School Psychology, PhD

Doctorate in School Psychology

The PhD in School Psychology is a five-year training program to prepare you to become a professional school psychologist. School psychologists possess a diverse skill set and are employed in a variety of settings including K-12 public and private schools, private practices, pediatric clinics and hospitals, early childhood centers and community mental health centers. Graduates of the OSU School Psychology Program are trained work across these settings to assess and treat clients with achievement deficits (e.g., specific learning disabilities), autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, trauma disorders, mood or depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. This is accomplished by providing a range of assessment (both diagnostic and treatment related), intervention, consultative and therapeutic services. Graduates are eligible for National Certification in School Psychology from NASP, certification as school psychologists through the State Department of Education, and licensure as Psychologists through the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. The program also offers coursework required to obtain certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

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Curriculum

Our program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). We follow a scientist-practitioner model in which theory, research and practice are integrated components of our comprehensive training program. We embed Science-Based Child and Learner Success (SBC/LS) orientation in the delivery of school psychology services in order to effect positive outcomes.

The program requires 60 hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree, including 15 hours of dissertation and a full-time, paid internship in a public school system. Our students also complete clinical training under faculty supervision in the School Psychology Center on the OSU campus.

Course information

APAAmerican Psychological Association

Highest level of program accreditation

APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, which supports the Commission on Accreditation:

750 1st. St. NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242

202-336-5979

Research and Faculty

Our faculty actively encourage participation in research teams, which provide mentorship and create an educational environment of support and productivity. Currently our graduate students are heavily involved in two faculty-led intervention programs that directly support Oklahoma students, including Project Aware and the Measures and Interventions for Numeracy Development.

teacher with student

Faculty research expertise includes:

Issues in child psychopathology
Psychoeducational assessment
Academic assessment & interventions for low achieving students
Functional assessment & intervention of externalizing behavior
Variables associated with treatment integrity
Development and refinement of psychological measures
Effectiveness of school-based interventions for children with autism
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Evidence-based systems level prevention of academic & behavior problems
Effective practices in consultation with parents and teachers.

Meet our faculty

School Psychology Center

College research initiatives

Admissions

Applications are to be submitted for review by January 5 for fall admission consideration.

To apply for the program, complete the following:

Graduate College application
Transcripts from all previously attended institutions (3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA and/or 3.5 minimum graduate GPA preferred)
Current resume/vita
Three letters of recommendation
GRE Scores (optional)
Personal and professional goal statement (three to five pages)
On-campus interview
Professional writing sample

Student admissions, outcomes and other data

Graduate student resources

Cost & Assistance

The OSU School Psychology faculty tirelessly work to procure assistantships to support our students. Every student accepted to the OSU School Psychology Program has received funding from assistantships for each semester they have been enrolled in the program for the past 15 years. These assistantships waive both in-state and out-of-state tuition and provide a monthly stipend.

These assistantships (highlight link here) are across various areas: teaching, research, practicum, training grants, the School Psychology Clinic and faculty/program administrative support roles. Assistantships are designed to provide financial support for full-time students and provide special skills that may be useful in future career endeavors. Students are matched with their areas of professional interest during their graduate assistantship, under the supervision of a faculty member.

Currently enrolled students are eligible for scholarships offered through the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Cost

Scholarships

Financing graduate school

Assistantships