School Psychology, Ph.D.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 102 hours
CMU's School Psychology Doctoral program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA*) and is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
The Doctor of Philosophy curriculum in School Psychology is designed to extend the training of the specialist level school psychologist so that he or she is prepared to serve educational systems and the larger community. The program prepares school psychologists who are flexible enough to assume a variety of roles in the delivery of mental health services; who can assume a leadership role in the development of comprehensive and effective educational and psychological services to children, families, and schools; and who are able to supervise, coordinate, and direct the activities of others in the delivery of school psychological services.
The program of study typically includes four years of intensive academic preparation and field experience plus a one-year, full-time internship. Students must successfully complete three (3) years of graduate study. At least 600 hours of supervised experience shall be in a school setting. The curriculum is designed to reflect recent developments in school psychology.
Students are accepted into the program on a full-time basis, and normal progress through the program requires a course load of about 12 credit hours per semester. Students are expected to take at least 6 credit hours per semester. For at least one year of the program, students must be in full-time residence at Central Michigan University.
*Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 1st Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Phone: 202-336-5979; e-mail: appaaccred@apa.org; Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Admission Requirement Snapshot
GPA: 3.0
Entrance Exam: GRE
Application Deadline: December 15 (Fall)
See Admission Requirement Details Below
Admission
Admission is competitive with approximately 8 to 10 students accepted each year (Specialist and Doctoral).
Minimum admission requirements include an undergraduate major in psychology or at least 15 semester hours of psychology and a 3.0 overall grade point average. A background in scientific psychology and basic research methodology including statistics and experimental psychology is strongly weighted to assure that students will be conversant with research. Students who do not meet the required 15 semester hours of basic psychology courses, but appear qualified for doctoral study, are required to remedy deficiencies as part of their initial coursework. The doctoral admissions committee will identify what coursework is necessary and inform the student about remediation.
In addition to grades and GRE scores (taken within five years of application), the doctoral admissions committee is very attentive to letters of recommendation, personal statements, and relevant professional experiences. Work history, professional goals, capacity for relating to and working with other people, emotional maturity and stability, and motivation also are considered. GRE scores are viewed as one predictor of the likelihood of success in graduate study. Consequently, for applicants who already hold a graduate degree in school psychology or a related field, greater weight is given to prior graduate school performance than GRE scores.
Program Requirements
Progress through the program is based upon satisfactory grades (a B average overall; a B or better in all assessment, intervention, consultation, practica, and internship courses; and a B- or better in all other classes) and satisfactory evaluations of pre-professional functioning (e.g., appropriate interpersonal skills, ethical and professional conduct). Serious and persistent difficulties in pre-professional functioning may result in dismissal from the program (See Student Handbook, School Psychology Program).
Successful completion of the thesis and comprehensive exam and approval of the dissertation proposal are required before taking the internship. The Ph.D. degree will be awarded upon successful completion of coursework, a thesis, a doctoral dissertation, and an internship.
Students entering with a BA/BS degree will be required to complete 106 credit hours. Those entering with an MA/MS degree in School Psychology will be required to complete approximately 70 graduate hours. Students are required to complete at least two (2) years of academic training at Central Michigan University. Courses are offered in accordance with a planned sequence designed to meet individual needs in terms of professional goals, academic background, and attained skills of each candidate.
Program Requirements
Required Courses I (9 hours)
| PSY 609 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 630 | Advanced Social Psychology | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 687 | Physiological Foundations | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses II (3 hours)
Human Development
| PSY 624 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses III (3 hours)
Cognitive and Affective Aspects of Behavior
Select one of the following:
Required Courses IV (3 hours)
Multicultural Issues
| PSY 850 | Ethnic and Minority Issues in Therapy | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses V (6 hours)
Educational Foundations
| PSY 677 | Assessment and Development of Academic Skills II | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 760 | Seminar A: School Services | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses VI (28 hours)
Assessment and Intervention
| PSY 562 | Therapeutic Intervention: Foundations | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 605 | Assessment of Affective and Behavioral Disorders of Children and Youth | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 655 | Introduction to Intelligence Testing | 2(2-2) |
| PSY 656 | Advanced Intellectual Assessment | 2(2-2) |
| PSY 662 | Advanced Therapeutic Interventions | 3(3-1) |
| PSY 667 | Assessment and Development of Academic Skills I | 3(3-1) |
| PSY 751 | Psychopathology | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 766 | Seminar: Consultation Skills | 3(Spec) |
| PSY 767 | Assessment and Intervention for Developmental Disabilities | 3(3-1) |
| PSY 780 | Behavior Therapy | 3(2-2) |
Required Courses VII (9 hours)
Methods and Statistics Courses
Select PSY 611 and PSY 612, plus one of PSY 571, PSY 613, or PSY 818 for a total of 9 hours:
| PSY 571 | Research Methods in Behavior Analysis | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 611 | Research Design | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 612 | Applied Multiple Regression and Correlation | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 613 | Multivariate and Correlational Methods | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 818 | Program Evaluation | 3(Spec) |
Required Courses VIII (3 hours)
Ethics
| PSY 765 | Seminar: Ethics and Professional Issues | 3(3-0) |
Thesis (6 hours)
Required Experience-Based Courses (14 hours)
| PSY 790 | Practicum I A: Professional Services | 3(Spec) |
| PSY 791 | Practicum I B: Professional Services | 3(Spec) |
| PSY 890 | Practicum II A: Professional Services | 3(Spec) |
| PSY 891 | Practicum II B: Professional Services | 3(Spec) |
| PSY 990 | Internship A: Professional Services | 1-6(Spec) |
| PSY 991 | Internship B: Professional Services | 1-6(Spec) |
Doctoral Dissertation (12 hours)
| PSY 898 | Doctoral Dissertation: Design | 1-12(Spec) |
| PSY 899 | Doctoral Dissertation: Implementation | 1-12(Spec) |
Electives (6 hours)
Select in consultation with advisor.
Total: 102 semester hours