School Psychology

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Accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), our 91-credit Psy.D. in School Psychology program at Duquesne University is designed to be consistent with the local-clinical scientist model of training. Upon completing the first 30 credits in the Psy.D. program, students will be awarded our M.S.Ed. in Child Psychology.

Pursue Your Bigger Goals

As a graduate of our doctoral program, you will be license-eligible for independent practice and will be prepared to make an impact in the field in so many ways. You will be equipped to work as a:

  • School psychologist in schools, hospitals, and child agencies and clinics.
  • Licensed psychologist in independent practice

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Program Information

Accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), our 91-credit Psy.D. in School Psychology program at Duquesne University is designed to be consistent with the local-clinical scientist model of training.

Degree

Master's, Doctorate

Academic Department

Counselor Education and School Psychology

Duration

4-year

Required Credit Hours

91

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

In our Psy.D. in School Psychology program, you will be trained in evidence-based practices founded in scientific literature and theory, and are additionally trained to consider local contextual variables when implementing these practices.

You'll learn to adapt empirically-validated research programs and interventions for use in unique practice settings, and with unique individuals and communities. Consistent with this model of training, each student intensively studies and addresses a problem of applied practice identified by a practice site in the year-long Applied Project.

Our modern curriculum employs aspects of multiculturalism and diversity, examining emerging trends in the profession, conducting continuous outcomes assessments for program improvement, and providing support to our students and alumni.

Learn about the Psy.D. School Psychology Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data

Program Overview

Psy.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

Upon completing the first 30 credits in the Psy.D. program, students will be awarded a Master's of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) degree in Child Psychology. It is the student's responsibility to obtain, complete and submit the degree application form to obtain the M.S.Ed. in Child Psychology.

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)

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)

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 School Psychology Practicum I (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 693L School Psychology Practicum II (1 credit)

Summer

  • GPSY 815 Ethics in School Psychology (3 credits)
  • GESL 501 Helping English Language Learners in Mainstream Classes (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 808 Early Childhood: Assessment and Intervention (3 credits)
  • GPSY 812L Advanced Doctoral Practicum I (2 credits)
  • GPSY 905 Applied Project (1 credit)

Spring
  • GPSY 811 Biological Basis of Behavior (3 credits)
  • GPSY 612 Social Psychology (3 credits)
  • GPSY 804 Child Violence in Schools (3 credits)
  • GPSY 812L Advanced Doctoral Practicum II (2 credits)
  • GPSY 905 Applied Project (1 credit)
Fall
  • GPSY 903 School Psychology Doctoral Internship Seminar I (3 credits)
  • GPSY 901 School Psychology Doctoral Internship I (1 credit)

Spring

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

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 below.
  • 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 Psy.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 Psy.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 Psy.D. in school psychology, and consider the Duquesne University Psy.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 Psy.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 Psy.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

Submit official transcripts through:

  • Email to:
    Graduate%20Admissions

    Or

  • Mail to:
    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 Psy.D program once per year with an annual application deadline of January 15.

Final decisions are made by April 15 of each year.

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

Accreditation

Our Psy.D. School Psychology program is accredited by APA.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Questions related to the accreditation of the program should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation.

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School Psychology

Audrey Czwalga

Assistant to the Program Director