2012 School Psychology Program Description

The program is designed to prepare professional psychologists with educational expertise who can function in a variety of diverse, educationally-related settings. The "scientist practitioner" and "ecological systems/whole child" concepts guide the program. These views foster the conception of the school psychologist as broadly capable of conducting research and practicing effectively with clients, in addition to considering the ecological complexity in which the child exists. The program faculty has a strong interest in the full service school model, which espouses a broad role for the school psychologist. The assessment of children and adolescents as well as planning for interventions necessitates this broader conceptualization of childhood problems. The program integrates social justice perspectives throughout its training sequence and focuses on a preventative, systems-based model in working with school-aged youth. The program emphasizes a balance between psychological and educational theory as well as applied practice.

At present the program is comprised of 87% women and 13% men. Twenty percent of the current students represent racial and ethnic minority groups. The overall (verbal and quantitative) average score on the GRE for students who entered the program from 2004-2005 to 2010-2011 is 1112. The overall undergraduate GPA of these students is 3.53. For the entering Class of 2011, 23 students applied, 7 were admitted and 4 accepted. Two of the students who were admitted in the Fall of 2011 were admitted directly from undergraduate study and two had a master’s degree and additional graduate work. See accompanying tables for more detailed program data. 

* includes temporary licensure