Program Overview
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
General Doctoral Degree Admission Requirements
View delivery options, start terms and admission requirements.
Chair: David Hulac, Ph.D.
Location: McKee 248
Telephone: 970-351-2731
Website: www.unco.edu/cebs/school-psychology/
The Ph.D. program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
The doctoral program focuses on training health service providers in the area of school psychology who possess the following profession-wide competencies: research, ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values and attitudes, communication and interpersonal skills, assessment, intervention, supervision and consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills. Doctoral students in School Psychology are expected to engage in scholarly work throughout their program of study to gain skill as a researcher. They are expected to work with an approved faculty member for five hours per week for a minimum of four semesters (summers excluded). The program is based on the student entering with a bachelor's degree. Students with advanced graduate degrees in an area of professional psychology may be able to waive some coursework and should meet with their advisors to develop a specific plan of study. A course in abnormal psychology is a prerequisite to the program and must be completed in the first year of study.
The Ph.D. program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-336-5979 or Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/
The Ph.D. program in School Psychology is also approved by the National Association of School Psychologists.
Students in the Ph.D. program in School Psychology must complete all requirements of the M.A. degree in Foundations of Professional Psychology, in addition to the credits here. Upon completion of the M.A. degree, students will automatically be admitted to the Ph.D. program in School Psychology.
Doctoral graduates are eligible for licensure as psychologists through the state Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and as school psychologists through the state Department of Education. Graduates are qualified to assume positions as school-based practitioners, university professors, consultants, educational researchers, and psychologists (after obtaining DORA licensure).
Degree Requirements — 98-101 Credits
School Psychology Core — 25 credits
| APCE 623 | Understanding and Counseling Diverse Populations | 3 |
| PSY 587 | Social Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| SPSY 640 | School-Based Psychological Consultation | 3 |
| SPSY 656 | Systems-Based Behavioral Health | 3 |
| SPSY 667 | Intervening with Trauma and Crisis in the Schools | 3 |
| SPSY 747 | Psychological Aspects of Academic Programming and Intervention | 3 |
| SPSY 763 | Legal and Professional Foundations of School Psychology | 4 |
| SPSY 630 | Functional Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
Assessment Core — 8 credits
| SPSY 644 | Assessment I: Cognitive and Academic Functioning | 5 |
| SPSY 646 | Assessment II: Socio-Emotional and Behavioral Functioning | 3 |
Practicum Core — 16-18 credits
| SPSY 618 | Practicum in Child, Adolescent, and Family Interventions | 5 |
| SPSY 776 | Externship in School Psychology | 1-2 |
| SPSY 779 | Practicum in School Psychology | 1- 3 |
Choose 1 of the following courses:
| APCE 617 | Play Therapy: Theory and Practicum | 3 |
| SPSY 749 | Supervision and Leadership in School Psychology | 3 |
| SPSY 778 | Clinical Neuropsychology Practicum | 3 |
Ph.D. Electives — 9-10 credits
Choose 3 of the following courses:
| APCE 609 | Foundations of Play Therapy | 3 |
| APCE 624 | Assessment and Treatment of Substance Abuse | 3 |
| APCE 665 | Family Systems | 3 |
| APCE 669 | Advanced Methods: Couples and Family Therapy | 3 |
| APCE 694 | Practicum in Couples and Family Therapy | 4 |
| APCE 782 | Introduction to Rorschach Administration and Scoring | 3 |
| APCE 785 | Advanced Practicum in Community Engagement: Campus Connections | 1 |
| SRM 607 | Non-Parametric Statistics | 3 |
| SRM 609 | Sampling Methods | 3 |
| SRM 611 | Advanced Statistical Data Analysis | 3 |
| SRM 625 | Applied Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 |
| SRM 626 | Applied Multilevel Modeling | 3 |
| SRM 627 | Survey Research Methods | 3 |
| SRM 629 | Structural Equation Modeling | 3 |
| SRM 635 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| SRM 636 | Applied Bayesian Statistics | 3 |
| SRM 637 | Applied Time Series Analysis | 3 |
| SRM 660 | Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| SRM 673 | Evaluation: Advanced Methods | 3 |
| SRM 680 | Introduction to Qualitative Research | 3 |
| SRM 685 | Educational Ethnography | 3 |
| SRM 686 | Qualitative Case Study Research | 3 |
| SRM 705 | Advanced Issues in Research Methods | 3 |
Supervision Core — 3 credits
| SPSY 775 | Supervision in School Psychology | 3 |
Research Core — 18 credits
Research Methodology
Applied Statistics
Applied Research Methods
| SPSY 629 | Single-Case Research Methods | 3 |
| SPSY 663 | Seminar in Research and Professional Practice | 1 |
| SPSY 781 | Evaluation of Psychological Services | 3 |
SPSY 663: Must complete 1 credit per semester for 3 semesters, beginning the summer of first year.
Internship Core — 3 credits
| SPSY 789 | Internship in School Psychology | 1-8 |
Dissertation Core — 16 credits
Program Notes
A student entering with previously completed graduate coursework may be able to have courses waived with advisor consent. In addition to formal course requirements, students must complete written and oral comprehensive examinations. As part of their written examination, students must pass the National School Psychology examination with a score of 147 or higher. Students must also complete a dissertation and a minimum 2,000 hour internship.