The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in School Psychology program prepares graduates for careers as professionally credentialed doctoral-level school psychologists. School psychologists typically deliver assessment, intervention, consultation, and supervision services to promote academic, social-emotional, and behavioral success for school-aged children. School psychologists may work within schools, clinics, hospitals, or related behavioral health settings.
The PsyD program of study is designed to align with the standards for professional training and credentialing established by the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and the American Psychological Association (APA). The program integrates coursework and field-based experiences to promote general knowledge in the fields of education and psychology and targeted competencies in assessment, intervention, consultation, supervision, and applied research. Students also gain competencies in data-based decision-making, collaborative problem-solving, applied behavior analysis, and ethical-legal standards.
The PsyD program requires a total of 111 graduate credits, which include 600 hours of practica, an empirically-based dissertation, and a culminating 1,500 hour predoctoral internship. Students who opt to enroll in three additional courses are eligible to earn an MS in Educational Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration) along the way to the PsyD degree.
Graduates of PsyD program are eligible to apply for multiple professional credentials, including:
- Certification as a School Psychologist. Graduates of the PsyD program are eligible to apply for (a) state certification as a School Psychologist-Doctoral (093) through the Maine Department of Education and (b) national certification as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
- Licensure as a Psychologist. The PsyD program meets the education standards established by the Maine Board of Examiners of Psychologists for licensure as a Psychologist in the state of Maine. Graduates who complete an additional 1500 hour (48 week) postdoctoral training experience under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist are eligible to apply for licensure and sit for the required examinations.
- Certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Students who enroll in three additional courses, complete 1500+ hours of acceptable supervised independent fieldwork, and pass a national examination are eligible for credentialing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst ® (BCBA®).
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