The Ph.D. program in School Psychology at Lehigh is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists.
Overview
The Ph.D. program in School Psychology is full-time, with a typical course load of about 10-credits per semester, including some field experiences. Those are woven throughout the program with more intensive practicums and internships required in the last three years. Students have several options for developing specialized expertise.
With extensive backgrounds in research and practice, our faculty possess expertise in several areas, including mental health and behavioral disorders, autism, ADHD, identification of risk and variables that support educational resilience, early intervention, assessment and data based decision-making, and improving early childhood education for ethnic minority and low-income children.
Doctoral candidates work with their advisors to develop a qualifying research project and have other opportunities to conduct research on their own or with faculty. In addition to taking a comprehensive exam, candidates research and write a dissertation and complete an internship to earn their Ph.D.
Application Requirements
- Online application
- Transcripts, minimum GPA of 3.0 (undergraduate)
- Proof of English proficiency
- Two letters of recommendation with at least one from a faculty member of an accredited academic institution
- Personal statement
- Acknowledgement of understanding of the College of Education Policy on Clearances
Quick Facts
Transcript Evaluations: Evaluations are required for applicants who have earned a degree outside the U.S.
Deadline(s): December 1 for fall start. The application and all supporting materials are due by the listed deadline.
Modality: On-Campus
Course Requirements: 32 courses (102 credits)
Typical Course Load: This is a full-time program and students typically take 10 credits during fall, spring and summer semesters.
Time to Completion: 5-6 years
Practical Experience Component: Field experiences are woven throughout the program with a more intensive practica and internship required in the last three years.
Program Alumni: Alumni of Lehigh’s Ph.D. program work as school psychologists and pediatric school psychologists in schools, health care settings and community organizations.
Training Objectives
- Produce school psychologists who demonstrate knowledge and applied competencies in core psychological areas.
- Produce school psychologists who are knowledgeable and competent in contextual and cultural influences relevant to children’s development, academic achievement and behavioral health.
- Produce school psychologists who are knowledgeable and competent in conducting and communicating research design, psychometrics and data analysis.
- Produce school psychologists who demonstrate knowledge and skills in assessment, intervention and consultation procedures for academic, behavioral and developmental concerns.
- Produce school psychologists who are knowledgeable of and practice according to professional, ethical and legal standards.
Curriculum
All courses are 3 credits, unless otherwise noted. Course descriptions can be found in the course catalog.
course number | course name |
---|---|
SchP 496 | Doctoral Seminar in School Psychology |
OR | |
SpEd 490 | Doctoral Seminar in Special Education |
*Please note: Students may substitute a course in their area of individual specialization for a doctoral seminar with advisor approval; for example, students with an individual specialization in pediatric health school psychology take 9 credits that substitute for these seminars.
course number | course name |
---|---|
Individual Differences (6) | |
Educ 402 | Developmental Psychology |
SchP 418 | Children in Context |
course number | course name |
---|---|
Educ 451 | Developmental Psychology |
course number | course name |
---|---|
Educ 474 | Behavioral Neuroscience |
course number | course name |
---|---|
Educ 473 | Social Basis of Human Behavior |
course number | course name |
---|---|
Educ 491 | History & Systems of Psychology |
course number | course name |
---|---|
Required courses | |
Educ 410 | Univariate Statistical Models |
Educ 411 | Multivariate Statistical Models |
Educ 412 | Advanced Applications of Psychometric Principles |
Educ 461 | Single Subject Research Design |
Educ 413 | Hierarchical Linear Modeling |
OR | |
Educ 414 | Intro to SEM & Longitudinal Data Analysis |
AND | |
SchP 406 | Research Methods & Design |
SchP 408* | Dissertation Proposal Seminar |
Educ 486 | Doctoral Qualifying Research Project |
Educ 499 | Dissertation Project (hours as necessary) |
*Please note: In the event that the SchP 408 is not offered and there is not another section (e.g, CPSY) of Dissertation Proposal Seminar available, students may enroll in 3 credits of Educ 499 Dissertation.
course number | course name |
---|---|
Educ 405 | Qualitative Research |
Educ 416 | Quasi-experimentation and Program Eval |
Educ 460 | Program Evaluation |
Educ 495 | Independent Study: Research (up to 9 credits) |
course number | course name |
---|---|
EdL 400 | Introduction to Organizational Leadership |
SchP 402 | Applied Behavior Analysis |
SchP 404 | Introduction to School Psychology |
SchP 407 | Crisis Management in Schools |
SchP 412 | Consultation Procedures |
SchP 422 | Assessment of Cognition and Achievement |
SchP 423 | Social Emotional and Behavioral Assessment and Intervention |
SchP 425 | Academic Assessment and Intervention |
SchP 426 | Advanced School and Family Interventions |
SchP 432 | Assessment of Cognition & Achievement Practicum (1 credit) |
SchP 435 | School-based practicum (2 credits) |
SchP 437 | Advanced Child Psychopathology |
SchP 442 | Doctoral Practicum in School Psychology (4 credits) |
SchP 444 | Doctoral Internship (2 credits) |
course number | course name |
---|---|
CPsy 438 | School-based Small-group Counseling |
CPsy 439 | Theory and Practice of Group Counseling |
CPsy 440 | Intro to Family Counseling |
CPsy 442 | Counseling & Therapeutic Approaches |
CPsy 445 | School Counseling I |
CPsy 451 | Helping Skills |
Others by advisor approval |
course number | course name |
---|---|
SpEd 332 | Education and Inclusion for Individuals With Special Needs |
SpEd 409 | K-12 Classroom Environment & Management |
SpEd 418 | Alternative Curricula Approaches |
SpEd 419 | Intensive Intervention in Reading |
SpEd 421 | Academic Interventions Secondary Level |
SpEd 432 | Positive Behavior Support |
SpEd 465 | Advanced Inclusionary Practices K-12 |
Others by advisor approval |
course number | course name |
---|---|
Pediatric/Health Specialization | |
SchP 438 | Health/Pediatric Psychology |
SchP 439 | Comprehensive School Health Programs |
Educ 491 | Advanced Seminar: Clinical Psychopharmacology |
*Note: Practicum requires 480 clock hours in pediatric setting
course number | course name |
---|---|
EdL 432 | Special Education Special Law |
EdL 479 | School Law and Ethics |
Others by advisor approval. |
Accreditation
Questions related to the program’s APA accreditation status should be directed to APA’s commission on accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 1st. St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. Phone: (202) 336-5979; email: apacred@apa.org; website: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
Documents
- PhD Manual of Policies and Procedures 2023-24
- Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data 2024
- Program Annual Report and Student Outcomes Data
APA accredited, NASP Fully Accredited