2016-2017

Educational Psychology - School Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Educational Psychology

College of Education

Note:  The doctoral programs in Educational Psychology – Counseling Psychology and Educational Psychology – School Psychology are being phased out and are not accepting new students. Please visit PhD Combined Counseling/School Psychology to apply for doctoral programs in psychology.

This plan prepares you to function as a well-rounded generalist with a strong foundation in school psychology in a broad array of settings including schools, school linked health centers, medical, social service and correctional facilities that utilize school psychological services. At the core of the school psychology training program is the integration of theory, research, and practice rooted in psychology and education. We believe that this core is best realized using a scientist-professional training model that includes a systematic analysis of human behavior, careful applications of best practice, and a methodical evaluation of the effectiveness of these applications.

Our doctoral curriculum follows American Psychological Association guidelines and includes coursework in psychological foundations, educational foundations, specialization, and research and statistics. Our low doctoral student-advisor ratio affords you the opportunity to receive significant individual supervision in assessment, interventions, and research training. This doctoral psychology program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists and also meets the criteria of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.

This program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2017

  • To receive a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses, from one or more disciplines, ranging from at least 60 - 109 units of graduate-level courses. Most plans require research, a dissertation, and comprehensive exams. All plans have residency requirements regarding time spent on the Flagstaff campus engaged in full-time study.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least two years of full-time equivalent coursework beyond the master's degree
  • Two consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring) of full-time residency
  • A preliminary exam
  • A comprehensive exam
  • The completion of a one-year internship
  • The preparation of a dissertation

Minimum Units for Completion 109
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Dissertation Dissertation is required.
Comprehensive Exam Comprehensive Exam is required.
Oral Defense Oral Defense is required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Research Individualized research is required.

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

Doctoral Requirements
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.