The Doctor of Philosophy degree program with a major in School Psychology is designed to equip psychologists with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to provide quality psychological services to children, youth, and families in multiple settings, as well as to conduct research in related areas. The program includes a planned sequence of course work in school psychology and supporting disciplines, complimented by practica and internship experiences. Students in the program receive the training necessary to become both a certified school psychologist in Michigan, as well as a nationally certified school psychologist. Students are also license-eligible as psychologists, pending completion of state-level licensure requirements.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in School Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The doctoral program is also approved the Michigan Department of Education. Students who are enrolled in the program are expected to abide by the ethical principles of the APA and NASP.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Education, students must meet the requirements specified below.
School Psychology - Doctor of Philosophy at Michigan State University
Michigan State University offers the PhD of School Psychology - Doctor of Philosophy as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in East Lansing , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 5 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for school psychology - doctor of philosophy and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on July 5, 2027.
About School Psychology - Doctor of Philosophy
Requirements and Admission Criteria for School Psychology - Doctor of Philosophy at Michigan State University
Entry Requirements
To be admitted to the doctoral program in school psychology, applicants must submit both the university application forms and applicable application fee, and must have:
- A bachelor’s degree in education or psychology, or in a related field. A master’s degree or a teaching certificate is not required, but evidence of experience working with children, youth, and families in school, community, agency, or research settings is desirable.
- A grade-point average of 3.0 or higher in the last two years of the bachelor’s degree program.
- A grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in courses taken at the master’s degree level or beyond.
- Professional goals and interests compatible with the program objectives and philosophy as evident in an applicant's statement of Professional Goals and Experiences, as judged by the faculty.
- Strong personal recommendations from individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic performance and ability to work effectively with people, as judged by the faculty.
- Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test. This typically means scores in the above average range.
- Evidence of previous research experience such as a master’s thesis or scholarly paper, work on a research project, publication in a professional journal, or presentation at a professional conference.
- A writing sample.
- An on-campus, web, or equivalent interview.
- A completed Criminal Background Statement of Understanding Form.
- A resume or curriculum vita.
Persons are admitted to the program once a year with enrollment starting fall semester. The deadline for submitting applications for is December 1st for the following fall semester.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in School Psychology
The student must meet the requirements specified below. Students who hold an Educational Specialist or a Master of Arts degree in School Psychology may already meet some of these requirements. Student's doctoral plans must be approved by faculty and be consistent with the following requirements.
- Educational Inquiry and Research. Complete 16 credits of course work which includes quantitative methods and research design as approved by the student’s guidance committee. Students must complete the following course in fulfillment of this requirement:
CEP 995 Practicum in Research Design and Data Analysis 3 - Psychological Foundations: Complete 15 credits of course work which includes history of psychology, development across the lifespan, social aspects of behavior, cognitive aspects of behavior, and biological bases of behavior as approved by the student’s guidance committee.
- Theoretical Foundations. Complete 6 credits of course work which includes ethics and psychotherapy as approved by the student’s guidance committee.
- School Psychology. Complete 45 credits of course work which includes assessment, intervention, consultation, behavior disorders, theoretical foundations of school psychology, and field based experience as approved by the student’s guidance committee.
- Family Elective. Complete 3 credits of course work which includes parenting children with disabilities or family systems as approved by the student’s guidance committee.
- Internship. Complete a field-based internship related to school psychology that must extend over a full calendar year and consist of at least 2,000 supervised clock hours of practice.
- Complete at least 3 credits in CEP 994K Internship in Ph.D. School Psychology, for supervision purposes, during the time of the internship.
- Successful completion and defense of the dissertation. Students may not earn more than 30 credits in CEP 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research, of which 24 credits are required.
English Requirements
- PTEMin 53
- IELTSMin 6.5
- TOEFLMin 79
English Program Requirements
Due to cancellations of many international English language proficiency tests, MSU will be temporarily accepting the following tests for international students applying for fall semester 2022. In addition, MSU will be expanding the ability for students to receive provisional admission. If a provisionally admitted student is able to take a test that meets our regular admission standards prior to enrollment, we will update their admission status to regular.
Tuition and Fee Information for School Psychology - Doctor of Philosophy at Michigan State University
How to Apply for School Psychology - Doctor of Philosophy at Michigan State University
Request that all secondary schools, colleges, universities attended and/or examination boards send original or attested copies of all transcripts, marks sheets, certificates and diplomas earned directly to the Office of Admissions at Michigan State University. These can be sent through the online services listed below or by mail. If sending by mail, any hard copy of academic records must be sent in an official, sealed envelope.
Parchment
Common App
Coalition for College
Naviance
eScrip-Safe
National Student Clearing House
Office of Admissions
Hannah Administration Building
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604
In addition, if the original documents are not issued in English, an official translation of each document must be provided along with the original language documents. Translations may be done by the school, college or university attended or an authorized/official translator in the country of study. Review MSU's International transcript requirements for country-specific transcript information.
Note: Documents submitted to MSU as part of the application process will not be returned.
As a freshman you do not have to officially declare your major yet, however you will be asked to select your major preference on the application. If you are undecided, select the "Exploratory preference" option.
Changing your major preference
After submitting the application, fall freshman applicants have until May 1 to change their major preference in their account. Any student who applies, or is admitted, after May 1 cannot change their major preference until they meet with an academic adviser at New Student Orientation (NSO).
Have the testing agency (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, MSUELT or MELAB accepted) provide proof of English proficiency directly to MSU if your first language is not English. MSU's TOEFL code is 1465. MSU is test optional, which means international students are encouraged, though not required, to submit SAT or ACT scores. The SAT code is 1465; the ACT code is 2032.
Review our full overview on English language proficiency for details on temporary exceptions due to the impact of the novel coronavirus — including additional tests being accepted and expanded opportunities for provisional admission.
United States of America, East Lansing