
Counseling and Psychology in Education
Leave your mark on the world around you as mental health counselors, school psychologists, or human development and educational professionals.
Become an Advocate for All
Strengthen your sense of professional identity through training founded in social responsibility, self-awareness, diversity and inclusive excellence that prepares you to be an advocate for others. Along the way, you will form close mentorship with faculty that allows you to self-direct your program and develop expertise in the area of your choosing.
Position yourself at the forefront of education, mental health, ethics and research as a counseling and psychology in education graduate student at USD.
Degrees & Offerings
Counseling & Psychology in Education: Counseling (M.A.)
Master'sCounseling & Psychology in Education: Human Development & Education Psychology (M.A., Ed.S., Ph.D.)
DoctorateCounseling & Psychology in Education: School Psychology (Ed.S., Ph.D.)
DoctorateOur nationally accredited school psychology program provides individualized, hands-on training in providing a full range of psychological services for children of all ages. Learn how to evaluate learning, emotional and behavioral problems, design and implement academic and behavioral interventions and collaborate with teachers, parents and other professionals.
Our students have a 100 percent pass rate on the Praxis School Psychologist examination.
Program Details
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Known for Excellence
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.
An Affordable Education
Gain valuable real-world, professional experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates as a graduate student at USD. The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships and fellowships will equip you with valuable, professional-level skills that will set you apart after graduation.
Teaching and research assistantships are awarded by individual departments. If you do not receive an assistantship within your department, you are eligible for an assistantship outside of your academic program or within support offices (non-academic units) at USD. Further inquiries should be directed to the graduate director of the department.
At USD, our graduate students are actively pursuing unique research and presenting at local and national conferences exploring innovative areas of interest to them. Additional research and grant opportunities include:
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition provides the opportunity to communicate the significance and impact of your research project in just three minutes.
Research and Creative Scholarship Opportunities
Each semester students may apply for grants through the USD Graduate School, faculty and students pursue research in virtually all academic departments on campus, and in many cases, it is a required portion of a graduate degree program.
IdeaFest
IdeaFest is an annual event celebrating student research, creative scholarship and academic engagement. Undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines present their work in oral and poster presentations, live performances, readings, exhibits and displays.
USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the School of Education. You may be interested in joining a student organization to make friends, develop new skills and explore your interests.
Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA)
Join your fellow graduate and professional students at USD. We aim to build a sense of community between graduate and professional students. Build your resume, network with others and gain experience and the unique opportunity to represent the interests of graduate students to the greater campus and community.
DivisionS & Facilities

Counseling & Psychology in Education
We'll train students to make a difference and impact the lives of others as mental health counselors, school psychologists, or human development and educational professionals.

Counseling & School Psychological Services Center
Community resources provided by supervised USD students.
Faculty & Staff

Unlock Your Career Opportunities

Discounted Tuition for South Dakota Teachers and Vocational Instructors
If you live in South Dakota, be sure and take advantage of the 50% reduced tuition program for currently contracted elementary/secondary teachers and vocational instructors.
Surprisingly Affordable
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GA (Resident*)
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Resident
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Online
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Non-Resident
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Tuition (1 cr.)
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180.3
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340.15
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470.45
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654.05
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GAF Fee (1 cr.)
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55.3
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55.3
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0
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55.3
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Total
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More About Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates are subject to change and may vary depending on the program or department. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs page for more information.
* Graduate Assistant (GA) rates are available for resident, non-resident and online students.
** Resident rates may be available to you through the SD Advantage, Child of Alumni or Western Regional Graduate Program. To see if you quality, visit usd.edu/grad-tuition.