School Psychology PsyD Advanced
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Advanced Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) program in School Psychology employs an innovative approach to doctoral education, allowing school psychologists to remain active as full-time professionals in the field while furthering their education. Classes are kept small and frequently taught in a seminar style, with students learning from their colleagues as well as professors. Faculty and students enjoy a bidirectional learning experience as students bring their expertise from real-world school experiences into the University setting. This helps achieve the program’s goals of providing students with practical skills directly applicable to their daily work with children, youth, and families, and preparing professionals who will be leaders in the design, evaluation, provision, and supervision of comprehensive mental and behavioral health and psychoeducational services to children, youth and families. The practitioner-scholar model adhered to by the program is the most appropriate to achieve its goals. Inherent in the model is quality training and the delivery of evidence-based practices.
The program builds upon Master’s certification level training and prepares students for eligibility for licensure for independent practice. Graduates are able to practice and hold leadership roles in a wide variety of settings, including schools, mental health clinics, child and family agencies, pediatric hospitals, vocational and rehabilitation agencies, educational programs in business and industry, juvenile justice facilities, colleges and universities, and private practice. The dissertation project, a capstone experience in the program, is designed to be useful to students in their current positions as well as to the field at large. It is expected that graduates will maintain a continuing pursuit of scholarly activities and a commitment to concerns of human welfare and social justice.
Professional Licensure and Certification
The Advanced PsyD program includes coursework designed to meet the typical academic requirements for licensure in states throughout the country. Our program graduates have successfully demonstrated that they meet licensure requirements in any states they have elected to practice, including the states of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. However, given the variability in requirements, particularly in terms of internship requirements, from state to state, please check with the state professional licensing board about its requirements for licensure. Given that the program is not APA-accredited, graduates must submit evidence of program completion to the state in which they are seeking licensure for review. Our program faculty will be happy to work with you to understand the process and ensure that you have all the information you need to proceed with an appropriate course of study to meet your professional goals.
Admission Requirements
Applications for admission should be submitted no later than March 1.
Applicants to the Advanced PsyD in school psychology program should hold a master’s degree and certification as a school psychologist.
Applicants to the program must submit:
- A completed online application form through the Psychology Common Application, PsyCAS. The Apply Now page will direct you to the PsyCAS site.
- Transcripts from all academic institutions previously attended.
- Your official Praxis score report, with a score that demonstrates that you met or exceeded the NCSP cutoff score at the time of administration.
- Three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references.
- A statement of professional goals.
- A representative work sample of current professional skills (e.g., psychological testing report, consultation or therapy summary, etc.).
After credentials review, applicants will be selected for an in-person interview.
Transfer of graduate credits to this program is handled individually by the program director.
Fieldwork
A unique benefit of the Advanced Psy.D. is that students remain in the field while completing the program, allowing them to directly and immediately apply relevant coursework. Class discussion is often focused on issues students encounter at their job sites, and several class assignments throughout the program focus on evaluating and strengthening current practices within these work settings. Students have the option of completing their internship requirements in their current district of employment, modifying their role and responsibilities in ways that allow them to build new competencies while also maintaining their salaried role.
Additionally, the Advanced Psy.D. program enriches student field experience via completion of a year-long Practicum sequence at FDU’s Center for Psychological Services. Under the supervision of licensed faculty, students complete advanced testing and therapy cases in an outpatient setting during their second year of the program.
Funding Opportunities
Advanced PsyD students have the option of completing their internship experience in their current district of employment, allowing them to maintain their salaried role. Some districts also offer tuition reimbursement for coursework taken during the program, and applicants may wish to look into this option with their current employer.
Unfortunately, opportunities for graduate assistantships arise infrequently and generally require daytime availability. We do keep students notified about opportunities for late afternoon and evening teaching at the undergraduate level, and continue to seek out more opportunities and resources for our doctoral students (including participation in grant-funded research).
Degree Plan
Year One
Fall Semester
- PSYC7145 Issues and Techniques in Research and Evaluation I
- PSYC7651 Seminar in Professional School Psychology Practice and Ethics
- PSYC8720 Seminar on Child/Adolescent Assessment
Spring Semester
- PSYC7146 Issues and Techniques in Research and Evaluation II
- PSYC8721 Seminar in Child/Adolescent Intervention
- PSYC8930 Advanced Consultation in School Psychology
Summer Semester
Year Two
Fall Semester
- PSYC8130 Pediatric Psychology
- PSYC9125 Advanced Clinic Practicum I
- PSYC8110 School Psychology: Dissertation
Spring Semester
- PSYC8112 School Psychology: Dissertation Seminar
- PSYC8951 Administration and Supervision
- PSYC9126 Advanced Practicum II
Summer Semester
Year Three
(with continued enrollment until completion of dissertation and internship)
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
- PSYC9115 School Psychology: Dissertation Maintenance
- PSYC9150 School Psychology: Internship (Total of 1,800 hours required)
Summer Semester
- PSYC9152 School Psychology: Internship Maintenance