Program Overview
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Chair: Michelle Athanasiou, 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 accredited 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).
Admission
Location: Greeley
Start Term: Fall
General Doctoral Degree Admission Requirements
School Psychology Ph.D.
Admission Deadline
Fall Admission: Dec. 1
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.
Each applicant must:
Take the following steps to be considered for admission:
Step 1: Complete the Application
Complete the online application.
- Answer the application questions.
- Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
- Request three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic potential and abilities. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.
- Submit the application and pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- International Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- The Graduate School is waiving application fees for all current UNC students and alumni! (The waiver applies only to the UNC Graduate School application.) Click for details.
Once you submit your application you will be assigned an Admissions Portal, allowing you to upload supplemental items, as listed below, and track your application through the admissions process.
Step 2: Request Transcripts
Request one official transcript from any Institutionally Accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred). If you received a degree from UNC, you do not need to request a transcript from UNC. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request that applicants provide official transcripts from other colleges or universities as needed. Applicants who have earned or are directly pursuing a higher degree from a regionally accredited institution without receiving a bachelor’s degree (e.g., PharmD) may be eligible to apply to the Graduate School without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree.
Exceptions: If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.
Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.
Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639
Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.
The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.
UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.
Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.
The GRE is optional. You may choose to submit official GRE scores (less than five years old). It is expected that most applicants will not provide GRE scores, but they are optional for those who feel that GRE scores will strengthen their application credentials. It is in no way required; applications without GRE scores will receive full review without disadvantage.
Required minimum scores:
- 140 Quantitative;
- 146 Verbal Reasoning;
- Combined score of at least 297;
- Analytical Writing 3.5
Please note, UNC does not accept GRE Subject Test scores.
Step 4: Supplemental Items
Log back into the Admissions Portal to submit the following:
- Written statement (300-500 words) indicating the applicant's personal and professional reasons for selecting school psychology as a profession.
- Current vita
Additional Information
Finalists for the Ph.D. program will be invited to attend an on-site interview.
Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation. The timing of the admission decision depends on each individual program’s deadline and review process.
International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.
For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.