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School Psychology

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Typical Programs of Study (Courses)

Below you will find a typical program of study for a MA/Specialist-level certification student including a typical progression of courses, practicum hours, and other requirements.  Additionally, a typical program of study is presented for a Ph.D. student.  Please note that these are example programs of study.  Please see the Program Handbook for more detailed information.

Typical MA/Certification Program of Study

 A "typical" program of study (nonthesis option) leading to an M.A. degree (Specialist-level) and certification in school psychology is presented below. Other significant program milestones are also noted.

Fall Semester 1:

PSYC 640 - Theory and Assessment of Intellectual Functioning
PSYC 604 - Advanced Psychological Statistics
PSYC 665 - Behavioral Development
PSYC 653 - First Year Practicum
PSYC 690 - Psychological Research

Faculty mentor assigned
Complete M.A. program of courses form
 
Spring Semester 1:

PSYC 639 - Professional School Psychology
PSYC 611 - Cognitive Psychology I
PSYC 606 - Experimental Design
PSYC 653 - First Year Practicum
PSYC 690 - Psychological Research

ISPA conference

Summer Semester 1:

ETR 634 - Dynamic Assessment
TLSE 662 - Instructional Systems for LD

Students interested in Ph.D. enroll in Independent Study
Prepare for second-year exam

Fall Semester 2:

PSYC 647 - Interventions with Children & Their Families
PSYC 641 - Psychopathology
PSYC 653 - Second Year Practicum
TLSE 657 - Functional Analysis
PSYC 690 - Psychological Research

Complete second-year exam (August)
Students interested in Ph.D. enroll for thesis credit
Non-thesis students may be eligible for and should apply for M.A. graduation

Spring Semester 2:

PSYC 648 - Consultation Interventions
PSYC 646 - Psychological Assessment (Social/Emotional)
PSYC 653 - Second Year Practicum
PSYC 676 - Social Personality Development
PSYC 690 - Psychological Research

Internship interviews at ISPA (February)
Non-thesis students may be eligible for and should apply for M.A. graduation
Consider taking ISBE Basic Skills and School Psychology exam (must be completed by end of internship)

Summer Semester 2:

TLSE 646 - Characteristics of BD

Fall and Spring Semester 3:

PSYC 656 - Internship
PSYC 690 - Psychological Research

Internship site visits (Fall, Spring)
On-campus intern meetings (Fall, Spring)

In addition to the content related courses and required practica, students also enroll in PSYC 690: Psychological Research during each semester they are in the program. 

 

Typical Doctoral Program of Study

 A "typical" program of study leading to an Ph.D. degree and certification in school psychology is presented below. Other significant program milestones are also noted.

Fall Semester 1:

PSYC 604 - Advanced Psychological Statistics

PSYC 639 - Professional School Psychology

PSYC 640 - Theory and Assessment of Intellectual Functioning

PSYC 653 - First Year Practicum

PSYC 690 - Psychological Research

*Faculty mentor assigned

*Complete doctoral program of courses form

 

Spring Semester 1:

PSYC 606 - Experimental Design

PSYC 611 - Cognitive Psychology I

PSYC 646 - Psychological Assessment (Social/Emotional)

PSYC 653 - First Year Practicum

PSYC 690 - Psychological Research

 

Summer Semester 1:

TLSE 657 - Functional Analysis

PSYC 685 – Independent Study

* Prepare for second-year Competency Exam

* Sign up for Independent Study with a faculty member to begin thesis work

 

Fall Semester 2:

PSYC 665 - Behavioral Development

PSYC 647 - Interventions with Children & Their Families

PSYC 653 - Second Year Practicum

PSYC 699– Thesis

PSYC 690 - Psychological Research

* Complete second-year Competency Exam (August)

 

Spring Semester 2:

PSYC 648 – Consultative Interventions

PSYC 653 - Second Year Practicum

PSYC 676 - Social Personality Development

PSYC 699 – Thesis

PSYC 690 - Psychological Research

 

Summer Semester 2:

TLSE 662 - Curricular and Instructional Design and Adaptation for Inclusive Settings OR TLSE 663 – Methods for Teaching Students with Emotional Disturbance

PSYC 699 - Thesis

 

Fall Semester 3:

PSYC 645 – Child Psychopathology OR PSYC 541 - Behavior Pathology

PSYC 653 – Ph.D. Practicum

PSYC 699 – Thesis

PSYC 690- Psychological Research

 

Spring Semester 3:

Psychology Tool Course

PSYC 653 – Ph. D. Practicum

ETR 634 – Dynamic Assessment for Students with High Incidence Disabilities

PSYC 699 - Thesis

PSYC 690 – Psychological Research

*Candidacy exam

 

Summer Semester 3:

Psychology Tool Course

TLSE 640 – Foundations of Special Education

*Candidacy exam

*Start working on APPIC application

 

Fall Semester 4:

PSYC 603 – Biopsychology

Cognate Course

PSYC 799 – Dissertation

*Complete APPIC Application for Internship

 

Spring Semester 4:

PSYC 528 – History

PSYC 799 – Dissertation

* Internship interviews at ISPA (February)

* Consider taking ISBE Basic Skills and School Psychology exam (must be completed by end of internship)

 

Summer Semester 4:

PSYC 799 – Dissertation

*Students interested in licensure should register for internship credits this semester or the summer following internship.

 

Fall Semester 5:

PSYC 656 - Internship

PSYC 799 – Dissertation

* Internship site visits (Fall)

* On-campus intern meetings (Fall)

 

Spring Semester 5:

PSYC 656 - Internship

PSYC 799 – Dissertation

* Internship site visits (Spring)

* On-campus intern meetings (Spring)

* Complete portfolio

*Obtain Illinois Certification for School Psychology

*Graduation

 

Summer Semester 5:

*If necessary, students should register for internship credits or dissertation credits until both are complete.