Middle school psychologist with student

Ph.D. School Psychology & School Psychologist Certification

Academics

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  
See All Requirements

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. 

Your best work is ahead.

Training Objectives

  1. Produce school psychologists who demonstrate knowledge and applied competencies in core psychological areas.
  2. Produce school psychologists who are knowledgeable and competent in contextual and cultural influences relevant to children’s development, academic achievement and behavioral health.
  3. Produce school psychologists who are knowledgeable and competent in conducting and communicating research design, psychometrics and data analysis.
  4. Produce school psychologists who demonstrate knowledge and skills in assessment, intervention and consultation procedures for academic, behavioral and developmental concerns.
  5. 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 numbercourse name
SchP 496Doctoral Seminar in School Psychology 
OR
SpEd 490Doctoral 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 numbercourse name
Individual Differences (6) 
Educ 402Developmental Psychology 
SchP 418Children in Context

course numbercourse name
Educ 451Developmental Psychology 

course numbercourse name
Educ 474Behavioral Neuroscience 

course numbercourse name
Educ 473Social Basis of Human Behavior 

course numbercourse name
Educ 491History & Systems of Psychology

course numbercourse name
Required courses
Educ 410Univariate Statistical Models
Educ 411Multivariate Statistical Models
Educ 412Advanced Applications of Psychometric Principles
Educ 461Single Subject Research Design
Educ 413Hierarchical Linear Modeling
OR
Educ 414Intro to SEM & Longitudinal Data Analysis
AND
SchP 406Research Methods & Design
SchP 408*Dissertation Proposal Seminar
Educ 486Doctoral Qualifying Research Project
Educ 499Dissertation 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 numbercourse name
Educ 405Qualitative Research
Educ 416Quasi-experimentation and Program Eval
Educ 460Program Evaluation
Educ 495Independent Study: Research (up to 9 credits)

course numbercourse name
EdL 400Introduction to Organizational Leadership
SchP 402Applied Behavior Analysis
SchP 404Introduction to School Psychology
SchP 407Crisis Management in Schools
SchP 412Consultation Procedures
SchP 422Assessment of Cognition and Achievement
SchP 423Social Emotional and Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
SchP 425Academic Assessment and Intervention
SchP 426Advanced School and Family Interventions
SchP 432Assessment of Cognition & Achievement Practicum (1 credit)
SchP 435School-based practicum (2 credits)
SchP 437Advanced Child Psychopathology
SchP 442Doctoral Practicum in School Psychology (4 credits)
SchP 444Doctoral Internship (2 credits)

course numbercourse name
CPsy 438School-based Small-group Counseling
CPsy 439Theory and Practice of Group Counseling
CPsy 440Intro to Family Counseling
CPsy 442Counseling & Therapeutic Approaches
CPsy 445School Counseling I
CPsy 451Helping Skills
Others by advisor approval

course numbercourse name
SpEd 332Education and Inclusion for Individuals With Special Needs
SpEd 409K-12 Classroom Environment & Management
SpEd 418Alternative Curricula Approaches
SpEd 419Intensive Intervention in Reading
SpEd 421Academic Interventions Secondary Level
SpEd 432Positive Behavior Support
SpEd 465Advanced Inclusionary Practices K-12
Others by advisor approval

course numbercourse name
Pediatric/Health Specialization 
SchP 438Health/Pediatric Psychology
SchP 439Comprehensive School Health Programs
Educ 491Advanced Seminar: Clinical Psychopharmacology

*Note: Practicum requires 480 clock hours in pediatric setting 

course numbercourse name
EdL 432Special Education Special Law 
EdL 479School 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

Faculty and Staff

Documents