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School Psychology Doctor of Philosophy Program

Accredited by the American Psychological Association Committee on Accreditation
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, 202-336-5979  

Information Concerning Education/Training Outcomes for Prospective Doctoral Students in School Psychology

School Psychology Faculty:  Kris Varjas, Psy.D - Program Coordinator., Randy Kamphaus, Ph.D., Catherine Cadenhead, Ph.D., Joel Meyers, Ph.D., Joseph Hill, Ph.D., Steve Truscott, Ph.D., Andrew Roach, Ph.D. 

NOTE: Application Deadlines have changed. New deadline for Ph.D.  is Nov 15.
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

  • Alleviation of individual student learning and/or behavioral problems, through therapeutic intervention with children and their families, as well as through school program planning
  • Contribution to curriculum and instructional practice through application of psychological principles
  • Participation in pre-service and in-service training of teachers and parents
  • Contributions through research and investigation of problems related to the psychology of educational practice and development of children and adolescents.

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 2009-2010
A. Core Area (18; 12 for B.A. to Ph.D. Students)
The students must meet all general core area requirements.

B. Major Area (37; 34 for B.A. to Ph.D. Students)
Required:
CPS 8350 Biopsychology and Medication (3)
CPS 8640 Administration and Supervision in Pupil Personnel Services (3)
CPS 8760 Advanced Topical Seminar in School Psychology (6-9) [topics rotate; students must take course three times (for 9 credits) under the Major Area. Course may be taken a fourth time (for 3 more credits) under the Cognate Area.][3 credits of Advanced Topical Seminar taken as part of the Ed.S. program may be counted toward  the total requirement.]
CPS 9680 Doctoral Internship (9)
CPS 9760 School Psychology Research Seminar (3-9) [Must be taken three times (minimum total = 9 credits). Student must maintain continuous enrollment until doctoral candidacy is reached.]
CPS 9920 Research and Publication (4)

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. Cognate Area (18)
Required (6):
CPS 8760 Advanced Topical Seminar in School Psychology (3)
PSYC 8500 History of Psychology (3)

Electives (12):
Examples of cognates designed for previous graduates include: ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity; learning disabilities; prevention/intervention of social and emotional problems; play therapy; neuropsychology; organizational consultation; and school administration and supervision.

D. Dissertation (9)
Required (9):
CPS 9990 Dissertation (9)

Program total: minimum of 82 (73 for B.A. to Ph.D. students) semester hours

For full course information see Current Handbook.