The program leads to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. Reflecting a "scientist-practitioner" training orientation, the doctoral program in School Psychology extends the student's knowledge and applied research and teaching skills. Knowledge in the psychological foundations contributes to the development of effective scientist-practitioner school psychologists who utilize psychological theories and scientific research to inform their practice. We also recognize that the science and practice of school psychology mutually influence each other–science informs practice and practice informs science–and that an understanding of individual, ethnic, and cultural diversity serves as a foundation to effective science and practice of school psychology. Therefore, the program offers a curriculum within which all students are expected to acquire and demonstrate a substantial understanding of and/or competence in:
- Professional school psychology (i.e., psychodiagnostic assessment, consultation, intervention, professional practice/ethics, learning, development, statistics, psychoeducational measurement, research design, and special education);
- Psychological foundations (i.e., biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, social bases of behavior, individual bases of behavior, and history and systems of psychology);
- Research skills; and
- Appreciation/sensitivity to individual, ethnic, and cultural diversity.
The program is typically a four-year program of full-time study, followed by a full-year internship in health service psychology.
The program is housed in the KU School of Education and Human Sciences, which is accredited under the CAEP Accreditation System. The Ph.D. program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists and Kansas Department of Education.
If you have any questions about the program’s APA accreditation status, please contact:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979
Fax: 202-336-5978
Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Graduate Admission to the School of Education and Human Sciences
Graduate programs in education are open to students with acceptable baccalaureate and graduate degrees whose academic records indicate that they can do successful work at the graduate level. Applicants must provide evidence of ability to work successfully at the graduate level, including experience in and commitment to the profession.
Each department in the School of Education and Human Sciences sets its own application deadlines and admission criteria. Prospective graduate students should contact the appropriate department for more information.
See Admission in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog for more information.
Admission
The admission deadline is December 15 to begin course work in the following summer or fall.
Required Admissions Materials
1. Graduate application and application fee. See Admission in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
2. 1 copy of official transcripts of all previous college work, sent directly to Graduate Studies. The original transcript is forwarded to the School of Education to complete licensing and/or certification paperwork. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required for regular admission. If applicable, a graduate grade point average of 3.5 or higher is required for regular admission.
3. The letter of intent should include the following:
Describe your career goals; Describe how you see your career goals relating to this degree program (how you see this program preparing you to meet your career objectives); Describe past work or educational experiences related to this degree program; Describe what skills/competencies and experiences you hope to gain in this program; Describe any past research experiences and accomplishments; Describe one research topic/issue that you would like to pursue in this program; Please provide additional information concerning your background, experience, goals, or accomplishments/awards you believe are pertinent to your application.
5. Résumé.
6. GRE (general test) scores: Institution code, R6871; Major Field code, 3406. The GRE should have been taken within five years of the application date, and scores should typically equal or exceed the 50th percentile.
7. 3 letters of recommendation from individuals in a position to evaluate the applicant’s qualifications for graduate study.
The doctoral program adheres to a scientist-practitioner model of training. Doctoral study extends the student's applied, research, and teaching skills. Research skills are described under Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Education. Completion of the program typically requires 4 years of full-time study followed by a full year of internship.
Year 2 |
---|
Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours | Fall | Hours |
Social Basis of Behavior Elective (EPSY 808, PSYC 774, PSYC 775 or PSYC 777) | 3 | History and Systems of Psychology (EPSY 882 or PSYC 805) | 3 | EPSY 705 | 3 |
EPSY 798 (Consultation Systems & Program Evaluation) | 3 | | EPSY 822 | 3 |
EPSY 807 | 3 | | Elective: Research Skills (EPSY 803, EPSY 811, EPSY 812, EPSY 816, EPSY 822, EPSY 905**, EPSY 906, EPSY 922, EPSY 926, PSYC 887, or ABSC 735) | 3 |
EPSY 865 | 3 | | EPSY 855 | 3 |
EPSY 901 | 2 | | EPSY 901 | 2 |
| 14 | | 3 | | 14 |
Total Hours 31 |
Year 3 |
---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
EPSY 902 | 3 | EPSY 880 | 3 | Individual and Cultural Diversity (EPSY 875 or ELPS 830) | 3 |
EPSY 947 | 2 | Elective: 800-level course | 3 | |
EPSY 910 | 3 | EPSY 911 | 3 | |
EPSY 975 | 3 | Elective: Research Skills (EPSY 803, EPSY 811, EPSY 812, EPSY 816, EPSY 822, EPSY 905***, EPSY 906, EPSY 922, EPSY 926, PSYC 887, or ABSC 735) | 3 | |
Elective: Research Skills (EPSY 803, EPSY 811, EPSY 812, EPSY 816, EPSY 822, EPSY 905**, EPSY 906, EPSY 922, EPSY 926, PSYC 887, or ABSC 735) | 3 | EPSY 947 | 2 | |
| EPSY 996 (Optional) | 2 | |
| 14 | | 16 | | 3 |
Total Hours 33 |
Timing of Comprehensive Exams.
Given the timing of internship placements through the national match process, School Psychology and Counseling Psychology Ph.D. students may be allowed to take comprehensive exams with up to 6 hours of non-required coursework remaining, so long as the remaining courses are not considered part of the research skills requirement or part of the program core that will be the subject of examination. These remaining hours can count towards the required 18 post-comp hours although students are still required to enroll in dissertation hours.