PhD in School Psychology

The doctoral program plan requires 160 credits minimum, culminating in:

  • an original research dissertation
  • a predoctoral internship
  • the doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree

Students may enter the doctoral program with or without a master’s degree.

Prior graduate course work may reduce the amount of time needed to finish the doctoral program.

The doctoral program is accredited by the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists, and approved by the Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission for the educational licensure of school psychologists in the state of Oregon.

Graduates of this program meet school psychologist licensure requirements through the Oregon Teacher Standards & Practices and are eligible for the nationally certified school psychologist credential offered by the National Association of School Psychologists. Additionally, the doctoral program prepares students to qualify for licensure as a professional psychologist through the state board of psychologist examiners. 

SPSY PhD Handbook

PhD Requirements — Total Credits: 160

Title CREDITS
Psychological and Educational Foundations 33
Measurement and Assessment 16
Statistics and Research 49
Practice of School Psychology 53
Internship 9

Psychological and Education Foundations — Minimum Credits: 33

Course and Title Credits
Theories of Learning and Instruction:
EDUC 654 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis		 4
SPED 660 Design of Instruction 4

Individual Differences in Behavior (choose one of the following):

SPED 515 Diversity and Special Education

CPSY 615 Counseling Diverse Populations

 

3

4
Human Development:
CPSY 621 Lifespan Developmental Psychology		 3
Psychopathology:
SPSY 650 Developmental Psychopathology		 4
Biological Aspects of Behavior:
SPSY 652 Biological Aspects of Behavior		 4-5
Cognitive Aspects of Behavior:
SPSY 651 Cognitive and Affective Aspects of Behavior		 4-5
Social Aspects of Behavior:
CPSY 635 Social Aspects of Behavior		 4-5

Measurement and Assessment — Credits: 16

Course and Title Credits
SPSY 671 Behavioral Assessment 4
SPSY 672 Intellectual Assessment 4
SPSY 674 Educational Assessment 4
EDLD 663 Measurement & Assessment 2

Statistics and Research — Minimum Credits: 49

Statistics and Research Design — Credits: 23

Course and Title Credits
EDUC 614 Educational Statistics 4
EDUC 640 Applied Statistical Design and Analysis 4
SPED 626 Grant Writing 3
EDUC 650 Single-Subject Research Methods I 4
EDUC 652 Single-Subject Research Methods II 4
EDUC 642 Multiple Regression in Educational Research 4

Application of Research Skills: Dissertation Research — Minimum Credits: 26

Course and Title Credits
SPSY 603 Dissertation 18 (minimum)
SPSY 690 School Research Seminar [Topic] 8 (minimum)

Practice of School Psychology — Minimum Credits: 53

Consultation — Credits: 8

Course and Title Credits
SPSY 630 Introduction to Consultation 4
SPSY 632 Advanced Consultation 4

Academic and Social Behavioral Interventions — Credits: 15

Course and Title Credits
SPSY 631 Academic and Behavioural Intervention 4
SPED 540 Early Literacy for Diverse Learners 4
CPSY 611 Counseling Skills 3
CPSY 642 Child-Family Interventions 4

Teaching and Supervision — Credits: 7

Course and Title Credits
SPSY 662 Foundations of Clinical Supervision 3
SPSY 691 Supervised College Teaching 2
SPSY 691 Supervised College Teaching 2

Professional Standards and Ethics — Credits: 10

Course and Title Credits
SPSY 661 Principles and Practices in School Psychology 4
SPED 628 Law and Special Education 3
SPSY 663 Professional Ethics 3

Practicum Experiences — Credits: 13 / Minimum 520 Clock Hours

Course and Title Credits
SPSY 695 Introductory Field Studies 

2 
80 Clock Hours

Integrated Practicum — Credits: 9 / Minimum 360 Clock Hours

Course and Title Credits
SPSY 698 School-Based Practicum (Fall term)  3
120 Clock Hours
SPSY 698 School-Based Practicum (Winter term)  3
120 Clock Hours
SPSY 698 School-Based Practicum (Spring term)  3
120 Clock Hours

Internship Experience — Credits: 9 / Minimum 1,500 Clock Hours2

Course and Title Credits
SPSY 699 Internship 1

2 See student handbook for possible exceptions to the 9 credit internship registration requirement. Prior to completion of internship, students are required to pass the Praxis II School Psychologist licensure exam.