Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 99 for those who complete an internship through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC); 102 for those who complete a non-APPIC internship
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree with the Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis: 105 for those who complete an APPIC internship; 108 for those who complete a non-APPIC internship
Required Courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ABA 5302 | Effective Teaching Strategies and Academic Interventions | 3 |
| ABA 5303 | Ethical and Legal Issues | 3 |
| or SPSY 5303 | Ethical and Legal Issues | |
| CPSY 5526 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| or AOD 5524 | Sociocultural Dynamics | |
| EDUC 8404 | Quantitative Analysis, Part I | 3 |
| EDUC 8405 | Quantitative Analysis, Part II | 3 |
| EPSY 5529 | Tests and Measurements | 3 |
| EPSY 5561 | Development and Learning Over the Lifespan | 3 |
| EPSY 8627 | Introduction to Research Design and Methods | 3 |
| SPSY 5667 | Introduction to Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| SPSY 5671 | Integrative Assessment | 3 |
| SPSY 5674 | Social and Emotional Aspects of Behavior and Assessment | 3 |
| SPSY 5676 | Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| SPSY 5771 | Biological Aspects of Behavior | 3 |
| SPSY 8773 | Developmental Psychopathology and Low Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
| SPSY 8776 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| SPSY 8777 | Theories and Techniques of Counseling for Youth | 3 |
| SPSY 9487 | Professional Issues and Practicum (2 terms) | 6 |
| SPSY 9488 | Advanced Practicum in School Psychology (6 terms) | 6 |
| SPSY 9551 | Consultation | 3 |
| SPSY 9687 | Clinical Supervision Seminar in School Psychology | 6 |
| SPSY 9688 | Psychoeducational Clinic (2 terms) | 6 |
| SPSY 9876 | Supervision of Psychological Services | 3 |
| SPSY 9885 | Internship in School Psychology 1 | 6-9 |
| Advanced Statistics Course 2 | 3 | |
| Electives OR Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration Courses 3 | 6-12 | |
| Research Courses 4 | 6 | |
EDUC 9994 | Preliminary Examination Preparation | |
EDUC 9998 | Dissertation Proposal Design | |
SPSY 9999 | Doctoral Dissertation | |
| Total Credit Hours | 99-108 | |
- 1
Students who undertake an internship through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) complete 6 credits of SPSY 9885, while those who complete a non-APPIC internship must take 9 credits of SPSY 9885.
- 2
Students select their statistics course in consultation with their academic advisor.
- 3
If students opt to take electives for a total of 6 credits, they select their two electives in consultation with their academic advisor. If students opt to pursue a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis, they complete the 12 credits of coursework identified below.
- 4
Of the 6 credits overall, a minimum of 2 credits of SPSY 9999 must be taken.
Optional Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
The optional 12-credit concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis allows students to meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s educational requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA):
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ABA 5304 | Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 5305 | Single Subject Research Design | 3 |
| ABA 5306 | Organizational Behavior Management - OBM | 3 |
| or PSY 8610 | Topical Seminar in Organizational-Social | |
| ABA 8787 | Seminar on Verbal Behavior | 3 |
Internship: An internship with a minimum of 1,500 hours must be completed in an approved setting. A minimum of 600 hours must be in a school setting. The internship can be full-time for a year or half-time over two years.
Culminating Events:
Portfolio Review:
During the internship year, students must submit a portfolio of professional work for review by the advisor.
Preliminary Examination:
The preliminary examination is an essay examination that covers key areas of Psychology and School Psychology to determine the student's competence and ability to explain key concepts. Four areas are covered:
- Scientific Psychology
- Consultation and Intervention
- Diagnosis and Remediation
- Role/Function and Ethical/Legal Considerations
The preliminary examination is taken after completion of all academic subjects except for the internship. It is offered over two days, with each section of the examination requiring three hours. The exam is administered and proctored at a time determined by the College of Education and Human Development.
All School Psychology faculty participate in writing the exam by submitting questions and by evaluating the written exam. A passing grade in all four areas is required to pass the exam.
Proposal with Oral Defense:
The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. Minimally, the proposal should contain the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; a survey and review of the literature to a sufficient degree to provide the reader with enough information to understand why the research is being conducted; a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem; and a proposed timeline for completing the dissertation. The Doctoral Advisory Committee must approve the student's proposal, which is presented at a formal proposal defense.
Internship Evaluation:
The internship experience is evaluated for successful completion.
Dissertation with Oral Defense:
The doctoral dissertation is an original piece of scholarship that makes a significant contribution to the field of School Psychology. A majority of the dissertations in the program are empirical, typically using statistical analysis as the means of completing the data collection process. Other types of scholarship (e.g., those utilizing more qualitative approaches or those employing theoretical or philosophical analysis of educational issues) may be acceptable. A successful dissertation will be publishable in a refereed journal.
The Doctoral Advisory Committee oversees all aspects of the student's dissertation from the proposal to the oral defense. It is composed of three members of the Graduate Faculty. A member of the School Psychology faculty typically chairs the committee. At least one faculty member from outside the program must be on the committee. The student chooses their committee in consultation with the selected chair. A student may petition for a change of chairperson or member of the Doctoral Advisory Committee. This petition must be approved by the Department Chair and by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies. Complete details about the dissertation process are available in the College of Education and Human Development Dissertation Handbook, which is available from the Dean's office.
The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. It is composed of the three members of the Doctoral Advisory Committee plus one additional faculty member, i.e., an outside examiner. One member may be assigned by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies. The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the dissertation and the student's ability to defend it. The committee votes to pass or fail the dissertation. The outcome of the defense is determined by majority vote.
Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation must confirm a date and time with the Dissertation Examining Committee. Notification of the date and time must then be submitted on the appropriate College form to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies no less than 3 weeks prior to the oral defense. The announcement of the oral defense is sent by the Associate Dean to the Graduate School no less than 10 days prior to the defense. A copy of the announcement is also sent to each member of the Dissertation Examining Committee and is posted on the bulletin board in the Office of Student Services of the College of Education and Human Development.