: Dawn Keller; interns Allison Brown and Rewa Blackstar; and Dr. Amy Barnett.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University's (SWOSU) School Psychology Program has earned full national accreditation as Oklahoma schools continue to need professionals who support students' learning, behavior and mental health. The designation confirms that the specialist-level program meets national standards for preparing school psychologists and strengthens an important pathway into the profession.

The Southwestern Oklahoma State University specialist program in school psychology is fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The accreditation is effective Aug. 1, 2026, through Aug. 1, 2031, and applies to the program leading to the Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology.

NASP establishes national standards for graduate preparation, credentialing, professional practice and ethics in school psychology. Its decision gives current and prospective students external assurance that SWOSU's curriculum, faculty, field experiences and student outcomes meet the profession's standards.

The accreditation also supports graduates as they pursue state credentials and the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential, provided they meet all additional requirements. In Oklahoma, a full-time school psychologist who holds the NCSP credential and works for a public school district may qualify for a $5,000 annual salary bonus, subject to available state funding.

"Full NASP accreditation affirms the quality, rigor, and national relevance of SWOSU's preparation of specialist-level school psychologists," said Dr. Richmond Amakye, assistant professor and director of the School Psychology Program. "Most importantly, it strengthens our ability to prepare professionals who can support children's learning, behavior, mental health, and well-being in schools across Oklahoma and beyond."

SWOSU School Psychology faculty and field supervisors during the NASP accreditation site visit. From left: Dr. Amy Barnett; Margarita Cruz, Yukon Public Schools; Michael Wilson and Carrie Compton, El Reno Public Schools; and MaKenzie LoBaugh, Yukon Public Schools.

NASP reviewers recognized the program's service to a high-need rural region where schools face shortages in school psychology services. They also commended the program's preparation in psychometry, applied assessment and data-based decision-making, along with faculty members' continued work to meet national standards.

Students gain experience through supervised practica and a yearlong internship in school settings. The program prepares them to assess student needs, support academic and behavioral progress, respond to mental health concerns, consult with families and educators, and assist schools during crises. Evening and weekend courses accommodate professionals who are working while completing the program.

Recent results provide additional evidence of that preparation. SWOSU's 2023-24 Annual Student Assessment Report documented a 100% pass rate on program assessments. Every student who took the School Psychology Praxis examination passed before graduation.

The accreditation followed an extensive self-study and external review based on NASP's 2020 graduate preparation standards. Reviewers examined the program's curriculum, policies, resources, student assessments, Praxis results, field experiences and outcome data. A site visit on April 8-9, 2026, also brought reviewers together with administrators, faculty, students, alumni, field supervisors and program partners.

Dr. Amakye and Dr. Amy Barnett, Bernhardt Professor and director of the School Psychometry Program, led and supported the accreditation effort through program leadership transitions. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, administrators, field supervisors and school-district partners also contributed to the review. Their work secured national accreditation for a program that helps address an important need in Oklahoma schools.

For more information about the SWOSU School Psychology Program, visit https://www.swosu.edu/academics/degrees/school-psychology-eds.php.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves more than 5,000 students and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit https://www.swosu.edu.