Ph.D. School Psychology
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Our 111-credit Ph.D. in School Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Program curriculum includes coursework, practicum, internship, and dissertation. Completion of this program leads to a M.S.Ed., a Ph.D., Certification in School Psychology by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and prepares graduates to apply for licensure through Pennsylvania's State Board of Psychology.
In addition to practicing psychology in schools, child clinics, and child service agencies, Ph.D. School Psychology graduates can become licensed for the independent practice of psychology and work as university faculty. Graduates often seek employment in settings where research skills are required. Upon completing the degree program and successfully passing of the Praxis School Psychology Exam, graduates may be credentialed as Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP).
Our Ph.D. School Psychology program at Duquesne University is designed to be consistent with the scientist-practitioner model of training. This training model and curriculum encourages future school psychologists to be both producers and consumers of science, allowing empirical research to drive one's professional practice, and allowing ongoing clinical experiences to shape future research questions.
You are also trained to become professional psychologists with foundational knowledge and skills regarding psychological research, theory, and evidence-based practices. From the very first semester of study, you are involved in both on-campus research teams and real-world practicum experiences allowing for the opportunities to engage in both the scientist and practitioner roles throughout the program.
Ph.D. School Psychology Program Overview (.pdf)
Learn about the Ph.D. School Psychology Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data (.pdf)
Questions related to accreditation of the program should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-336-5979
apaaccred@apa.org
Hear from an alum
Program Information
Completion of this program leads to a M.S.Ed., a Ph.D., Certification in School Psychology by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and prepares graduates to apply for licensure through Pennsylvania's State Board of Psychology.
Curriculum
Year 1 - Fall
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 505 Role and Function of School Psychologists | 3 |
| GPSY 512 Psychological Testing | 3 |
| GPSY 619 Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| GPSY 692 Individual Testing | 3 |
| GPSY 810 Directed Research | 1 |
Year 1 - Spring
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 623 Behavioral Interventions | 3 |
| GPSY 625 Academic Interventions | 3 |
| GREV 610 Educational Statistics II | 3 |
| GPSY 511 Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| GPSY 810 Directed Research | 1 |
Year 1 - Summer
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 850 History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| GCNE 572 Child and Adolescent Counseling | 3 |
Year 2 - Fall
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 680 Consultation and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| GPSY 618 Personality Assessment for Intervention | 3 |
| GPSY 691 Psychotherapy with Child and Adolescents | 3 |
| GPSY 691L School Psychology Practicum I | 1 |
| GPSY 810 Directed Research | 1 |
Year 2 - Spring
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 695 Child Neuropsychology | 3 |
| GPSY 690 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology | 3 |
| GREV 701 Research Methods and Design | 3 |
| GPSY 693L School Psychology Practicum II | 1 |
| GPSY 810 Directed Research | 1 |
Year 2 - Summer
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 815 Ethics in School Psychology | 3 |
Year 3 - Fall
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 705 Single Subject Methods for School Psychologists | 3 |
| GPSY 614 Organizational Consultation and Supervision for School Psychologists | 3 |
| GREV 611 Statistics III | 3 |
| GPSY 813 Professional Seminar: Dissertation Research | 1 |
| GPSY 812L Advanced Doctoral Practicum I | 2 |
| GPSY 810 Directed Research | 1 |
Year 3 - Spring
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 811 Biological Basis of Behavior | 3 |
| GPSY 612 Social Psychology * | 3 |
| GPSY 813 Professional Seminar: Dissertation Research | 1 |
| GPSY 812L Advanced Doctoral Practicum II | 2 |
| GPSY 810 Directed Research 1 | 1 |
* GREV 612 only offered every other spring. If not offered may be taken in spring year 4. Another research elective, approved by the student's advisor, may be taken in place of GREV 612. Not taking GREV 612 (or equivalent) will reduce semester credit load by 3 credits.
Year 4 - Fall
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GESL 501 Helping English Language Learners in Mainstream Classes | 3 |
| GSPE 706 Scholarship and Teaching at the University | 3 |
| GPSY 808 Elective Option - Early Childhood: Assessment and Intervention* | 3 |
| GPSY 810 Directed Research | 1 |
| GPSY 812L Advanced Doctoral Practicum I | 1 |
* Students must select ONE of the following three options (3 credit hour): GPSY 808: Early Childhood Assessment and Intervention (offered each fall), GPSY 804: Child Violence in Schools (offered each spring), or an elective approved by the student's advisor. The elective can be taken any time in the third and fourth years of study. Not taking GPSY 808 (or equivalent) will reduce the semester credit load by 3 credits.
Year 4 - Spring
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 807 Multicultural Psychology | 3 |
| GPSY 612 Social Psychology | 3 |
| GREV 612* Statistics IV Statistical Modeling (offered every other year) | 3 |
| GPSY 804** Elective Option - Child Violence in Schools | 3 |
| GPSY 810 Directed Research | 1 |
| GPSY 812L Advanced Doctoral Practicum II | 1 |
* GREV 612 only offered every other spring. If not offered may be taken in spring year 3. Another research elective, approved by the student's advisor, may be taken in place of GREV 612. Not taking GREV 612 (or equivalent) will reduce semester credit load by 3 credits.
** Students must select ONE of the following three options (3 credit hour): GPSY 804: Child Violence in Schools (offered each spring), GPSY 808: Early Childhood Assessment and Intervention (offered each fall), or an elective approved by the student's advisor. The elective can be taken any time in the third and fourth years of study. Not taking GPSY 804 (or equivalent) will reduce semester credit load by 3 credits.redits do not need to be taken in the suggested semester. Students must register for a total of 6 dissertation credits (GPSY 906) to be eligible for graduation.
Year 5 - Fall
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 903 School Psychology Doctoral Internship Seminar I | 3 |
| GPSY 901 School Psychology Doctoral Internship I | 1 |
| GPSY 906* Dissertation | 3 |
* Dissertation credits do not need to be taken in the suggested semester. Students must register for a total of 6 dissertation credits (GPSY 906) to be eligible for graduation.
Year 5 - Spring
| Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| GPSY 904 School Psychology Doctoral Internship Seminar II | 3 |
| GPSY 902 School Psychology Doctoral Internship II | 1 |
| GPSY 906* Dissertation | 3 |
* Dissertation credits do not need to be taken in the suggested semester. Students must register for a total of 6 dissertation credits (GPSY 906) to be eligible for graduation.Note: GPSY 509 (Independent Study), GPSY 812L (Doctoral Practicum), and GPSY 906 (Doctoral Dissertation) have separate sections for individual faculty members. Be sure to register for the proper faculty member
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