Colleges and Schools
School Psychology students develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to provide quality and contextually relevant educational and mental health services to children (birth–21 years) and their families. School psychologists practice in school settings and private practice, teach at the university level, and conduct applied research. A specialization in School Psychology provides training in both psychology and education and emphasizes preparation in mental health, child development, school organization, learning, behavior, and motivation.
Completion Requirements
- 174 total quarter credit hours, course-based
- Core courses (126 cr.)
- Dissertation (30 cr.)
- Field experience (18 cr.)
- Professional Development Plan, Personal State Licensure Plan, and Program of Study (included in PSYC 6000)
- Minimum 12 quarters enrollment
- 3.0 GPA
- Residency units: 500-hour Academic Year in Residence
- Three 120-hour residencies (Summer-Winter-Summer or Winter-Summer-Winter)
- PSYC 6341, 6351 Testing Course Sequence (taken across two quarters)
For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call your enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.
Walden offers frequent start dates so that you can begin when it’s convenient for you. Next Start Date: December 1. Admission policies vary by program. Call 1-866-492-5336 or apply now.
Core Courses
Dissertation and Field Experiences
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| PSYC 9000 | Dissertation Research* | 30 |
| PSYC 8871 | Practicum* | 6 (3 cr. per term for 2 terms) |
| PSYC 8882 | Internship* | 12 (3 cr. per term for 4 terms) |
Note on Licensure
The School Psychology specialization in the Psychology Ph.D. program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for psychology licensing exams. This specialization is designed to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state psychology boards. However, Walden University licensure specializations in psychology are not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and have not received designation by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register (ASPPB/NR), which are requirements for licensure in some states. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements. For more information about licensure, students should visit the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards at www.asppb.org/about/boardContactStatic.aspx and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.
