Graduate Bulletin

School Psychology, Ph.D.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 2

Applications are evaluated together after the deadline.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 3

From Whom: Anyone familiar with the applicant's competence may write a letter. Preference is given to letters from college or university faculty members.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

TBA

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

No.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

No.

Statement of Goals:

The applicant should indicate his or her goals and objectives in obtaining a Ph.D. degree. This statement is evaluated against the program's mission. A typical goal statement contains the following items: the student's reason for seeking a Ph.D. degree with a specific focus on the career to which the student aspires; the student's research and practice interests; academic and job related experiences relevant to the program. A typical goal statement is 2 to 3 pages in length.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GRE is required. While there is no specific range, it is generally expected that the scores will be no less than 500 in each of the areas.

The GRE Subject Exam in Psychology is required.

Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted: 600 on the paper-based test or 250 on the computer-based test.

Interview:

Applicants who are considered qualified after an evaluation of their application materials are called in for an interview. A member of the admission committee coordinates the interviews. The process involves a combination of group and individual interviews. Advanced graduate students participate in the interview process.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Writing Sample:

A writing sample must be supplied if the applicant is called for an interview.

Advanced Standing:

The advisor makes the decision about advanced standing during the student's first semester in the program. The advisor evaluates the credits the student has taken according to the relevance to and requirements of the School Psychology Program. The maximum number of advanced standing credits awarded is 30.

Program Requirements

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m.

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 66

Required Courses:

Sch Psy 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 676, 770, 772, 774, 775, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 878, 879, 899, 999

Ed Psy 621, 627, 632, 741, 825

Psy 709, 747

Prerequisite courses that should be completed as undergraduate or other graduate work include a course in general psychology, elementary statistics, child development, learning theory, and tests and measurements. If a student does not have these courses in his or her previous graduate or undergraduate program, they can be made up by taking Ed Psy 525, 529, 531, and/or 541.

Internship: Yes, an internship is required. A minimum of 1500 hours of internship in an approved setting is required. A minimum of 600 hours must be in a school setting. The internship can be full time for a year or part-time, spread out over two years.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Culminating Events:

Preliminary Examination:

The preliminary examination is an essay examination that covers key areas of psychology and school psychology to determine the student's competence and ability to explain key concepts. The examination entails two full days of examinations in 4 areas.

Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination (1) Scientific Psychology; (2)Consultation and Intervention; (3) Diagnosis and Remediation; (4) Role & Function and Ethical and Legal Considerations

At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination The preliminary examination is taken after completion of all academic subjects except for the internship.

Writing the Questions for the Preliminary Examination All school psychology faculty participate in writing the exam. The faculty submit questions. The professor who teaches a particular section edits the questions and submits them to the faculty at a meeting where the 4 areas of the exam are constructed. There are usually essay questions in each of the 4 sections.

Evaluating the Preliminary Examination A different faculty member grades each area. If there is a failing grade, other faculty must also evaluate that section. A failing grade would require multiple faculty evaluation.

Criterion for Passing the Preliminary Examination. A passing grade in all 4 areas is required to pass the exam.

Administering, Scheduling, and Proctoring the Preliminary Examination Each section of the examination requires two hours. The examination is given at a time determined by the College of Education and the exam is proctored by a College representative. The exam takes two weekends.

Dissertation:

Dissertation Advising Committee Information Three members of the graduate faculty constitute the Dissertation Advising Committee. Usually a school psychology faculty member chairs the committee. At least one faculty member from outside the program must be on the committee. The student selects his committee in consultation with the selected chairperson. The doctoral advisory committee oversees all aspects of the student's dissertation from the proposal to the oral defense. Complete details about the dissertation process are available in the College of Education Dissertation Handbook that is available from the Department of Psychological Studies in Education and the Dean's office.

Dissertation Examining Committee Information The Dissertation Examination Committee is composed of the three members of the Advisory Committee plus two additional faculty members. One must be from a program outside of School Psychology. One member may be assigned by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Study. The Dissertation Examining Committee Evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense.

Advisor/Committee Information A student may petition for a change of chairperson or member of his Dissertation Advisory Committee. This petition must be approved by the Chairperson of the Department of Psychological Studies in Education and by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Study.

Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy The doctoral dissertation is an original piece of scholarship that makes a significant contribution to the field of School Psychology. A majority of the dissertations in the program are empirical, typically using statistical analysis as the means of completing the data collection process. Other types of scholarship (e.g. those utilizing more qualitative approaches, or employing theoretical or philosophical analysis of educational issues) may be acceptable. A successful dissertation will be publishable in a refereed journal.

Philosophy of the Proposal The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. Minimally, the proposal should contain: (a) the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; (b) a survey and review of the literature in a sufficient degree to provide the reader with enough detailed information to understand why the research is being conducted; (c) a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem; and (d) a proposed timeline for completing the dissertation. The dissertation advisory committee must approve the student's proposal. In addition the proposal must also be approved in the College of Education by the College Proposal Review Committtee.

Criterion for Passing the Dissertation and the Defense. The Dissertation Examining Committee will evaluate the dissertation and the student's ability to defend it. The Committee will vote to pass or fail the dissertation. The outcome of the defense is determined by majority vote.

Dissertation Defense Scheduling Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation must confirm a date and time with the dissertation examining committee. Notification of this date and time must then be submitted on the appropriate College form to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies no less than 3 weeks prior to the oral defense. This notification will then be sent to the Graduate School and posted in the Office of Student Services.

Announcing the Dissertation Defense The announcement of the Oral Defense will be sent by the Associate Dean to the Graduate School no less than 10 days prior to the defense. A copy of the announcement will be sent to each member of the examining committee and will be posted on the bulletin board in the Office of Student Services of the College of Education.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/education/pse

Department Information:

School Psychology Program
262 Ritter Annex
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122
schpsy@temple.edu
215-204-8075

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Dr. Irwin Hyman
ihyman@temple.edu
215-204-6028

Program Coordinator:

Dr. Joseph G. Rosenfeld
jrosenfe@temple.edu
215-204-8075

Graduate Chairperson:

Dr. Joseph G. Rosenfeld
jrosenfe@temple.edu
215-204-8075

Chairperson:

Joseph G. Rosenfeld, Ph.D.
jrosenfe@temple.edu
215-204-6236

About the Program

The objective of the program is to prepare students to be high level scientist-practitioners. The major objectives include developing professional entry-level doctoral psychologists who have: (a) a data-based orientation to scientific phenomena, (b) a multi-theoretical orientation toward human behavior, and the personal desire to continue to learn, create and to develop greater skills, (c) an understanding of cultural diversity, and (d) the desire to advocate for children at both individual and policy levels and the ability to read, interpret, and conduct research.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m. Students are able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

School Psychology Program
262 Ritter Annex
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122
schpsy@temple.edu
215-204-8075

Ranking:

Not applicable.

Accreditation:

The program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association, the National Association of School Psychologists and the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Areas of Specialization:

Areas of sub-specialization and faculty interest include pre-school assessment and practice, applied behavior analysis, ethical and legal problems, assessment theory and practice, behavior management and the management of classroom discipline, remediation of learning problems, and low-incidence handicapping conditions. Coursework is offered in all of these areas.

Job Placement:

Graduates are employed in universities, a variety of public and private schools, hospitals, agencies, research facilities, government and state agencies, and private practice.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Interdisciplinary Study:

Some courses may be taken in the Psychology Department in the College of Liberal Arts, the Counseling Psychology program, Educational Administration, and the Department of Curriculum Instruction, Technology and Education (CITE). Internships may be selected from a variety of approved sites throughout the local area and the United States.

Study Abroad:

No.

Licensure:

Certification in School Psychology occurs after completion of the internship and the passing of the PRAXIS I & II Exam for Pennsylvania. Some states will certify without these examinations. Licensing in most states requires an additional post-doctoral year of supervision.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students are not permitted to take degree courses.

Financing Opportunities

The program has two assistantships open to advanced students. One is a research assistantship where the student works with several professors on their research projects and the second is an assistantship wherein the student with the supervising professors in the psychoeducational clinic and with assessment courses. There are also assistantships in other departments and non-academic programs. Students receive a stipend and 18 credits of tuition per year. Students who wish to apply for an assistantship should send a letter of application along with a resume to Dr. Irwin Hyman, School Psychology Program, Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Other Financial Opportunities