Contact the Department of Educational Psychology

Educational Psychology – School Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy

Note: The doctoral programs in Educational Psychology – Counseling Psychology and Educational Psychology – School Psychology are being phased out and no longer accepting new students. Students interested in doctoral programs in psychology are encouraged to apply to the PhD Combined Counseling/School Psychology program.

Program description

This 109-hour program prepares you to function as a well-rounded generalist in school psychology, a trainer of other school psychologists, and/or as a researcher. This program is fully approved by National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) through 2021 (first approved in 1998). This program also meets the criteria of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.

Accreditation status

Thank you for your interest in our doctoral programs. Northern Arizona University’s doctoral programs in Educational Psychology – Counseling Psychology, and Educational Psychology – School Psychology, are not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). However, NAU does have an new doctoral program, Combined Counseling/School Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy that has been granted initial accreditation, on contingency, by the American Psychological Association (APA). For more information, please see the Combined Counseling/School Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy degree page.

There have been some very important developments concerning our Educational Psychology – Counseling Psychology and Educational Psychology – School Psychology programs that you should be aware of. Please carefully review the following statement.

Statement regarding NAU’s doctoral program

Additional helpful information

There is an increasing need for the provision of school psychological services in a broad array of settings including:

schools
workplaces
school-based and school linked health centers
medical, social service, and correctional facilities

Our doctoral program reflects a training curriculum that is sequential, cumulative, and graded in complexity.

At the core of the school psychology training program at Northern Arizona University is the integration of theory, research, and practice rooted in psychology and education. We believe that this core is best realized using a scientist-practitioner training model that includes a systematic analysis of human behavior, careful applications of best practice, and a methodical evaluation of the effectiveness of these applications.

We emphasize conducting ecologically valid assessments and interventions that promote positive learning and healthy development for individuals from birth to young adulthood from diverse backgrounds. This emphasis involves working collaboratively with families, teachers, parents, other adults, and professionals from various organizations and agencies. School psychologists are trained to provide:

comprehensive assessment of abilities, achievement, social and emotional functioning, personality, developmental status, and eligibility status
primary and secondary prevention services
crisis intervention services
consultation, supervision, professional development, and designing of comprehensive and integrated services
educational evaluation services.

References

APA Division 16-Division of School Psychology. (2003). Goals and objectives. Retrieved February 28, 2003, from the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs website.

National Association of School Psychologists. (2003). What is a school psychologist? Retrieved February 28, 2003, from the National Association of School Psychologists website.

Our school psychology training program has two unique specialty areas of training.

First, our program capitalizes on the ethnocultural diversity of Northern Arizona and its rural environment by providing you with the opportunity to participate in practica with Native American and Hispanic children within their school, family, and community contexts.

A second area of opportunity for gaining specialized expertise is working with individuals who have developmental disabilities and their families. You’ll receive specialized course work in disabilities and have opportunities to collaborate with the Institute for Human Development (IHD).

To prepare psychologists who have a comprehensive foundation in the core and foundational areas of psychology. Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge competencies in:
1. biological bases of behavior
2. cognitive and affective bases of behavior
3. social aspects of behavior
4. history and systems of psychology
5. human development
To prepare psychologists who use ethical decision-making and responsible professional behavior and who apply best practices in school psychology assessment, intervention, prevention, health promotion, program development, and evaluation services when working with children, youth, families, learners of all ages, and the schooling process. Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge and skill competencies in:
1. professional standards and ethics
2. theories and methods of psychological measurement
3. assessment using individual, group, and systems techniques
4. effective interventions with children and families including evaluating their efficacy
5. collaboration with children, family, school, and community-based personnel providing health care provision
6. individual and cultural diversity
7. dysfunctional behavior or psychopathology
8. specialized assessment and intervention designed for young children with developmental disabilities and other handicapping conditions
9. specialized assessment and intervention for Native American children within their school, family, and community contexts
To prepare psychologists who have thorough knowledge and skills in analytical and quantitative methods to effectively consume and generate empirical evidence associated with school psychology theory and practices. Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge and skill competencies in:
1. research methodology
2. techniques of data analysis
3. understanding the influence of professional practice on the science of psychology
4. program and service evaluation theory and practice
5. the application of research methodology and techniques of data analysis during each year of training
To prepare psychologists who demonstrate the ability to train others in the content and skill areas of school psychology and provide effective prevention, psycho-education, and consultation methods with individuals, families, groups, members of environmental systems, and other professionals. Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge and skill competencies in:
1. pedagogical theory and methods
2. theories and techniques in prevention and psycho-education
3. theories and practice of consultation and supervision
To prepare psychologists who integrate theory, research, and practice and apply their expertise in a variety of settings with diverse persons having varied problems and needs. Students will acquire and demonstrate the knowledge and skill competencies in:
1. applying scientific theory and methods to assessment, intervention, training, prevention, psycho-education, and consultation
2. integrating psychological theory, research, and practice in applied settings during each year of training

For this degree, you must complete 109 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Additional classes may be required to obtain the certification of Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP).
The degree minimally requires two years of coursework post-master’s, a preliminary examination, comprehensive examinations, a one-year internship (1,500 hours), and completion of a dissertation.
This is a Flagstaff-based program and most of the necessary coursework is available only on the Flagstaff campus during fall and spring semesters.
You must complete at least two consecutive semesters of full-time residency during fall and spring semesters.

Prerequisites

Please 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.

Clinical hours

Please review the clinical hours table for the number of practicum hours and internship hours required in clinical, testing, and intervention Educational Psychology classes.

The program of studies is the agreed-upon plan between you and your faculty adviser on completing program requirements.

It is used as a verification document when you apply for graduation. You should complete the program of studies with your adviser during the first semester of graduate work.

The original, signed program of studies should be given to the Department Chair to be placed in your file in the Educational Psychology Department and you and your adviser should both keep copies.

Amendments to your program of studies can be made with your adviser’s approval.

The timeline policy and residency policies for Doctoral degree can be viewed through the Graduate College.

Related forms

EPS course offerings by semester

Educational Psychology – School Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy Program of Studies – CURRENT

Program of studies work sheet

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

State of Arizona Board of Psychologists Examiners

National Association of School Psychologists

American Psychological Association, Inc.

State of Arizona Department of Education

Dr. Lena Gaddis, Associate Professor
Phone: 928-523-1895
Email
Dr. L. Gaddis Bio