Northeastern University’s PhD Program in School Psychology is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in school psychology. Students learn how to conduct research, to use research to inform practice, and to contribute to the scientific foundation of professional practice.
In The News
The Doctoral Program in School Psychology is a full-time program that prepares the next generation of leaders in the field. Doctoral level school psychologists conduct research, teach, supervise students and professionals, consult with school systems, teachers and families, and provide direct services to children. School psychologists also play a central role in planning and evaluating school-based educational and health promotion programs.
Northeastern’s doctoral program includes all components of the MS/CAGS in School Psychology in addition to a major focus on research and additional fieldwork experiences. The doctoral program espouses a scientist-practitioner training model, as set forth by the American Psychological Association (APA). The program is fully accredited by the APA and National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). It is designed for students to meet state and national certification requirements for school psychology and pursue state licensure for psychologists. The program emphasizes applied research related to the education, development, and health promotion of children, and scientifically-based practice in urban schools, community centers, and hospitals. The program has three principal themes and five major training goals, which are described below.
- Optional specializations in Early Intervention and Applied Behavior Analysis
- Students can enter the program from a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
- Students complete a 75-hour pre-practicum, a 200-hour supervised practicum experience, two 600-hour supervised advanced fieldwork experiences, and a one-year pre-doctoral internship
- Students complete a mentored research project in the first two years in the program under the guidance of their doctoral advisor
- Ph.D. students must complete and defend a dissertation that involves original research
Students in this program are trained to meet both APA and NASP standards. As in Northeastern’s NASP approved MS/CAGS program in school psychology, the doctoral program is designed to produce school psychologists who have a strong foundation across the following domains of school psychology training and practice as delineated by NASP:
- Data-Based Decision-Making and Accountability
- Consultation and Collaboration
- Interventions and Instructional Support to Develop Academic Skills
- Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills
- School-Wide Practices to Promote Safe and Effective Learning Environment
- Preventive and Early Intervention; Crisis Response
- Family–School Collaboration Services
- Diversity in Development and Learning
- Research and Program Evaluation
- Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice
Northeastern’s School Psychology PhD Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). Northeastern’s School Psychology PhD Program is also fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists.
Below is a look at where our Psychology & Mental Health alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
Where They Work
- Universities
- K-12 Public Education settings
- Educational and behavioral consulting agencies
- School-based clinics
What They Do
- Assessment
- Prevention
- Intervention
- Consultation with parents, teachers and schools
- Implementation science
- Train graduate students
- Conduct research
What They’re Skilled At
- Data-based decision making
- School systems change
- Leadership
- Social justice advocacy
- Research
- Teaching
- Dissemination of scientific practices
Application Materials
- Application
- Application fee – US $100
- Three letters of recommendation
- Transcripts from all institutions attended
- Personal Statement
- Resumé
- TOEFL or IELTS for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English
- Personal interview with faculty and current students
- Official GRE scores are optional