Ph. D. School Psychology Program: Description
The principal goal of the doctoral program is the training of a psychologist who, in addition to possessing general practitioner skills, has developed proficiency in the areas of advanced intervention, consultation, research, and evaluation. Fundamental to the development of this training program is the model of the psychologist as consultant to the entire education process. Doctoral graduates, in addition to being eligible for licensure as psychologists and school psychologists, may also be qualified to assume positions as administrators (with additional course work), psychotherapists, university professors, educational evaluators, and private consultants.
Because of the program's unique setting in the School of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education and the College of Education and Behavioral Studies, students have the opportunity to work closely with Counseling Psychology, Counselor Education and Supervision, Psychology, Educational Psychology and Special Education faculty. The University of Northern Colorado is the primary training institution for educators in Colorado, and thus houses numerous educational support facilities as well as faculty with a variety of skills.
The doctoral program in school psychology is completed in an average of 4.3 years (Mdn. = 3.4) for students entering with a master’s of Ed.S. degree, and 6.7 years (Mdn. = 6.4) for students entering with a bachelor’s degree. The following table provides more information about completion timelines:
| Number of Years to Complete Program | Percentage of Students (N=32) |
| Less than 5 | 33 |
| 5 | 13 |
| 6 | 10 |
| 7 | 13 |
| More than 7 | 30% |
Over the last 7 years, the attrition rate for the program has been 12%.
Our doctoral students are very successful at obtaining internship placements with quality training. The following table provides more information about internships for our students over the last 7 years:
|
Number of Students | Percentage of Students |
| Obtained Internship | 32 | 100 |
| Obtained Paid Internship | 32 | 100 |
| Obtained APPIC Member Internship* | 10 | 31.25 |
| Obtained APA-Accredited Internship* | 9 | 28.13 |
| Obtained Internship That Meets CDSPP Guidelines | 10 | 31.25 |
| Completed a 1/2-Time Internship | 1 | 3.13 |
* 10 students applied for an APPIC member internship, for a placement rate of 100%