Best School Psychology Programs in Florida Rankings for 2026
NASP-approved EdS and specialist programs in Florida, with the FLDOE school psychologist certification pathway, the separate Board of Psychology license for private practice, internship requirements, tuition, and school psychologist salary data for 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Florida school psychologists earn a median of $84,760, about 11.7% below the $95,990 national median (BLS, May 2025). That sounds rough, but Florida has no state income tax, so more of that paycheck reaches your bank account than the same salary would in California or New York.
- You work in public schools with a School Psychologist (PK-12) certificate from the Florida Department of Education. To practice independently in private settings, you need a separate School Psychologist license from the Department of Health, Board of Psychology. Two different credentials, two different agencies.
- Florida has NASP-approved specialist programs at the University of Florida, University of South Florida, Florida State, UCF, Florida International, Nova Southeastern, and Barry University, plus APA-accredited doctoral tracks at UF and USF. Public-university resident tuition runs roughly $370 to $400 a credit hour.
- Most Florida programs are three-year EdS or specialist degrees of about 71 to 79 credit hours, built around a 1,200-hour internship (at least 600 hours in a school). Several Florida districts, including all three South Florida counties, now offer paid internships, which cuts your debt during the most expensive year.
- Florida has a documented shortage of school psychologists. NASP recommends one school psychologist per 500 students, but FASP reports Florida sits closer to one per 2,000. That gap keeps demand, paid internships, and job security high for new graduates.
Florida is one of the largest school psychology markets in the South, and it has a real shortage of practitioners, which is good news if you are trying to break in. The state employs about 2,020 school psychologists and pays a median of $84,760 a year, according to May 2025 BLS data. That median sits below the $95,990 national figure, so it is fair to call Florida a below-average payer on paper. The honest counterweight is taxes. Florida charges no state income tax, so a $84,760 salary here keeps more take-home pay than the same number would in a high-tax state, and the Miami metro pays meaningfully more than the rest of Florida.
Here is the part that trips people up. Florida splits school psychology across two credentials. To work in public PK-12 schools, where the large majority of school psychologists are employed, you need the School Psychologist certification from the Florida Department of Education. If you want to practice independently and see families outside the school system, that is a different credential entirely, the School Psychologist license from the Department of Health, Board of Psychology, which you earn only after years of supervised experience. Most people start with the FLDOE certificate and add the Department of Health license later, if at all.
The training path runs through Florida's public universities and a couple of strong private programs. The State University System campuses host most of the NASP-approved specialist and doctoral programs, and at roughly $370 to $400 a credit hour in resident graduate tuition, they are far cheaper than the private options. Below you will find the NASP-approved programs across Florida, what the two credentials actually require, real salary numbers by metro, and how to pick the program that fits where you want to work.
Best School Psychology Programs in Florida Rankings (NASP-Approved EdS & Specialist)
All 9 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida: EdS in School Psychology | ~$370/credit hour (Florida resident graduate rate) + fees | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of South Florida: EdS in School Psychology | ~$370/credit hour (Florida resident graduate rate) + fees | On-campus | |
| 3 | Florida State University: MS/EdS in School Psychology | ~$404/credit hour (Florida resident graduate rate) + fees | On-campus | |
| 4 | University of Central Florida: EdS in School Psychology | ~$370/credit hour (Florida resident graduate rate) + fees | On-campus | |
| 5 | Florida International University: EdS in School Psychology | ~$370/credit hour (Florida resident graduate rate) + fees | On-campus | |
| 6 | Nova Southeastern University: PsyS (Specialist) in School Psychology | Private university (per-credit tuition; see program) | On-campus or online | |
| 7 | Barry University: MS/SSP in School Psychology | Private university (per-credit tuition; see program) | On-campus | |
| 8 | University of Florida: PhD in School Psychology | PhD: assistantships frequently cover tuition waivers + a stipend | On-campus | |
| 9 | University of South Florida: PhD in School Psychology | PhD: students in good standing currently receive university funding | On-campus |
University of Florida: EdS in School Psychology
In-State
~$370/credit hour (Florida resident graduate rate) + fees
Out-of-State
Resident rate + nonresident per-credit surcharge
Length
3 years (72 graduate credit hours)
Field Hours
1,200-hour internship (min. 600 in a school), completed in year three
Concentrations
- UF's EdS runs 72 graduate credit hours and includes a year-long internship in year three
- Recognized as a Nationally Recognized program through CAEP by NASP, and approved by the Florida Department of Education
- Students complete internship in Florida K-12 schools and at sites across the nation
- Sits inside a flagship research university, with the option to continue into the APA-accredited PhD
University of South Florida: EdS in School Psychology
In-State
~$370/credit hour (Florida resident graduate rate) + fees
Out-of-State
Resident rate + nonresident per-credit surcharge
Length
3 years (includes a full-year internship and a thesis)
Field Hours
Full-year, full-time internship (1,200 hours, min. 600 in a school)
Concentrations
- One of Florida's oldest programs, running more than 40 years with about 55 graduate students in residence
- All students in good standing currently receive financial support from the university, a rare perk at the specialist level
- Accredited by CAEP and NASP-approved at both the EdS and PhD levels
- Strong ties to Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Hillsborough districts for practicum and internship placements
Florida State University: MS/EdS in School Psychology
In-State
~$404/credit hour (Florida resident graduate rate) + fees
Out-of-State
Resident rate + nonresident per-credit surcharge
Length
3 years (73 graduation credit hours)
Field Hours
1,200-hour internship (min. 600 in a school)
Concentrations
- Fully accredited by both NASP and the Florida Department of Education
- About 90% of second-year students receive an assistantship with a tuition fee waiver
- Roughly 40% of third-year internships are paid, and all come with a tuition fee waiver
- About 75% of students complete their internship in Florida public schools, the rest in nearby states
University of Central Florida: EdS in School Psychology
In-State
~$370/credit hour (Florida resident graduate rate) + fees
Out-of-State
Resident rate + nonresident per-credit surcharge
Length
3 years (minimum 74 credit hours)
Field Hours
Full-time, two-semester internship in public schools (1,200 hours)
Concentrations
- 74-credit-hour program: 62 hours of coursework before internship, then 18 hours during the internship year
- Requires a portfolio, a practicum, and a research report to graduate
- Approved by the Florida Department of Education, so graduates qualify for state certification
- Located in fast-growing Orlando, feeding Central Florida districts that are hiring
Florida International University: EdS in School Psychology
In-State
~$370/credit hour (Florida resident graduate rate) + fees
Out-of-State
Resident rate + nonresident per-credit surcharge
Length
3 to 4 years (minimum 73 graduate credit hours)
Field Hours
1,200-hour internship (min. 600 in a school), often paid
Concentrations
- NASP-approved through 2029, so its national standing is locked in for now
- Every district in the tri-county area (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) offers paid internships
- 73-credit-hour specialist degree, including the full-time internship year
- A direct pipeline into the diverse South Florida districts where bilingual school psychologists are in demand
Nova Southeastern University: PsyS (Specialist) in School Psychology
In-State
Private university (per-credit tuition; see program)
Out-of-State
Private university (per-credit tuition; see program)
Length
3 years full-time, or 4 years for working professionals
Field Hours
1,200-hour internship over a 30-week field placement (PSY 810)
Concentrations
- Fully accredited by NASP and approved by the Florida Department of Education
- 79-credit specialist degree, with a four-year online track built for working professionals
- One of the few Florida programs with a genuine online option (paired with on-campus residential institutes)
- Shares core coursework with NSU's PsyD, so you can step up to the doctorate later
Barry University: MS/SSP in School Psychology
In-State
Private university (per-credit tuition; see program)
Out-of-State
Private university (per-credit tuition; see program)
Length
3 years (71 semester hours: 30 MS + 41 SSP)
Field Hours
1,200-hour internship (min. 600 in a school)
Concentrations
- NASP-approved and FLDOE-approved, with a clear MS-into-SSP ladder of 71 total semester hours
- Built to meet both the Florida certification and the private-practice licensure requirements
- Small private-school cohorts in the Miami Shores area, inside the Miami-Dade job market
- Coursework follows NASP standards, so graduates can sit for the Praxis and pursue the NCSP
University of Florida: PhD in School Psychology
In-State
PhD: assistantships frequently cover tuition waivers + a stipend
Out-of-State
PhD: nonresident tuition waivers available for funded students
Length
5 to 6 years (122 graduate credit hours)
Field Hours
Year-long predoctoral internship plus multi-year practica
Concentrations
- 122-credit-hour doctorate with a year-long internship, early research experience, and a dissertation
- Fully accredited by the American Psychological Association and the Florida Department of Education
- Graduate assistantships often cover in-state tuition waivers and a stipend, and can include nonresident waivers
- The doctorate opens research, faculty, and academic-medical roles and speeds the path to the Board of Psychology license
University of South Florida: PhD in School Psychology
In-State
PhD: students in good standing currently receive university funding
Out-of-State
PhD: students in good standing currently receive university funding
Length
5 to 6 years (doctoral)
Field Hours
Year-long predoctoral internship plus practica across Tampa Bay districts
Concentrations
- APA-accredited doctoral program inside a top public research university
- All students in good standing currently receive financial support from the university
- NASP-approved at the doctoral level and CAEP-accredited, the same program family as the EdS
- Strong placement ties to Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Hillsborough county schools
Florida School Psychologist Credential Requirements (FLDOE Certification and Board of Psychology License)
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Florida Department of Education: School Psychologist Certification (PK-12)
(850) 245-5049
Florida runs school psychology through two separate credentials, and knowing which one you need saves a lot of confusion. The one almost everybody gets is the School Psychologist (PK-12) certificate, issued by the Florida Department of Education under Rule 6A-4.0311. It authorizes you to work in Florida public schools doing psychoeducational assessment, counseling, crisis response, and intervention design. To earn it you complete a specialist-level (or higher) program with at least 60 semester hours of graduate credit in school psychology, including a supervised practicum and a 1,200-hour internship with at least 600 hours in an elementary or secondary school. Holding the NASP Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential is one of the accepted pathways to that certificate.
The second credential, the School Psychologist license, comes from the Department of Health, Board of Psychology, and lets you practice independently outside the school system. You cannot go straight from a graduate program into this license. You need a qualifying degree with 60 semester hours of graduate study, a passing score on the ETS Praxis School Psychologist exam, and at least three years (4,500 hours) of supervised school psychology experience, including two years (3,000 hours) supervised by a licensed or certified school psychologist or licensed psychologist. Most school psychologists never need this license. You only pursue it if you want a private practice.
Either way, plan to take the Praxis School Psychologist exam (#5403). It is required for the Department of Health license, and a passing score of 155 also earns you the NCSP, which makes it far easier to move your career to another state later. Several Florida programs build Praxis preparation into the final year, so you graduate ready to credential.
School Psychologist Certificate, PK-12 (Florida Department of Education)
Practice as a school psychologist in Florida public PK-12 schools: assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and intervention design
Hours
1,200
Duration
typically a 3-year program
Exam: NASP certification (NCSP) is one accepted pathway; Praxis School Psychologist exam (#5403, NCSP passing score 155) is the standard exam route
Licensed School Psychologist (private practice, Board of Psychology)
Independent practice of school psychology within and outside school settings: assessment, counseling, and consultation
Hours
4,500
Duration
Associate
Exam: ETS Praxis School Psychologist exam plus the Florida Laws and Rules exam. Requires 3 years (4,500 hours) of experience, 2 years (3,000 hours) under a licensed or certified school psychologist or licensed psychologist
Florida does not hand out automatic reciprocity, but it offers a clean route for experienced out-of-state school psychologists. If you hold a valid full-time school psychologist credential from another state and completed three years of full-time experience there, that experience is one of the recognized pathways to Florida certification under Rule 6A-4.0311. Holding the NCSP national certification is also an accepted pathway on its own, because it signals your program met NASP standards. Expect to document your graduate coursework and your 1,200-hour internship, and budget time for the paperwork before your first Florida school year starts.
School Psychologist Salary in Florida
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Florida pays school psychologists below the national median, and it is worth being upfront about that. The BLS May 2025 data puts the Florida median at $84,760, against a national median of $95,990. That is a premium of about negative 11.7%. The range runs from roughly $62,320 at the 10th percentile to $107,540 at the 90th, and the state employs about 2,020 school psychologists. Pay tracks the district salary schedule, the same step-and-column scale that pays teachers, so your number climbs predictably with experience and graduate credits rather than jumping with negotiation.
Two things soften the below-median headline. First, Florida has no state income tax, so an $84,760 salary here keeps more take-home pay than the same figure would in California, New York, or New Jersey. When you compare offers across states, run the after-tax math, not just the gross. Second, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro pays the most in Florida, with a median of $100,750, above the national number. If you train in South Florida and stay there, you can land near or above the national median while still paying zero state income tax. The trade-off is that Miami's cost of living is the highest in the state, so map salary against rent before you commit.
School Psychologists (BLS 19-3034)
National median: $95,990
Top metro: $100,750 (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL)
Clinical & Counseling Psychologists (private-practice comparison, BLS 19-3033)
National median: $100,580
Top metro: $92,500 (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL)
Florida School Psychology Job Market and Shortage
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
There are not enough school psychologists in Florida, and that is good news for your job prospects. NASP recommends one school psychologist for every 500 students. The Florida Association of School Psychologists reports the state sits closer to one per 2,000, roughly four times the recommended caseload. FASP's legislative platform pushes for recruitment incentives, paid internships, competitive salaries, and loan forgiveness precisely because districts cannot fill the seats they have.
Demand is driven by work that schools are legally required to do. Every special education eligibility decision rests on a psychoeducational assessment, and Florida's post-pandemic push to expand school-based mental health has only added to the caseload. School psychologists work for public school districts, charter networks, and county-level student services offices. The pull is strongest in the big growth metros, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orlando, and Tampa Bay, where enrollment keeps climbing. South Florida districts have responded by making internships paid, so your most expensive training year can come with a paycheck instead of more debt. Programs like FIU, USF, and FSU report strong placement into these districts.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). School psychologists employed full-time by a Florida public school district or county student services office qualify for federal PSLF, which forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying payments. Eligibility is based on your employer, not your job title.
Low public-university tuition. At roughly $370 to $400 a credit hour in resident graduate tuition, the State University System programs keep total borrowing low to begin with, which is the cheapest form of loan relief there is.
Paid internships. Several Florida districts pay their school psychology interns. Every district in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach tri-county area offers paid internships, and a share of Florida State's third-year internships are paid as well, so part of your training year comes with a paycheck rather than more debt.
Assistantships and funding. USF reports that all students in good standing currently receive university financial support, and FSU funds about 90% of second-year students with assistantships and tuition waivers. That funding is effectively loan avoidance.
How to Choose the Best School Psychology Program in Florida
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Almost every NASP-approved Florida program leads to the same FLDOE certification, so the real decision is about location, funding, and degree level. Here is how the programs sort out.
If you want the strongest funding at the specialist level: University of South Florida currently supports all students in good standing, and Florida State funds about 90% of second-year students with assistantships and tuition waivers.
If you want the South Florida job market: Florida International, Nova Southeastern, and Barry all sit inside the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach districts, where internships are paid and the Miami metro pays the highest median in the state ($100,750).
If you want an online or part-time option: Nova Southeastern offers a four-year PsyS track built for working professionals, with online coursework plus required on-campus residential institutes, a rare flexible option in school psychology.
If you want a flagship research university: the University of Florida runs both the EdS and an APA-accredited PhD, so you can start at the specialist level and continue into the doctorate without changing schools.
If you want the cheapest path: any State University System program (UF, USF, FSU, UCF, FIU) at roughly $370 to $400 a credit hour beats the private options on cost, before assistantships and waivers.
If you want a doctorate and a faster route to private practice: the APA-accredited PhDs at UF and USF open research and academic-medical roles and shorten the path to the Department of Health license.
If you live in Central Florida: UCF in Orlando trains students for the fast-growing Central Florida districts that are actively hiring, with a 74-credit-hour EdS and a two-semester public-school internship.
Related Pages
School Psychologist Career Guide
What school psychologists actually do day to day
School Psychologist Salary
Salary data by state, experience, and setting
School Psychology Programs by State
Browse school psychology programs in every state
School Psychology Programs in Georgia
NASP-approved programs in neighboring Georgia
School Psychology Programs in Alabama
NASP-approved programs in neighboring Alabama
Sources
- NASP: Program Approval & Accreditation List (Florida)
- Florida Department of Education: Rule 6A-4.0311, Certification in School Psychology (PK-12)
- Florida Department of Health, Board of Psychology: School Psychologist Licensing
- NASP: Florida State Credentialing Requirements
- NASP: Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) Eligibility
- Florida Association of School Psychologists (FASP): Training & Credentialing
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: School Psychologists (19-3034), May 2025
- Florida Board of Governors: 2024-2025 SUS Tuition and Fees Report