Department of Educational Psychology

Thank you for your interest in our Combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD Program.The application as applicant for "accreditation, on contingency" status for the Combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD Program was received by the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation. This application was reviewed by the APA Commission on Accreditation at its October 20-23, 2016 program review meeting. Based upon that review, the Commission voted to authorize a site visit for our Combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD program. The site visit will take place during the Spring 2017 semester.To view the program’s status as Under review (as applicant for "accredited, on contingency" status), see the APA’s  Programs Applying for Initial Accreditation website. Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:The American Psychological Association Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation 750 First Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20002-4242 202.336.5979

This Combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD Program is only offered at our Flagstaff campus.

Admission Deadlines

Completed application files are reviewed and admission decisions are made during one cycle each year.  All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate College online application by December 1st to be reviewed for entrance in the subsequent academic year.  ***Admission decisions are made by the first week of March and students receive notification of this decision electronically.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that their application file is complete.  Incomplete files are not reviewed.***The Office of the President at NAU has a special initiative to attract outstanding doctoral students with specific research interests.  This initiative offers a generous fellowship during the individual’s graduate studies at NAU.  Individuals who would like to be considered for this Research Fellowship will be required to apply for the program by November 15th. Applications received by the November 15 date will be reviewed for consideration for this fellowship.   

Admission Application Requirements

• NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
• GRE® revised General Test
• Completion of bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in psychology, education, or closely-related field; or a Master’s or Ed.S. degree in Counseling or Psychology
• Transcripts
• Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent.
• 3 letters of recommendation with at least two from faculty
• Responses to specific essay questions
• Interview
• For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy
• International applicants have additional admission requirements.  Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy

Note: Students who do not have the prerequisites below will be expected to take these early in their programs of study by taking classes in one of the counseling or school psychology master-level programs:Graduate Level Courses:

• Group Counseling/Group Dynamics
• Human or Lifespan development

Graduate or upper level Undergraduate Courses:

• Psychological or Educational Statistics
• Applied Behavior Management
• Research Methods
• Special Education

Application Review Process

The materials in the applicant file are evaluated by faculty using an objective, multi-criteria system.  Points are assigned for each applicant using the following weighted percentages associated with each criteria:

1. 50% Academic Aptitude for Graduate Study (GRE scores and GPA),
2. 20% Essay Responses (autobiographical and professional interest questions*),
3. 5% Work Related Experiences (relevant paid and volunteer work),
4. 10% Potential to Contribute to Profession and Program (professional activities and letters of recommendation),
5. 15% Goodness of Fit to the Program (areas of focus congruence, fit to College of Education mission, and professional characteristics)

*Essay Questions

1. What are your long-term professional career goals? Please be sure to address the following components in your response. a. How will this Combined Counseling/School Psychology program, which trains students to address school and behavioral health needs of rural and Southwest communities through the application of research and practice, help you to achieve those goals? b. How have your background and experiences shaped your long-term goals?
2. Describe your experiences with diversity and how these experiences may have impacted you as a person and your decision to pursue this program at NAU.
3. Describe your research interests and explain how these interests align with one or more faculty members in the combined doctoral program.

Each applicant is ranked within the applicant pool after points have been assigned.  Highly-ranked candidates will be invited to participate in interviews.  Interviews will generally be held approximately one month after the application deadline.The interview will be worth 35 points (approximately 25% of the total points) and the average score from faculty interviewers will be added to the overall score (file review [100 points] + interview [35 points]).  Students scoring highest on a combination of the application and interview scores will be offered admission.  Approximately five to seven students will be admitted in a given year for the combined doctoral program.All applicants will be informed approximately two weeks in advance of the interview date.  At least two faculty members from the combined doctoral program area will be present during the telephone/video conference interview.Each interview will last for approximately twenty to thirty minutes.  All faculty members present will rate the applicant on a matrix related to the questions which focuses on specific characteristics relevant to doctoral training.

Requirements for Admitted Students

Individuals who are offered admission and accept the program offer must begin the program during the subsequent summer or fall semester.  In general, individuals unable to begin at this time must re-apply to the program.  Deferred enrollment is offered in rare circumstances.  The EPS Doctoral Steering committee will consider each request for deferred enrollment individually.Arizona state law requires that personnel who engage with minors or vulnerable adult populations have an IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  That requirement applies to graduate students in practical psychology experiences as well.  Admitted students will need the Identity Verified Fingerprint Clearance Card (IVP card) by the start of the fall semester.  You may request a packet directly from DPS by either calling (602) 223-2279 or faxing your request to (602) 223-2947.  Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  If you are in-state you may complete the online application and get digital fingerprints at a contracted Field Print site within Arizona.  The link to the agency that provides the fingerprint clearance is: http://www.azdps.gov/Services/Fingerprint/ 

The program of study (POS) is the agreed-upon plan for completing program requirements.  Current and previous programs of study may be downloaded from the NAU Graduate College Programs of Study webpage.  Students complete the POS with their advisers during the first semester of graduate work.  The POS is used as a verification document when students apply for graduation.  The original, signed POS, is submitted to the Educational Psychology department office and  placed in the student’s file.  In most cases, amendments to your POS can be made with your adviser’s approval.Please be aware that the necessary coursework for this plan is only available at the Northern Arizona University-Flagstaff Campus.

Prerequisites

Please be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take.  Course prerequisites are listed on the Program of Study form.  Students may also review the online catalog for selected courses where prerequisites are required.  Please check with the department or a faculty adviser if you have questions regarding prerequisites.In addition to course prerequisites, students who do not have the prerequisites below will be expected to take these early in their programs of study by taking classes in one of the counseling or school psychology master-level programs:Graduate Level Courses:

• Group Counseling/Group Dynamics
• Human or Lifespan development

Graduate or upper level Undergraduate Courses:

• Psychological or Educational Statistics
• Applied Behavior Management
• Research Methods
• Special Education

Notice regarding School Psychology Certification/Licensure

Students who wish to meet the requirements for school-based certification/licensure must either meet the requirements of the Ed.S. degree in school psychology OR complete a doctoral internship in a school-based setting.

Related Forms and Websites

When completing or revising the POS, the following documents may be useful:

• Combined PhD Recommended Sequence of Courses - provides the year/semester recommended sequence of courses for the Combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD Program
• Recommended Sequence of Courses with MA or EdS - provides the year/semester recommended sequence of courses for students with a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or EdS in School Psychology degree
• EPS Course Offerings by Semester - provides an overview of which courses are typically offered each term
• Program of Study Work Sheet - useful for translating the program of studies into a semester by semester plan

The following websites may also be useful when crafting the program of studies:

• Combined Counseling/School Psychology, PHD Academic Catalog Listing - provides a list of required courses with links to course descriptions
• Academic Catalog Policies - transfer credit, timelines, doctoral requirements, residency, and other policies

Student Admission, Outcomes and Other Data

Students in this doctoral program should follow the professional codes of ethics and licensure guidelines established by the following organizations:

Ethical Codes

• American Psychological Association 
• National Association of School Psychologists 

Licensure Guidelines

• Arizona: State of Arizona Board of Psychologists Examiners 
• Other States  and General Licensing Information:  Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards 

Sara Abercrombie, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Phone: 928-523-7148 Sara.Abercrombie@nau.edu  Dr. S. Abercrombie BioSaumya Arora, Ph.D, Assistant Clinical Professor Phone: 520-879-7931 Saumya.Arora@nau.edu Dr. S. Arora BioKathy Bohan, Ed.D., Associate Professor and COE Associate Dean Phone: 928-523-0362 Kathy.Bohan@nau.edu Dr. K. Bohan BioRebecca Campbell, Ph.D., Associate Professor Phone: 928-523-8225 Rebecca.Campbell@nau.edu Dr. R. Campbell BioJoyce DeVoss, Ph.D., Professor Phone: 520-879-7940 Joyce.DeVoss@nau.edu Dr. J. DeVoss BioLore M. Dickey, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Doctoral Training Director Phone: 928-523-4082 Lore.Dickey@nau.edu  Dr. L. Dickey BioSteve Farmer, Ph.D., Associate Clinical Professor Phone: 602-776-4646 Steve.Farmer@nau.edu Dr. S. Farmer BioLena Gaddis, Ph.D., Associate Professor Phone: 928-523-1895 Lena.Gaddis@nau.edu  Dr. L. Gaddis BioY. Evie Garcia, Ph.D., Associate Professor Phone: 928-523-7106 Y.Evie.Garcia@nau.edu Dr. Y. E. Garcia BioMelvin Hall, Ph.D., Professor Phone: 602-776-4612 Melvin.Hall@nau.edu Dr. M. Hall BioRobert Horn, Ph.D., Associate Professor and EPS Department Chair Phone: 928-523-0545 Robert.Horn@nau.edu  Dr. R. Horn BioKim Kalas, Ed.D., Assistant Clinical Professor Phone: 928-523-8206 Kim.Kalas@nau.edu  Dr. K. Kalas BioPit Kolodinsky, Ph.D., Professor and Program Coordinator Phone: 928-523-8495 Pit.Kolodinsky@nau.edu Dr. P. Kolodinsky BioKatie Koo, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Professor Phone: 928-523-5296 Katie.Koo@nau.edu Dr. K. Koo BioJieun Lee, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Phone: 928-523-8569 Ji-Eun.Lee@nau.edu Dr. J. Lee BioJohn McClure, Ph.D., Associate Professor Phone: 928-523-0578 John.McClure@nau.edu  Dr. J. McClure BioMichael Mellott, Ed.D., Assistant Clinical Professor Phone: 928-523-4183 Michael.J.Mellott@nau.edu Dr. M. Mellott BioRamona Mellott, Ph.D., Professor and COE Dean Phone: 928-523-6534 Ramona.Mellott@nau.edu  Dr. R. Mellott BioGene Moan, Ed.D., Professor Phone: 928-523-9604 Eugene.Moan@nau.edu  Dr. E. Moan BioLisa L. Persinger, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator Phone: 928-523-6556 Lisa.Persinger@nau.edu  Dr. L. Persinger BioTrina Spencer, Ph.D., Associate Research Professor Phone: 928-523-8103 Trina.Spencer@nau.edu  Dr. T. Spencer BioTim Thomason, Ed.D., Professor Phone: 928-523-1341 Timothy.Thomason@nau.edu Dr. T. Thomason BioPatricia Young, Ed.D., Assistant Clinical Professor Phone: 602-776-4673 Patricia.Young@nau.edu Dr. P. Young Bio