Introduction

The APA accredited School Psychology Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program offers comprehensive, supervised training and a strong foundation in school psychological theory and clinical practices that are evidence-based, culturally responsive, socially just, and collaborative. The foundational mission of the program is to train culturally responsive school psychologists. All of the courses infuse themes of equity and social justice and include an emphasis on prevention and the ecological influences on behavior. This program is one of only a handful of APA-accredited programs in the country that offers an optional bilingual (Spanish/English) school psychologist concentration and the only one to offer a graduate credential in the Neurosequential Model in Education^TM.

Graduates earn a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree and are eligible for licensure in School Psychology by the Colorado Department of Education. Graduates also have the option of pursuing licensure by the State Board of Psychologist Examiners. Most school psychologists work in public and nonpublic school systems, but they may also be employed by hospitals; universities; community mental health centers; and public policy, public education, and health agencies.

Requirements for the Doctor of Psychology Degree in School Psychology and Licensure

Students will complete course work in affective, biological, cognitive, socio-cultural, and developmental aspects of behavior; legal and professional issues; psychological assessment; crisis intervention; counseling and other direct interventions; and consultation. Specific course requirements include 75 credit hours of coursework, 7 credit hours of practica (minimum of 550 hours in the field), 6 credit hours of clinical externship (minimum of 500 clock hours in the field), 8 credit hours of internship (minimum of 1500 clock hours in the field), and 4 Capstone project credit hours. A passing score on the School Psychology Praxis exam during the course of study and passing of comprehensive examinations are also required. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Core Courses
RSEM 5100	Basic Statistics	3
RSEM 5110	Introduction to Measurement	3
RSEM 7050	Methods of Survey Research	3
RSEM 7080	Methods of Qualitative Inquiry	3
RSEM 7110	Intermediate Statistics	3
SPSY 5010	Theoretical and Historical Influences in School Psychology	3
SPSY 5900	Identity, Power, and Privilege in Educational and Mental Health Contexts	3
SPSY 6000	Learning and Affective Aspects of Behavior in School Psychology & Education	3
SPSY 6100	Legal & Professional Foundations	3
SPSY 6120	Applications of Legal and Ethical Practice in School Psychology	3
SPSY 6150	Psychoeducational Assessment I	3
SPSY 6160	Psychoeducational Assessment II	3
SPSY 6170	Applied Developmental Science and Assessment	3
SPSY 6350	School-Based Interventions: Children, Youth and Families	3
SPSY 6400	School-Based Interventions: Groups, Classrooms and Systems	3
SPSY 6410	Psychoeducational Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students	3
SPSY 6420	Crisis Prevention, Planning and Intervention	3
SPSY 6450	Consultation and Data-based Decision-Making	3
SPSY 6510	Typical and Atypical Development and Mental Health and Wellbeing	3
SPSY 6500	Case Conceptualization and Diagnosis	3
SPSY 6600	Social Influences on Development, Behavior, & Well Being for School Psychologists	3
SPSY 6550	Academic & Behavioral Interventions in School Psychology	3
SPSY 6700	Advanced Seminar in School Psychology	3
SPSY 7500	Biological and Neuropsychological Bases of Behavior	3
SPSY 7980	Clinical Supervision & Admin of Psych Services	3
Supervised Experiences
SPSY 6911	School Psychology Practicum	3
SPSY 6917	Advanced Practicum in Psychological Assessment	1
SPSY 6918	Clinical Externship	1-3
SPSY 6930	School Psychology Internship	1-6
Doctoral Research/Capstone
SPSY 8980	School Psychology Doctoral Capstone Project	2

Total:  100 Hours

The doctor of psychology in school psychology degree also requires a passing score (≥ 147) on the PRAXIS exam in school psychology (Test Code 5402), a passing score on a written comprehensive examination, satisfactory completion of one comprehensive case study, and completion of a Capstone/applied research project.

Professional Expectations

All students in the SPSY program are expected to show a strong commitment to the program and to maintain a high academic, professional, ethical standards and sensitivity to diversity. Inappropriate or unprofessional conduct is cause for discipline or dismissal from the program.