Program Overview

School Psychology - Ph.D.

Overview

The School Psychology Ph.D. program prepares students for a professional career in school psychology with a focus on improving children's academic performance, social-emotional development, mental health, and overall well-being.

Admissions

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.000 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale (minimum 3.500 GPA is recommended)
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Goal statement
• Sample of written work
• School Psychology Supplemental Data Form (online document)
• Questions in Anticipation of Licensure form
• Two letters of recommendation
• Interview
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Coursework

• Major Requirements:
  • PSYC 70413: COGNITIVE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY (3)
  • PSYC 70615: SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT (3)
  • PSYC 70950: HISTORY AND CONTEMPORARY SYSTEMS (3)
  • PSYC 71054: LEARNING AND CONDITIONING (3)
  • PSYC 71580: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
  • PSYC 71651: QUANTITATIVE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS I (3)
  • PSYC 71654: QUANTITATIVE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS II (3)
  • RMS 85516: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN (3)
  • SPSY 77892: ADVANCED PRACTICUM IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY (6)
  • SPSY 77998: INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY (4)
  • SPSY 80090: DOCTORAL RESIDENCY SEMINAR (3)
  • SPSY 87987: PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
  • SPSY 87992: DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY (12)
  • SPSY 87998: RESEARCH SEMINAR IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
  • Psychology (PSYC) Elective (3)
• Culminating Requirement:
  • SPSY 80199: DISSERTATION I (30)

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000

Candidacy

Once the student has successfully completed and orally defended their comprehensive exams, they are recommended for doctoral candidacy in line with all other program and college requirements.

Licensure Information

Candidates seeking School Psychologist licensure are required to pass the ETS Praxis II School Psychologist test or the domain-specific School Psychology Ohio Assessment for Educators test.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate adequate knowledge and skills associated with both the National Association of School Psychologists' Domains of School Psychology Training and Practice and those domains related to advanced psychological foundations knowledge and research skills as identified by the American Psychological Association (APA).
2. Demonstrate an appropriate level of professional deportment.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.