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Project HOPE-SP

Miami-Dade's communities are unlike any other. Their school psychologists should be too. Project HOPE-SP (Holistic Opportunities for Preparation and Excellence in School Psychology) partners with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to fund and prepare FIU Educational Specialist (EdS) in School Psychology graduates as credentialed school psychologists — delivering real mental health support where it's needed most, from early intervention to crisis response.

The selection process emphasizes a genuine interest in becoming a school psychology practitioner with a specialized focus in mental health supports. Fellows gain hands-on experience supporting the real students and communities across Miami-Dade.

Program

Fellows complete FIU's EdS in School Psychology (73 credit hours), including a 300-hour practicum and a 1,200-hour full-time internship in M-DCPS. Most courses are offered in person at 5 p.m. on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, with some hybrid and online options. Fellows must be incoming or current graduate students enrolled part- or full-time.

Program features

  • Training in mental health interventions (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Trauma in Schools)
  • Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS)
  • Crisis prevention, response, and intervention
  • Collaborative research projects and in-service presentations
  • Online professional development seminars
  • Conference presentation preparation

Scholarship

Fellows receive financial support throughout their program enrollment, including Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, renewable each year upon satisfactory academic progress.

Upon exiting the program, all scholars receiving scholarships through this project must demonstrate commitment to working in M-DCPS or high need school districts.  Project personnel will also track employment outcomes over the course of the project and beyond.

  • Support Through FIU

    Specifically, fellows will receive:

    • Paid tuition support for up to 12 credit hours per semester ($455.64 per credit hour).
    • Mentorship by project co-directors
    • Partially paid field practicum (about $3,000)
  • Support Through Miami-Dade Public Schools

    Through M-DCPS, scholars are eligible to receive:

    • Mentorship and supervision by dedicated supervisors
    • Paid internship (about $40,000, may vary each year)

Apply

The selection process emphasizes interest in becoming a school psychologist practitioner with a specialized focus in mental health supports. Prospective applicants may consider applying for Fall 2027 (Cohort 2) or Fall 2028 (Cohort 3).

Steps

1. Apply to the EdS in School Psychology program by January 15

2. Complete the online HOPE-SP application

3. Selected applicants will be invited for interviews in February

4. Sign up for the mailing list to receive updates

Questions? Contact Dr. Andy Pham via email at avpham@fiu.edu.