The Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology (Psy.D.) is built upon our successful and National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approved Specialist in School Psychology Program (Psy.S.).

The Psy.D. in School Psychology Program provides a comprehensive plan of advanced studies with the fundamental commitment to develop competent doctoral-level school psychologists who possess a sub-specialization in serving deaf and hard of hearing children as well as other school age children and skilled in the delivery of multiple services in a variety of settings (e.g. schools, private practice, hospitals, clinics, universities, etc.) The Psy.D. in School Psychology Program integrates respect for diversity in theory and practice, basic and advanced psychological principles, consultative and interventionist skills, data-based and problem-solving approaches, and scholarly and research-based learning that advance the field of school psychology and the practice with school age students. The program is anchored in the Practitioner-Scholar model, the goal of which is to develop and produce practitioners informed by research and whose training prioritizes the acquisition of practical and hands-on-experiences.

The Psy.D. program in School Psychology will require completion of 97 graduate semester hours, including extensive practicum and internship experiences. The program generally will require four years to complete. The first year includes a 31-credit sequence of courses in psychology and related areas, courses in American Sign Language (ASL), and successful completion of comprehensive examinations. Successful completion of these requirements results in the Master of Arts degree in Developmental Psychology with a Specialty in Working with Deaf Children. The post-Masters (or 2nd– 3rd years) portion of the program requires an additional 67-semester credit sequence of courses emphasizing school psychological services, content areas, extensive advanced practicum/externship experience, and a yearlong applied research project. The fourth year of the program requires a 12-credit, full-time school psychology internship, served in a school or school/clinical setting anywhere in the United States, the completion of two Internship Comprehensive Intervention Case Studies, and taking the Praxis national exam.

For the program of study, requirements, and list of courses for the Psy.D. in School Psychology, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Core faculty: Sherry Eyer Ph.D., Tania Thomas-Presswood Ph.D. and Robert Whitaker, Psy.D.

Program Support Specialist: Renee' Smith

For more information: Email Dr. Tania Thomas-Presswood, School Psychology Program Director, or call 202-651-5540 (V).