Doctor in School Psychology Program Goals

Each of the goals in the Psy.D. program in School Psychology derives from the program philosophy and commitment to providing best practices in educational settings.

  1. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of nurturing a strong ethical base in its students as applied to practice of school psychology.

  2. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of training students in research strategies that are applicable to program evaluation in schools.

  3. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of training students in the areas of cultural and human diversity, biases, and social processes as they apply to the practice of school psychology.

  4. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of training students in formal consultation strategies that foster positive interactions in school contexts.

  5. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of teaching students individual and group strategies to promote prosocial behaviors in school settings.

  6. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of teaching advanced assessment strategies.

  7. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of fostering skill acquisition in the areas of diagnosis, program prevention/intervention, and crisis management.

  8. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of teaching the skills necessary to evaluate educational outcomes, including quantitative and qualitative approaches to problem inquiry and investigation.

  9. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of supporting student research and professional initiatives.

  10. The Psy.D. program is committed to providing students with predoctoral foundation for license eligibility in Pennsylvania.

PROGRAM COMPETENCIES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Students are expected to acquire the following competencies through their program of study.

  1. Demonstrate skill in the application of ethical reasoning and legal principles to school psychology settings.

  2. Demonstrate skill in using research strategies applicable to program evaluation in schools.

  3. Demonstrate knowledge and application of cultural diversity, bias and other social processes applied to educational settings and decision making.

  4. Demonstrate understanding and skill in implementation of consultative strategies.

  5. Demonstrate the ability to implement individual and group strategies.

  6. Demonstrate understanding of problems through use of assessment techniques; strategies and techniques for evaluating risk for mild and serious disturbances; learning disorders; and other student problems in relation to school adjustment.

  7. Demonstrate skill in program prevention, intervention, and crisis management.

  8. Demonstrate skills needed to evaluate educational outcomes.

  9. Demonstrate ability to offer scholarly research contribution.

  10. Demonstrate an understanding of foundation bases and skills prerequisite to the independent practice of professional school psychology.