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The School Psychology Ph.D. program prepares you for a professional career in school psychology with a focus on improving children's academic performance, social-emotional development, mental health and overall well-being. With a combination of comprehensive coursework, research experience and supervised on-site training experiences, you'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in the lives of children and adolescents in a variety of applied settings.

About This Program

The Ph.D. Program in School Psychology at Kent State University is rich in history and tradition, reflecting Ohio’s early position as a leader in the development of the school psychology specialty, the master’s program began in 1947. Students were first admitted for doctoral study in the mid-1960s. The Ph.D. Program in School Psychology was initially accredited by the American Psychological Association in 1984 and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists in 1987; accreditation and approval have been continuous since that time.

CORE VALUES

Following are the core values of the Ph.D. Program in School Psychology:

  • Acquiring the appropriate analytical skills to make informed decisions, perform evaluations of client outcomes, and contribute new findings to the profession (Scientist-Practitioner/Data-Based Decision Making);
  • Attending to the relationship between behavior and the environment to determine the appropriate level, timing, and focus of service deliver (Eco-Behavioral Model);
  • Appreciating the relevance and value of diversity when providing responsible and ethical delivery of psychological services (Cultural Competence); and
  • Fostering the ability to recognize and evaluate the interdependencies of organizational systems to improve the delivery of psychological services (Systems-Based Practice)

Program Information for

Admissions for

Program Sequence Information

Designed as a 5 year program if entering directly into the Ph.D. Program in School Psychology. The duration varies for students entering the Ph.D. Program in School Psychology with prior training in School Psychology.

Year One

First year coursework provides an orientation to the profession of school psychology, as well as the foundations for professional practice. The Master's of Education (M.Ed.) Degree in School Psychology is awarded upon successful completion of all required courses.

Year Two

Second year coursework focuses attention on the development of professional competencies, as well as an integration of knowledge and skills necessary for professional practice.

Year Three

Third year coursework provides additional advanced study and experiences in school psychology consistent with doctoral themes for research, leadership, and supervision as approved and reflected on the students Plan of Study. Typically, students complete their doctoral comprehensive exams and advance to candidacy at the conclusion of year three.

Years Four and Five

Fourth and fifth years of study include the successful completion of dissertation research and a full-year doctoral internship. Years 4 and 5 can be switched depending on the student's desire for research completion, as well as with any requirements at APPIC/APA internship sites that may require an accepted dissertation proposal prior to beginning internship.

Current Student Resources

Ph.D. Program Data

Please see Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data for information pertaining to admission, attrition, costs, and graduation trends within the Ph.D. Program in School Psychology.

Accreditation

The Ph.D. Program in School Psychology is Accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation, Office for Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Phone: (202) 336-5979. Email: apaaccred@apa.org. Web: apa.org/ed/accreditation.

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