Program Overview
School Psychology, Ph.D.
The University of Alabama School Psychology Program is designed to provide exemplary graduate training in research and in the application of practice related to the learning, development, and mental health of children and youth, and their families. The doctoral degree in school psychology prepares students for direct school-based practice and for careers as faculty members, researchers, and practitioners.
Overview
The doctoral degree program in school psychology focuses on the provision of school psychology services that are based on a strong foundation of research. The school psychology doctoral degree program includes an integrated and sequential program of study with comprehensive coursework and supervised field experiences. Candidates participate in courses and seminars in assessment and data collection, interventions and decision making, prevention and consultation, professional school psychology, sociocultural foundations, psychological foundations, human development, educational foundations, statistics and research, and other areas.
Admissions
Prospective students for the doctoral program are encouraged to complete their applications by December 1 (preferred date) for admission the following fall semester. However, rolling applications will be accepted until all cohort positions are full.
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:
- Vita/resume
- A personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation consistent with goals of the program
Curricular Requirements
The following courses are required for the program:
- Data-Based Decision Making and Accountability:
- BSP 521: Cog Acad Assess (3 hours)
- BSP 523: Social-Behavioral Assessment (3 hours)
- Consultation, Intervention, and Prevention:
- BSP 632: Behavior Interventions (3 hours)
- BSP 633: Acad Interv Decision Making (3 hours)
- BSP 638: Consultation and Supervision (3 hours)
- Psychological and Diversity Factors:
- BEP 541: Learning and Cognition (3 hours)
- BEP 561: Social Cult Basis Behavr (3 hours)
- BEP 565: Personality & Social Dev (3 hours)
- BSP 601: Appl Pediatric Neurpsych (3 hours)
- BSP 660: Psychopathology (3 hours)
- HD 601: Advanced Child Development (3 hours)
- PY 650: Cognition and Learning (3 hours)
- PY 671: History/Systems In Psych (3 hours)
- Instructional and Schools/Systems Factors:
- SPE 500: Intro Exc Childr/Youth (3 hours)
- BEF 534: Multicultural Education (3 hours)
- CRD 569: Intro to Literacy Education (3 hours)
- Research and Program Evaluation:
- BER 540: Statistical Methods In Educ (3 hours)
- BER 558: Psychometric Theory (3 hours)
- BER 640: Adv Statistical Methods in Ed (3 hours)
- BER 645: Advanced Experimental Design (3 hours)
- BER 647: Exp Res Design: Single Case (3 hours)
- BSP 698: Non-Dissertatn Research (3 hours)
- Dissertation Research (BSP 699): 18 hours
- School Psychology Practice and Development:
- BSP 501: Prof Issues/ Ethics Sch Psych (3 hours)
- BSP 673: Research/Ethics Seminar (3 hours)
- BSP 580: Sch Based Pract Assessment (3 hours)
- BSP 683: Adv Sch Based Pract (3 hours)
- Electives: 6 hours
- Advanced Doctoral Practicum (BSP 696): 3-12 hours
- Doctoral Internship in School Psychology (BSP 688): 15-18 hours Total Hours: 126-138
Transfer Credit
The School Psychology Program has more stringent requirements than the Graduate School maximums for transfer credit for students who have completed previous graduate coursework. Generally, fewer courses will be approved for transfer credit than the Graduate School maximums. In some circumstances, a student with a previous master’s, EdS, or doctoral degree may be allowed to count some coursework from the previous degree.
Doctoral Plan of Study Requirement
The doctoral degree provides greater depth and breadth in graduate studies than the program’s EdS degree. The greater depth in our doctoral program is demonstrated in our extensive required coursework and field experiences for the 120+ credit doctoral degree.
Doctoral Elective Focus Areas
In addition to required coursework in the school psychology doctoral program, students should complete coursework and practicum experiences to focus on a specific area of practice and/or research. Each doctoral student is required to complete at least two additional courses in a specific individual focus area in which they wish to receive more preparation in knowledge and skills for practice and/or research.
Doctoral Qualifying and Comprehensive Exams
All students in the School Psychology Program are required to successfully complete written examinations before any degrees will be granted. The examinations are completed independently on a “take-home” basis and require students to integrate knowledge and skills obtained during coursework and other graduate education activities.
Fieldwork/Practicum/Internship Requirements
All students in the School Psychology Program are required to engage in several supervised, sequential, and organized field-based experiences, practica, and internships. Students engage in course-based clinical and field experiences during their first year in the program, formal practicum courses after the first year, and a final culminating internship at the conclusion of the program.
Admission to Candidacy Requirements
Students will advance to candidacy after completing coursework and successfully passing comprehensive exams.
Continuous Doctoral Research Hours Registration
Graduate School Policy on Continuous Doctoral Research Hours Registration.
Dissertation Requirements
All doctoral students are required to complete a research dissertation. University policies for dissertations are outlined in the Graduate Catalog. College of Education and department policies must be followed.
Time Limit for Degree Completion
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Student Progress Requirements
Each student is required to undergo a formal progress review during an annual progress evaluation at the end of every spring semester after entering the program.
Minimum Grade/GPA Policies in School Psychology Courses
Students enrolled in the School Psychology Program must maintain a grade of B or higher in all core school psychology courses. Students may be able to repeat a course if they earn a grade lower than a B.
Practica and Field Placement Policies
Addressing Concerns about Students in Field Placements, Practica, and Internships Field supervisors are asked to immediately report any concerns, issues, or suggestions to the student and to the university professor.
Program Dismissal
The student will have the right to meet with the program faculty and department chair. If the decision is to be that the student is dismissed from the program, the student will be informed in writing.
Additional Academic and Program Requirements
Fingerprinting/Background Check
The UA College of Education requires that all students must clear a fingerprinting/background check prior to field experiences.
Non-Dissertation Research
Doctoral students are required to participate in and conduct research. Faculty members work closely with doctoral students to help them complete their research requirements.
National School Psychology Examination and State Credentialing Exams
According to UA College of Education and Alabama Department of Education policy, all doctoral students are required to take the National School Psychology Examination offered as a Praxis subject assessment by ETS.
Certification
Requirements for certification and licensure in school psychology vary from state to state. Students are expected to determine the requirements in the state or states in which they are interested in practicing before beginning the program.
Academic Misconduct
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
The School Psychology Program faculty members and field placement agencies recognize that major emergencies can happen for some students and that they may have a short or long-term impact on a student’s participation across program activities during a semester.
Academic Grievances Information
The Department of Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methods, and Counseling has procedures by which students may resolve any type of issue or concern.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation
Information on the Application for Graduation.