Learning Outcomes

• Students will apply their appreciation of cultural, racial, and gender differences, similarities, and contributions to professional practice and research issues.
• Students will interpret information from a variety of sources (test and non-test data) to make appropriate diagnostic and intervention decisions with individuals of different ages, cultural backgrounds, and exceptionalities.
• Students will communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a variety of different constituents.
• Students will demonstrate systematic problem-solving and problem-finding skills.
• Students will evaluate and critique the existing applicable research literature in school psychology.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the roles and functions of school psychologists, understand the legal and ethical standards that relate to professional psychology and school practice, and understand the various employment contexts for school psychologists.
• Students will develop and evaluate appropriate intervention plans for individuals with learning and/or behavioral difficulties.
• Students will collaborate with others, including teachers, parents, and relevant others, and serve as effective members of multi-disciplinary teams.

Degree Requirements (92 Post Baccalaureate Hours)

A minimum of 78 credit hours of course and practica work, two hours for internship, and dissertation work (PSYC 899  ) are required.

Course work includes 30 hours of core school psychology courses, 31 hours of general psychology courses, 6 hours of education electives, and 12 hours of specialty practica.

The Ph.D. degree in school psychology also requires successful completion of a qualifying examination, a written specialty examination, and a general oral comprehensive examination. Also required is an approved Ph.D. dissertation and a one-year, predoctoral, full-time internship. Many students obtain an APA-approved (or approval-seeking) internship. Students have the option of declaring a concentration in Quantitative Methods in Psychology. Concentration requirements are: a. Must be accepted to a University of South Carolina Psychology Department Doctoral Program (Clinical-Community, School, or Experimental) b. Make a B or better in four courses (12 hours) that have 710 as a pre-requisite (i.e., advanced quantitative courses.) 709/710 do not court, nor do assessment or methods classes. Courses must be at the 700 level or higher. c. Two of the four courses (6 hours) are required to be taught in the department d. The third and fourth courses can optionally be taught in another department contingent upon approval from the Concentration Program Director.

The sequence of events and more details concerning specific aspects are in the current Graduate Program in School Psychology Student Handbook, provided to all incoming students.