School Psychology, PsyD
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 EducationTM.
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.
| 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 | School-Based Multicultural Interventions | 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.