What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Minimum of 74 semester hours (68 semester hours for the B.A.-to-Ph.D. students)

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: December 1
  • Spring: Does Not Admit
  • Summer: Does Not Admit

School Psychology, Ph.D.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Email: CPSAdmissions@gsu.edu
Phone: 404-413-8200

The School Psychology Doctoral Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Validation can be attested by contacting the APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; telephone 202-336-5979; email: apaaccred@apa.org.

Completion of the doctoral program contributes to students’ eligibility to become licensed and practice as a psychologist. The Ph.D. in school psychology is designed for students who want to pursue careers as university professors, researchers, clinicians, school-based practitioners or educational leaders. As one of the first APA-accredited school psychology programs in the nation, our program has an established record of educating highly skilled school psychologists. Our graduates deliver mental health and educational services to children and adolescents, families and educators in diverse ethnic, cultural and geographic settings.

  • APA accredited and National Association of School Psychologists approved
  • Nationally known faculty (APA-accredited and National Association of School Psychologist-approved)
  • Recognized among the top APA-accredited programs in research productivity
  • Consistent record of external funding from state and federal research grants and contracts
  • Graduates are practitioners, administrators, researchers, university professors and national leaders in school psychology
  • Our program is committed to providing students with opportunities to publish articles and book chapters, present research at national and regional conferences and serve on state and national task forces/committees
  • Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data

VIEW CATALOG INFORMATION

Program Highlights

Classroom Experience

The school psychology Ph.D. program curriculum is oriented toward developing highly skilled practitioners who will promote the academic and social development of children and adolescents by delivering school psychology services. Students acquire knowledge and skills particularly salient in school settings (for example, assessment, consultation, prevention/intervention). Doctoral students also take coursework to build their expertise in basic research methodologies, measurement and psychometric theories, and various assessment and evaluation strategies.

Research Focus and Experience

Doctoral students work to become proficient practitioners and researchers. Advanced students refine their knowledge and skills in assessment, prevention/intervention, and consultation. Doctoral-level school psychology students are prepared to be producers of research. They learn to evaluate empirical studies critically, conduct original research and contribute to knowledge in school psychology through scholarly publications and presentations.

In our program, student and faculty research often focuses on serving under-represented populations through prevention and intervention at the individual, institutional, and community levels. Our program has a strong social justice emphasis within a rigorous academic environment.

Rankings

Best Counseling Degrees badgeSchool Psychology ranked 5th in the nation among APA-accredited doctoral programs.

The school psychology program is recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists 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.

Program Details

Admissions Requirements

When applying to the School Psychology, Ph.D. program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application)
  • Resume (upload with the application)
  • Writing Sample (cannot be goals statement; upload with the application)
  • Three Letters of Recommendation (identify your recommender on the application)
  • Must have bachelor’s in psychology, education, or related field or master’s in area related to school psychology
  • Official Transcript: graduate degree for admission (minimum 2.50 undergraduate GPA if no master’s)
    • submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to gradapplytranscripts@gsu.edu or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Graduate Admissions | P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302
  • GRE scores: An official score on the Graduate Record Examination General Test is required for admission to Ph.D. programs in the College of Education and Human Development. While it is important to note that GRE scores are used along with other criteria established by departments and programs when determining admission, a score of 155 or higher on the verbal section and 151 or higher on the quantitative section will make the application more competitive
    • institution code 5251
    • scores may not be more than five years old at time of application

Please Note:
Interviews will be conducted by department faculty — you will be notified if you are selected for an interview.

The School Psychology Ph.D. program prepares psychologists for licensure as applied psychologists and focuses on applying psychological knowledge and skills to school-related problems. The American Psychological Association accredits the program. Completing a bachelor’s degree within a major in psychology, education, or a related field or a master’s degree in an area related to school psychology is required for admission to the program.

The program consists of a core area, major area and dissertation totaling a minimum of 74 credit hours (68 credit hours for B.A. to Ph.D. students).

The doctoral core area consists of 18 credit hours (12 credit hours for B.A. to Ph.D. students), with 15 credit hours comprised of research coursework and three credit hours of social foundation of education and psychology of learning coursework.

The doctoral major area requires 41 credit hours, including a 2000-hour predoctoral internship in school psychology.

The dissertation takes 15 credits.

For more information and course listings, view the catalog listing for School Psychology, Ph.D.

Also, view the Additional Information tab for the student handbook and other information.

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, from assistantships to fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

Student Resources

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 of 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.

 

Faculty

Andy Roach, Program Coordinator
Tamika La Salle
Joel Meyers
Catherine Perkins
Kim Robinson
Chavez Phelps
Kristen Varjas

Description

Careers

Graduates have careers in academic and research settings, practice as professional (licensed) psychologists and certified school-based practitioners and impact policy, practice and administration as leaders and highly competent professionals.

Learn more about Georgia State’s School Psychology programs by reading our Fall 2022 Newsletter.

Contacts

Program Coordinator
Andrew Roach
aroach@gsu.edu

Counseling and Psychological Services
cpsadmissions@gsu.edu
404-413-8200

Mailing Address & Office Location
Counseling and Psychological Services
College of Education & Human Development
Room 950
30 Pryor St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

30 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.

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