School Psychology PsyD
PCOM’s PsyD program in School Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Our next required site visit is in 2033.
Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979
Email: apaaccred@apa.org
accreditation.apa.org/contact
The PsyD program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) as an approved Institute of Higher Education (IHE) for the school psychology certification program. The PsyD program is also fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
Few other programs provide a standardized client program, which provides simulated but authentic clinical learning experiences. Students will also engage in field work early on in the program in a variety of settings. In addition to eligibility for school psychology certification, the PsyD program at PCOM incorporates a behavior analytic course sequence approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).
The PsyD degree can be completed in five years. Students in the PsyD program will also receive a master’s of science in school psychology following completion of coursework and a comprehensive examination in their second year. Classes meet in the evening and afternoon hours, two to three nights per week. Field experiences take place during the day, approximately 2-3 days per week starting in second year. Full-time internships occur during the 5th year. Students also complete a dissertation, primarily during the 3rd and 4th years during the program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| Fall | ||
| SPSY 501 | Professional School Psychology | 2 |
| SPSY 512 | Psychometrics | 3 |
| SPSY 524 | Basic Principles in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| SPSY 531 | Theories of Learning and Behavior | 3 |
| SPSY 613 | Assessment I: Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| SPSY 725 | Cognitive Aspects of Behavior | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| Spring | ||
| SPSY 504 | Developmental | 1 |
| SPSY 507 | Exceptional Child | 2 |
| SPSY 525 | Behavioral Change and Systems Supports | 3 |
| SPSY 528 | Behavior Assessment | 3 |
| SPSY 551 | Practicum: Functional Behavior Assessment | 1 |
| SPSY 615 | Assessment II: Academic | 3 |
| SPSY 618 | Assessment III: Behavioral, Social, and Emotional | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| Summer | ||
| SPSY 508 | Foundations of Psychotherapy | 3 |
| SPSY 527 | Ethics, Law, and Professional Practice | 3 |
| SPSY 748 | Biological Aspects of Behavior | 1 |
| SPSY 749 | Social Aspects of Behavior | 1 |
| SPSY 751 | Affective Aspects of Behavior | 1 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPSY 614 | Multicultural Perspectives in Psychology | 3 |
| SPSY 617 | Academic and Behavioral Interventions | 3 |
| SPSY 622 | Direct Assessment of Academic Skills | 1 |
| SPSY 664 | School-Based Practicum | 1 |
| SPSY 732 | Child and Adolescent Psychopathology | 3 |
| SPSY 774 | Advanced Integrated Knowledge Seminar | 2 |
| WRIT 100 | Writing in Psychology | 0 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| Spring | ||
| SPSY 526 | Single Case Experimental Design | 3 |
| SPSY 620 | Prevention & Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| SPSY 623 | English Learners: Implications & Accommodations | 3 |
| SPSY 619 | Consultation and Collaboration in Educational Settings | 3 |
| SPSY 664 | School-Based Practicum | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| Summer | ||
| SPSY 598 | MS Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| SPSY 535 | Clinical Supervision, Management & Training | 3 |
| SPSY 664 | School-Based Practicum | 1 |
| SPSY 733 | History and Systems of Psychology | 2 |
| SPSY 776 | Dissertation Seminar | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPSY 736 | Cognitive Behavior Strategies I | 2 |
| SPSY 760 | Advanced Practicum Seminar | 1 |
| SPSY 783 | Research Methods | 3 |
| SPSY 792 | Dissertation Advisement (Students are required to take 6 credits of SPSY 792: Dissertation Advisement; students are required to register for this course until they successfully defend their dissertation, credits beyond the 6 do not count toward their degree.) | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| Spring | ||
| SPSY 737 | CBT II: Treatment Strategies | 2 |
| SPSY 738 | CBT III: Applications | 1 |
| SPSY 760 | Advanced Practicum Seminar | 1 |
| SPSY 784 | Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| SPSY 792 | Dissertation Advisement (Students are required to take 6 credits of SPSY 792: Dissertation Advisement; students are required to register for this course until they successfully defend their dissertation, credits beyond the 6 do not count toward their degree.) | 1 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| Summer | ||
| SPSY 506 | Physiology | 3 |
| SPSY 760 | Advanced Practicum Seminar | 1 |
| SPSY 792 | Dissertation Advisement (Students are required to take 6 credits of SPSY 792: Dissertation Advisement; students are required to register for this course until they successfully defend their dissertation, credits beyond the 6 do not count toward their degree.) | 1 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPSY 741 | Assessment IV: Neuropsychology | 3 |
| SPSY 745 | Supervision | 1 |
| SPSY 747 | Neuropathology | 1 |
| SPSY 779 | School-Based Externship | 1 |
| SPSY 792 | Dissertation Advisement (Students are required to take 6 credits of SPSY 792: Dissertation Advisement; students are required to register for this course until they successfully defend their dissertation, credits beyond the 6 do not count toward their degree.) | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| Spring | ||
| SPSY 735 | Linking Neuropsychological Assessment to Interventions | 3 |
| SPSY 740 | Instructional Design & Delivery | 1 |
| SPSY 779 | School-Based Externship | 1 |
| SPSY 792 | Dissertation Advisement (Students are required to take 6 credits of SPSY 792: Dissertation Advisement; students are required to register for this course until they successfully defend their dissertation, credits beyond the 6 do not count toward their degree.) | 1 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| Summer | ||
| SPSY 700 | Introduction to Internship | 0 |
| SPSY 779 | School-Based Externship | 1 |
| SPSY 792 | Dissertation Advisement (Students are required to take 6 credits of SPSY 792: Dissertation Advisement; students are required to register for this course until they successfully defend their dissertation, credits beyond the 6 do not count toward their degree.) | 1 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPSY 786 | Internship | 1 |
| Students who have successfully defended their dissertations will register for SPSY 795: Dissertation Editing until all edits are made to the satisfaction of their dissertation chair/committees and the final documents are submitted for binding. The fee will be waived for the first term and any term in which students are concurrently enrolled in SPSY 786: Internship. For any subsequent terms, students will be charged for one credit/term until the final documents are submitted for binding. Dissertation Editing credits do not count toward the minimum of 111 credits required for degree completion. | ||
| Hours | 1 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| Spring | ||
| SPSY 786 | Internship | 1 |
| Students who have successfully defended their dissertations will register for SPSY 795: Dissertation Editing until all edits are made to the satisfaction of their dissertation chair/committees and the final documents are submitted for binding. The fee will be waived for the first term and any term in which students are concurrently enrolled in SPSY 786: Internship. For any subsequent terms, students will be charged for one credit/term until the final documents are submitted for binding. Dissertation Editing credits do not count toward the minimum of 111 credits required for degree completion. | ||
| Hours | 1 | |
| Sixth Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| SPSY 786 | Internship | 1 |
| Students who have successfully defended their dissertations will register for SPSY 795: Dissertation Editing until all edits are made to the satisfaction of their dissertation chair/committees and the final documents are submitted for binding. The fee will be waived for the first term and any term in which students are concurrently enrolled in SPSY 786: Internship. For any subsequent terms, students will be charged for one credit/term until the final documents are submitted for binding. Dissertation Editing credits do not count toward the minimum of 111 credits required for degree completion. | ||
| Hours | 1 | |
| Total Hours | 111 | |