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Information Concerning Education/Training Outcomes for Prospective Doctoral Students in School Psychology
School Psychology Faculty: Steve Truscott, Psy.D., Program Coordinator, Randy Kamphaus, Ph.D., Catherine Perkins, Ph.D., Joel Meyers, Ph.D., Joseph Hill, Ph.D. & Kris Varjas, Psy.D.
NOTE: Application Deadlines have changed. New deadline for Ph.D. is Nov 15.
The school psychology program at Georgia State University is recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) as demonstrating a commitment to diversity issues through the recruitment and retention of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, multicultural curricular emphasis, faculty members involved in multicultural research and outreach, and participation in related research and training grants. http://www.nasponline.org/resources/culturalcompetence/multprograms.aspx
School Psychology is an applied specialty within the general field of professional psychology. The school psychology doctoral program prepares students for professional practice as a school psychologist within the standards of professional competence specified by the American Psychological Association.
The school psychology program emphasizes training for positions that apply psychological knowledge and skills to school-related problems, including:
Evaluation of individual student differences associated with special problems in learning or adjustment within the school, home, or community
School psychologists practice in the public and private schools, School-based health centers, Clinics and hospitals, Private practice, Universities and Community and State agencies, Research and development activities in education and child development and other institutions. This is an innovative program that seeks to develop and amplify the role of the school psychologist beyond their traditional roles and functions. The Georgia State University program capitalizes on unique faculty strengths in the university and training opportunities in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
The school psychology program as Georgia State University has been accredited by APA since 1979, making it one of the earliest approved programs in the United States.
Bachelor's to Ph.D. program
If an applicant holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, education, or a related field, he or she can apply to the Ph.D. program in school psychology. Students pursuing the bachelor's to Ph.D. program of study will complete all Master of Education and Specialists in Education prerequisites before beginning the Ph.D. program of study.
Students normally enter the doctoral program in school psychology after completion of requirements for both the Master or Education and the Specialist in Education (sixth-year certificate as associate school psychologist) degrees. However, students lacking such certification, but holding the master's degree in a related field, may be admitted to the program with the provision that sixth-year certification (entry level for Georgia Department of Education state certification as associate school psychologist) is attained promptly.
Ideally, planning for the integration of research training and professional skills training should begin as early as possible for the student who intends to pursue a doctorate. Therefore, students in the M. Ed. or Ed. S. program who anticipate application to the doctoral program should seek faculty advisement toward this goal early in their careers.
Program of Study
A. Core Area (18; 12 for B.A.-to-Ph.D. students)
The Core Area consists of 15 semester hours of research coursework and 3 semester hours of Social Foundation of Education and Psychology of Learning coursework.
Research Core (15 hours)
Choose one course (3):
EPRS 8500 Qualitative/Interpretive Research in Education (3)
EPRS 8530 Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education (3)
Required (12):
A two course sequence (6 hours) in research methodology (for specific tracks/courses: http://education.gsu.edu/main/phd_requirement.htm)
Two courses (6 hours) in advanced research methods as identified by the Doctoral Advisory Committee
Social Foundations of Education and Psychology of Learning course (3):
EPY 8220 Advanced Developmental Psychology: Personality and Socialization (3) or another course from the Social Foundations of Education and Psychology of Learning as identified by the Doctoral Advisory Committee.
B. Major Area (Required: 38; 35 for B.A.-to-Ph.D. students)
The major area of requirements complete the basic body of knowledge for applied professional practice as a school psychologist, building upon the foundation acquired at earlier graduate levels school psychology. A minimum of credits must be earned in the doctoral major, and these must include the courses listed below. Content for some of the required courses listed below may have been obtained in the master's or Ed.S. program prior to admission to the doctoral program. In such cases, appropriate substitutions and/or credit for prior coursework, may be made with approval of the student's doctoral advisory committee. Students who have prior coursework that is judged by the advisory committee to meet some of these course requirements must earn a minimum of 38 semester hours at Georgia State University to complete the major area of the doctoral program.
CPS 8350 Biopsychology and Medication (3)
CPS 8640 Administration and Supervision in Pupil Personnel Services (3)
CPS 8760 Advanced Topical Seminar in School Psychology (9; 6 for B.A.-to-Ph.D.) [topics rotate; Advanced Topical Seminar taken as part of the Ed.S. program may be counted towards this requirement.]
CPS 9680 Doctoral Internship (9)
CPS 9760 School Psychology Research Seminar (3-9) [Must be taken at three times (minimum total = 9 credits). Student must maintain continuous enrollment until doctoral candidacy is reached.]
CPS 9920 Research and Publication (2)
PSYC 8500 History of Psychology (3)
Note: CPS 8680 Internship in School Psychology is an Ed.S.-level internship that serves as the doctoral practicum requirement. The student's doctoral advisory committee will determine whether the student has completed a comparable course in a prior graduate work and has sufficient skills and field experience to meet the criteria for this doctoral practicum. Based on input from the doctoral advisory committee, some students may be required to enroll in an additional practicum experience.
C. Dissertation (15)
Required (15):
CPS 9990 Dissertation (15)
Program total: minimum of 71 semester hours (62 semester hours for B.A.-to-Ph.D.)
For full course information see Current Handbook.