Program Requirements
Complete 73 credits from 28 courses including six psychological foundation courses; eight school psychology, systems change, and social justice courses; eight prevention, assessment, and intervention courses, six research courses, and one teaching course.
Doctoral candidacy: Successful completion of a qualifying paper, a critical and synthetic review of a focused body of literature in the area in which each student plans to complete the dissertation.
Dissertation: Compose and defend a dissertation based on original empirical research that makes a substantive contribution to the knowledge base in school psychology. It is usually completed by the end of the fifth or sixth year, although students are strongly encouraged to complete the dissertation prior to the internship year.
Practicum and internship: Participate in at least two semesters of practicum and complete a full year internship. Four semesters of practicum are strongly encouraged.
Research team: Participate in faculty-led research team for five semesters. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in research teams led by multiple faculty members to obtain diverse experiences and hone research skills. Research teams are composed of faculty mentors and other graduate students who collaborate on research projects, presentations, and papers. Through these activities, students are expected to contribute to scholarly presentations and publications.
Teaching: Co-teach at least one semester to build skills in disseminating research and practice and delivering university instruction. To prepare for this experience, students complete the course Teaching in Counseling and School Psychology in addition to an opportunity to serve as a Teaching Assistant and when available a course instructor.
Students who enter with a master’s degree in school psychology or a related field will have a reduction in required course credits to the extent their master’s level courses match required courses.
Statute of limitations: Eight years.
