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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

Application Deadline: January 15 (Fall)

See Admission Requirement Details Below

Admission

Admission is competitive with approximately 8 to 10 students accepted each year (Specialist and Doctoral). Admission requirements and a detailed description of the School Ph.D. program can be obtained from the Department of Psychology website. In addition to grades, the admissions committee is very attentive to letters of recommendation, statement of research interest, and relevant professional experiences.

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.

Work history, professional goals, capacity for relating to and working with other people, emotional maturity and stability, and motivation also are considered. 

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 609History and Systems of Psychology

3(3-0)

PSY 630Advanced Social Psychology

3(3-0)

PSY 687Physiological Foundations

3(3-0)

Required Courses II (3 hours)

Human Development

PSY 624Advanced Developmental Psychology

3(3-0)

Required Courses III (3 hours)

Cognitive and Affective Aspects of Behavior

Select one of the following:

PSY 589Cognitive Psychology

3(3-0)

PSY 680Learning

3(3-0)

Required Courses IV (3 hours)

Multicultural Issues

PSY 850Ethnic and Minority Issues in Therapy

3(3-0)

Required Courses V (6 hours)

Educational Foundations

PSY 677Assessment and Development of Academic Skills II

3(3-0)

PSY 760Seminar A: School Services

3(3-0)

Required Courses VI (28 hours)

Assessment and Intervention

PSY 562Therapeutic Intervention: Foundations

3(3-0)

PSY 605Assessment of Affective and Behavioral Disorders of Children and Youth

3(3-0)

PSY 655Introduction to Intelligence Testing

2(2-2)

PSY 656Advanced Intellectual Assessment

2(2-2)

PSY 662Advanced Therapeutic Interventions

3(3-1)

PSY 667Assessment and Development of Academic Skills I

3(3-1)

PSY 751Psychopathology

3(3-0)

PSY 766Seminar: Consultation Skills

3(Spec)

PSY 767Assessment and Intervention for Developmental Disabilities

3(3-1)

PSY 780Behavior 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 571Research Methods in Behavior Analysis

3(3-0)

PSY 611Research Design

3(3-0)

PSY 612Applied Multiple Regression and Correlation

3(3-0)

PSY 613Multivariate and Correlational Methods

3(3-0)

PSY 818Program Evaluation

3(Spec)

Required Courses VIII (3 hours)

Ethics

PSY 765Seminar: Ethics and Professional Issues

3(3-0)

Thesis (6 hours)

PSY 798Thesis

1-12(Spec)

Required Experience-Based Courses (14 hours)

PSY 790Practicum I A: Professional Services

3(Spec)

PSY 791Practicum I B: Professional Services

3(Spec)

PSY 890Practicum II A: Professional Services

3(Spec)

PSY 891Practicum II B: Professional Services

3(Spec)

PSY 990Internship A: Professional Services

1-6(Spec)

PSY 991Internship B: Professional Services

1-6(Spec)

Note: one hour each of PSY 990 and PSY 991 are required.

Doctoral Dissertation (12 hours)

PSY 898Doctoral Dissertation: Design

1-12(Spec)

PSY 899Doctoral Dissertation: Implementation

1-12(Spec)

Electives (6 hours)

Select in consultation with advisor.

Total: 102 semester hours