School Psychology

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Our 111-credit Ph.D. in School Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Our Ph.D. School Psychology curriculum includes coursework, practicum, internship and dissertation.

Completion of our program leads to a M.S.Ed. in Child Psychology, Ph.D. in School Psychology and certification in School Psychology by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). After completing your degree, you will be prepared to apply for licensure through Pennsylvania's State Board of Psychology. Upon completing your doctorate and successfully passing the Praxis School Psychology Exam, you may be credentialed as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP).

Pursue Your Bigger Goals

As a graduate of our doctoral program, you will be prepared to make an impact in the field in so many ways. Graduates often seek employment in settings where research skills are required. You will be equipped to work as a:

  • School psychologist in schools, child clinics and child service agencies
  • Licensed psychologist in independent practice
  • University professor

School Psychology graduate student Kirstin has connected with other fields and used her talents to become a problem-solver who motivates others to make an impact. “Throughout my career I want to bridge the gap between school systems and kids with chronic illness,” she says. “To do this, it’s important to bridge the gap between medical providers and a child’s school.” Discover Kirstin's story

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Program Information

Completion of this program leads to an M.S.Ed., a Ph.D., Certification in School Psychology by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and will prepare you to apply for licensure through Pennsylvania's State Board of Psychology.

Degree

Master's, Doctorate

Academic Department

Counselor Education and School Psychology

Duration

4-year+

Required Credit Hours

111

APAAccredited

Accreditation by the APA tells prospective students, other institutions of higher learning and the public that our programs have met the standards that verify our ability to prepare graduates to provide outstanding, evidence-based clinical service to ensure the well-being of the public and promote best practices in education.

100%Internship Placement

Our students have 100% internship placement. You have the opportunity to intern at institutions accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), as well as at organizations who meet the Council of Directors of School Psychology Programs (CDSPP) guidelines

NCSPCredentials

Upon completing the degree program and successfully passing the Praxis School Psychology Exam, you may be credentialed as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP).

Prepare Here, Impact Anywhere

Our Ph.D. in School Psychology program at Duquesne University is designed to be consistent with the scientist-practitioner model of training. This training model and curriculum encourages future school psychologists to be both producers and consumers of science, allowing empirical research to drive one's professional practice, and allowing ongoing clinical experiences to shape future research questions.

You are also trained to become a professional psychologist with foundational knowledge and skills regarding psychological research, theory and evidence-based practices. From the very first semester of study, you are involved in both on-campus research teams and real-world practicum experiences allowing for the opportunities to engage in both the scientist and practitioner roles throughout the program.


Learn about the Ph.D. School Psychology Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data (.pdf)

Program Overview (.pdf)

Ph.D. Student Handbook
School Psychology student studying outside on campus on laptop at table with tres and campus building in the background

Student Resources

Curriculum

Fall
  • GPSY 505 Role and Function of School Psychologists (3 credits)
  • GPSY 512 Psychological Testing (3 credits)
  • GPSY 619 Child and Adolescent Development (3 credits)
  • GPSY 625 Academic Interventions (3 credits)
  • GPSY 810 Directed Research (1 credit)

Spring

  • GPSY 623 Behavioral Interventions (3 credits)
  • GPSY 692 Individual Testing (3 credits)
  • GREV 610 Educational Statistics II (3 credits)
  • GPSY 511 Psychology of Learning (3 credits)
  • GPSY 810 Directed Research (1 credit)

Summer

  • GPSY 850 History and Systems of Psychology (3 credits)
  • GPSY 575 Counseling Children, Adolescents and Emerging Adults (3 credits)
Fall
  • GPSY 680 Consultation and Program Evaluation  (3 credits)
  • GPSY 618 Personality Assessment for Intervention (3 credits)
  • GPSY 691 Psychotherapy with Child and Adolescents (3 credits)
  • GPSY 691L Practicum I (1 credit)
  • GPSY 810 Directed Research (1 credit)

Spring

  • GPSY 695 Child Neuropsychology (3 credits)
  • GPSY 690 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (3 credits)
  • GREV 701 Research Methods and Design (3 credits)
  • GPSY 807 Multicultural Psychology (3 credits)
  • GPSY 810 Directed Research (1 credit)
  • GPSY 693L Practicum II (1 credit)

Summer

  • GPSY 815 Ethics in School Psychology (3 credits)
Fall
  • GPSY 705 Single Subject Methods for School Psychologists (3 credits)
  • GPSY 614 Organizational Consultation and Supervision for School Psychologists 3 (credits)
  • GPSY 706 Fundamentals of University Faculty Positions (3 credits), or GREV 611 Statistics III (3 credits)
  • GPSY 813 Professional Seminar: Dissertation Research (1 credit)
  • GPSY 812L Advanced Doctoral Practicum I (1 credit)
  • GPSY 810 Directed Research  (1 credit)
Note: GPSY 812L has separate sections for individual faculty members. Be sure to register for the proper faculty member.


Spring

  • GPSY 811 Biological Basis of Behavior (3 credits)
  • GREV 612 Statistics IV Statistical Modeling (offered every other year), or a research elective approved by your advisor (3 credits)
  • GPSY 813 Professional Seminar: Dissertation Research (1 credit)
  • GPSY 812L Advanced Doctoral Practicum II (1 credit)
  • GPSY 810 Directed Research (1 credit)

Note
    • GREV 612 is only offered every other spring. If not offered, it may be taken in spring year 3 or spring year 4. Another research elective, approved by the student's advisor, may be taken in place of GREV 612. Not taking GREV 612 (or equivalent) will reduce the semester credit load by 3 credits. 
    • GPSY 812L has separate sections for individual faculty members. Be sure to register for the proper faculty member.
Fall
  • GESL 501 Helping English Language Learners in Mainstream Classes (3 credits)
  • GPSY 706 Fundamentals of University Faculty Positions (3 credits), or GREV 611 Statistics III (3 credits)
  • GPSY 808 Elective Option - Early Childhood: Assessment and Intervention (3 credits)
  • GPSY 812L Advanced Doctoral Practicum I (1 credit)
  • GPSY 810 Directed Research  (1 credit)

Note
    • Students must select ONE elective (3 credit hour): GPSY 804: Child Violence in Schools (offered each spring), GPSY 808: Early Childhood: Assessment and Intervention (offered each fall) or an elective approved by the student’s advisor. The elective can be taken anytime in the third and fourth years of study. A Ph.D. student’s course sequence must total 111 credits. 
    • GPSY 812L has separate sections for individual faculty members. Be sure to register for the proper faculty member.

Spring

  • GPSY 612 Social Psychology (3 credits)
  • GREV 612 Statistics IV Statistical Modeling (offered every other year), or a research elective to take the place of Ed. Stats. IV (3 credits)
  • GPSY 804 Elective Option - Child Violence in Schools (3 credits)
  • GPSY 812L Advanced Doctoral Practicum II (1 credit)
  • GPSY 810 Directed Research (1 credit)

Note
    • GREV 612 is only offered every other spring. If not offered, it may be taken in spring year 3 or spring year 4. Another research elective, approved by the student's advisor, may be taken in place of GREV 612. Not taking GREV 612 (or equivalent) will reduce the semester credit load by 3 credits. 
    • Students must select ONE elective (3 credit hour): GPSY 804: Child Violence in Schools (offered each spring), GPSY 808: Early Childhood: Assessment and Intervention (offered each fall) or an elective approved by the student’s advisor. The elective can be taken anytime in the third and fourth years of study. A Ph.D. student’s course sequence must total 111 credits.
    • GPSY 812L has separate sections for individual faculty members. Be sure to register for the proper faculty member.
Fall
  • GPSY 903 School Psychology Doctoral Internship Seminar I (3 credits)
  • GPSY 901 School Psychology Doctoral Internship I (1 credit)
  • GPSY 906 Dissertation (3 credits)

Note
    • GPSY 906 has separate sections for individual faculty members. Be sure to register for the proper faculty member.
    • Dissertation credits do not need to be taken in the suggested semesters above. Students must register for a total of 6 dissertation credits (GPSY 906) to be eligible for graduation.

Spring

  • GPSY 904 School Psychology Doctoral Internship Seminar II (3 credits)
  • GPSY 902 School Psychology Doctoral Internship II (1 credit)
  • GPSY 906 Dissertation (3 credits)

Note
    • GPSY 906 has separate sections for individual faculty members. Be sure to register for the proper faculty member.
    • Dissertation credits do not need to be taken in the suggested semesters above. Students must register for a total of 6 dissertation credits (GPSY 906) to be eligible for graduation.

Application Process

All Applicants

  • 3.0 GPA*
    *Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's academic competency.
  • Bachelor’s Degree
    All majors welcome to apply

International Applicants

Transcript Credit Evaluation

If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.

The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.

You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations: World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

 

All Applicants

  • Graduate Application
  • Letter of Interest
  • Curriculum vitae/resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • GRE scores (optional)
  • Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
    • A 3.0 GPA is required*
      *Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's academic competency.
    • If your transcripts are from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report. The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts. Please see Transcript Credit Evaluation section above.
  • Although not required, applicants are permitted to upload additional materials that demonstrate potential for success and fit with the aims of the program.

Faculty members review all Ph.D. application materials and identify applicants who are judged to have a high likelihood of success in graduate studies, and have professional goals and interests that align with obtaining a doctoral degree in school psychology, the Ph.D. as a research-oriented degree, and the scientist-practitioner model of training. Successful applicants are invited to an interview.

Faculty members then consider all application materials and interview information to make admission offers. With an admissions offer, the student will then enroll in classes for the upcoming fall semester. The Program does not engage in "rolling admissions."

Application Procedure

To be considered for admission, applicants must complete the following steps. By following this procedure, there will be no application fee.

  1. Prepare a letter of interest to upload into the online application. A letter of intent describes educational, professional, research and personal experiences that have resulted in an applicant's interests to pursue a career in school psychology, specifically pursue a Ph.D. in school psychology, and consider the Duquesne University Ph.D. School Psychology program in particular. The letter of interest should also outline an applicant's career goals so that the faculty may judge the match between the applicant's goals and the stated goals and competencies of the Ph.D. program . Applicants should be certain to cover his or her research experience and research interests as these are carefully evaluated by the Program faculty when reviewing applications for the Ph.D. program as it is in part a research-oriented degree.
  2. Prepare a curriculum vita/resume to upload into the online application.
  3. All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts should be sent by your university to the Office of Graduate Admissions (address below). Please see Transcript Credential Evaluation Section below.
  4. The submission of GRE scores is optional. GRE scores obtained within 5 years of the date of application can be sent to Duquesne University. Please contact ETS to have your official GRE scores sent to Duquesne University- Institutional Code #2196. Note it takes 7-10 days for Duquesne University to receive your score after your order from ETS.
  5. Duquesne University requires submission of TOEFL or IELTS scores for all non-native English-speaking applicants. Additionally, the English as a Second Language Program conducts a review of each matriculated student upon arrival to determine individual needs for English instruction to support success in his/her degree program. The University requires the following minimum scores in each area to be considered for admission: TOEFL minimum of 80 (internet based) with no sub-score less than 17, or 550 on the paper-based test; IELTS minimum score of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.5 for Reading, 5.5 for Writing, 5.5 for Speaking and 6.0 for Listening. Have these scores ready to insert into the online application.
  6. The online application will ask the applicant to supply the names and email addresses of three persons who are willing to write a letter of reference. The online application process will then email each letter writer and ask them to upload a letter of reference regarding your application to the Program. Please inform your letter writers to expect an automated email.
  7. When all of the above are ready, applicants must complete Duquesne University's online application. This application requires you to upload the documents above.

Faculty members will review all completed applications and rate each according to the quality of submitted materials (letter of intent, transcripts, test scores and references) and match with the stated goals and competencies associated with the Ph.D. program. Successful applicants will then be selected for an interview. Applicants will be notified by email or telephone of an interview invitation, as well as the time of the videoconference interview. After final admissions decisions have been made, letters of acceptance, rejection or wait list status will be emailed and then air/ground mailed to all of the applicants. Final decisions are made after April 15 of each year.

Application Submission

Send official transcripts to:

gradadmissionsFREEDUQUESNE%C2%A0

or

Duquesne University
Office of Graduate Admissions 
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Change of Degree Programs

If a student would like to change degree sequences, the student must complete a new application and follow all application guidelines for the desired degree program. It is not permissible for students simply to elect to change or migrate between School Psychology Program degree sequences without making a formal application. In the case where a current student is accepted into a new degree program, the student's program of study will be reviewed with the student's advisor to ensure that the future course of study will meet the requirements of the new degree sequence.

Students are admitted into the Ph.D. Program once per year with an annual application deadline of January 15.

Final decisions are made by April 15 of each year.

Student Perspective

Profile photo of Ph.D. School Psychology graduate student Kirstin Franklin

When a school understands a child’s needs it can bring in the right services, provide more empathy toward the student and give the best chance for success, even if there are limitations due to chronic illness.

Kirstin Franklin Ph.D. School Psychology Graduate Student
Explore Kirstin's work

Faculty Experts

Laura Metz Crothers, D.Ed., NCSP

Laura Metz Crothers, D.Ed., NCSP

Program Director | Professor

Elizabeth McCallum, Ph.D.

Elizabeth McCallum, Ph.D.

Department Chair | Professor

Kara McGoey, Ph.D.

Kara McGoey, Ph.D.

Professor

Dr. Ara Schmitt

Dr. Ara Schmitt

Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Advancement | Professor

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American Psychological Association (APA)

Our Ph.D. School Psychology program is accredited by APA. Accreditation by the APA tells prospective students, other institutions of higher learning and the public that our programs have met the standards that verify our ability to prepare graduates to provide outstanding, evidence-based clinical service to ensure the well-being of the public and promote best practices in education. Questions related to accreditation of the program 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; Email: apaaccred@apa.org

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School Psychology

Audrey Czwalga

Assistant to the Program Director