PhD in School Psychology

You will become a scientist-practitioner who understands and can implement evidence-based assessment, intervention, and consultation practice from a social justice perspective. Plus, you'll understand the history of school psychology, the impact of historical discrimination and inequity on educational and psychological functioning, and  individual differences and social/cultural influences on development and adjustment.

You'll conduct evidence-based direct counseling and mental health interventions, as well as indirect consultative interventions in applied settings. You will also be trained to carry out comprehensive psychoeducational assessments to support decision-making regarding special education eligibility and development of individual education plans (IEPs). On the research side, you'll critically evaluate research (i.e., designs, data analysis, and data interpretation) from a methodological, as well as ethical and social justice, perspective. Using research methodological skills and statistical expertise, you'll complete original dissertation research, present at psychological and educational conferences, and prepare manuscripts for publication.

Our graduates represent the scientist-practitioner ideal of a person who not only applies psychological knowledge within the context of their professional practice, but also a person who can generate new, applications-oriented knowledge through their research and scholarly activities and the application of such in the service of others through a social justice framework.

Loyola's PhD in School Psychology has been accredited by the American Psychologist Association (APA) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

All students begin in the first year with an introductory professional orientation course, beginning research courses, pre-requisite courses that lead to a second-year school-based practicum, and engagement with the community through the completion of a school-based, pre-practicum experience.

In the second year of the program, students complete two semesters of a structured school-based practicum, in which they spend two days a week in a school setting and complete structured activities tied to the practicum, while also taking additional courses in research methods/statistics, counseling, consultation, and assessment.

In the third year of the program, students complete an advanced practicum, more advanced research courses, and work on their dissertation proposals.

In the fourth year of the program, students apply for a calendar-year-long doctoral internship through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC), an APA-accredited doctoral internship match system for doctoral students in Health Service Psychology programs.

In the fifth year, students are required to complete a calendar-year internship under the direction of a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist.

Students with a master’s degree may be able to transfer up to 36 credit hours into the PhD program. However, a minimum of 63 credit hours and a minimum of 2 years of coursework must be completed at Loyola University Chicago.

This is a full-time program. Students complete the course work for the program in four years, including summers. Time for degree completion, including the dissertation, is five years.

Continuous Enrollments
Doctoral students in School Psychology are required to maintain continuous enrollment during their program of studies. A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and with the approval of the Graduate School’s Associate Dean.

The EdS degree will allow you to be credentialed in Illinois as a licensed school psychologist through the State Board of Education and also prepares you to become a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). This credential allows you to practice as a school psychologist in the public schools. The PhD program also prepares students to become credentialed school psychologists, but additionally provides research and clinical training that allows for careers in research and University-level teaching.

In Illinois, the PhD degree qualifies you to become licensed as a school psychologist by the Illinois State Board of Education, which is required to work in the schools. Graduates of the PhD program are also eligible to pursue clinical licensure (as a clinical psychologist) through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations (IDPR). In Illinois, graduates of our School Psychology PhD program meet the educational requirements to pursue their clinical psychology license, but must meet IDPR requirements for internship, postdoctoral training, and exams; each case is reviewed by IDPR. Outside of Illinois, each state has its own credentialing requirements and individuals need to check with the state in which they want to practice school psychology for the particular state's credentialing requirements.

All candidates must successfully pass the Illinois State School Psychology Content Examination prior to beginning internship. All candidates must also pass the PRAXIS School Psychology Examination to obtain NCSP status (National Certified School Psychologists). For doctoral graduates pursuing their clinical license in Illinois, they must also meet IDPR exam requirements (e.g., passing the EPPP).

Visit the Placement and Licensure page for details. 

Because of the rapid changes in the field of education and school psychology, courses will only be transferred to Loyola if they have been taken during the five years prior to your admittance to the school psychology program. If you do not have a master's degree, then six semester hours may be transferred. If you have a master's degree, up to 36 semester hours may be transferred into the PhD program at Loyola.

Full-time students can complete the coursework and field placements in a minimum of four years by taking courses during the summer. A full-time 12-month internship must be completed during the last year of study. All coursework and the dissertation proposal must be completed prior to beginning an internship. Completion of coursework and dissertation typically takes five years.

The program is full-time only and requires attendance during the summer.

As full-time students, all PhD students automatically satisfy the residency requirements.