Program Requirements

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The curriculum is designed so that students can complete the doctoral program requirements after approximately five years of graduate study beyond the baccalaureate degree (inclusive of a full year internship, which is 2000 close hours). Participating on grants or other specialized training programs, including the BCBA, may extend time in the program; however, students still need to complete all degree requirements by the end of the 7th year. Any student entering their 8th year without scheduled dissertation defense in the first two weeks of fall semester will be required to register for full time study (9 hours minimum) for both fall and spring semesters and graduate by the end of summer semester of that year.   

Course Requirements

Scientific and Professional Standards and Ethics (6 Hours)

 

Individual Differences (6 Hours)

Biological Bases of Behavior (3 Hours)

Research Design, Statistics, and Measurement (Minimum of 9 Hours)

*Required

Research Design (Minimum of 3 Hours) - Pick One

Psychological and Educational Assessment (Minimum of 10 Hours) (Required)

Other Relevant Assessment Courses (optional):

• ED PS 7190 – Applied Neuropsychological Assessment (doctoral students encouraged to take) (3)
• ED PS 7180 – Personality Assessment (3)

Intervention Strategies (Required) (Minimum of 17 Hours)

Other Relevant Assessment Courses (electives):

• ED PS 7529 - Changing Children’s Behavior Using Positive Methods (offered fall semester) (3)
• ED PS 6200 – Counseling Theories and Procedures (offered fall semester) (3)
• ED PS 6210 – Counseling Skills (offered fall semester) (3)
• ED PS 7250 – Family and Couple Counseling (offered fall semester) (3)
• ED PS 6350 – Group Counseling Theory and Application (offered spring semester) (3)

Other School Psychology and Specialization Courses (Required) (Minimum of 27 Hours)

Doctoral Research (Minimum of 18 Hours)

*Required

Course Sequencing

Please attend to the following important curriculum issues:

*BCBA specific courses and activities. For students participating in the BCBA program, however, note that three of the regularly required SP doctoral courses also count towards the BCBA: EP 7390 Interventions, EP 7838 ASD Interventions, and EP 7839 ASD Interventions Practicum).

Substitute Options: students who are conducting single subject studies are advised to take EP 7410, Single Subject Research, or a comparable Single Subject class in Spec Ed Dept. Be sure to check departmental schedules before attempting to register since some courses may not be taught each year, including EP 7190, Neuropsychological Assessment, which is an Elective and taught in alternating years.

Students completing specialized grant training will be required to enroll in additional seminars or courses associated with goals and objectives of each grant activity.

School Psychology Preliminary Qualifying Examination (SPPQE)

Students must pass the SPPQE before scheduling their dissertation colloquium or applying for the APPIC internship.

• Timing: Must be taken by Fall of Year 4. Offered twice a year: early Fall (Aug/Sept) and Spring (April). Register at least 2 weeks in advance. Students on approved leave cannot take the exam.
• Eligibility:
  1. Master’s degree awarded (from UU or accredited university)
  2. Doctoral Program of Study filed
  3. Dissertation Chair selected and approved exam application
• Exam Components:
  • Portfolio: Includes reports, intervention case study, reflection, goals statement, CV, and proof of conference presentation & manuscript submission
  • Oral Defense: Focused on the intervention case study
• Passing Requirements:
  • Portfolio: Avg. score of ≥2
  • Oral Defense: Avg. score of ≥3
• Retakes:
  • One retake allowed without permission
  • A second retake requires documentation of extenuating circumstances
  • After second failure, student must meet with Director of Training to discuss alternative degree options

Practice and Research Sites

Utah School Districts with Current and Past Intern Placements

• Alpine School District
• Canyons School District
• Davis School District
• Granite School District
• Jordan School District
• Murray School District
• Ogden School District
• Salt Lake City School District
• Tooele County School District
• Ogden School District
• Washington County School District

Licensure Information

Upon completing the program, students are eligible to apply for State licensure as a School Psychologist. This process must be initiated by the student. Applications are available form the department's administrative assistant. Licensure is granted through the Utah State Office of Education. The majority of students who complete degrees in School Psychology apply for this license, in fact, this is required if students want to work in Utah schools.

Apply for an Educator License in Utah

Students are also eligible for licensure in any state in the US:

STATE/TERRITORY Educational REQUIREMENTS DISCLOSURE

Students who have completed a Ph.D. degree, and have completed all required field work (e.g., a 4000 total hour supervised pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral supervised fellowship) can apply to take the Psychology Licensure exam. Students must initiate this on their own through the State of Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). Current psychology licensing laws for the State of Utah may be found at the DOPL website. In Utah, additional supervised internship hours beyond those required for the degree (i.e., 2000 hours) may be documented and accumulated prior to the completion of other degree requirements only if they are post-Education Specialists and meet the standards for supervision, etc. Note that 1000 of the hours must be "mental health" hours (e.g., direct service to clients/students). All supervision must be by a licensed psychologist eligible by the State to supervise (i.e., licensed for 2 or more years). APA accreditation standards also require two hours of face to face individual supervision each week.