The aim of the PsyD program is to prepare school psychologists to integrate psychological theory, research, and established methods of scientific inquiry into effective practice and to engage in research and evaluation activities that contribute to the science and practice of health service psychology. To achieve this, the Program is built on two complementary goals that reflect a commitment to a practitioner-scientist model of training and are consistent with the substantive areas of health service psychology:
- To develop students' discipline-specific knowledge
- To develop students' profession-wide competencies
The Program has identified the following competencies in these areas:
Discipline-Specific Knowledge Category I and II
- To prepare competent school psychologists who demonstrate knowledge across the basic foundational areas of health service psychology to understand and explain human behavior (demonstrate and apply basic knowledge of the breadth of health service psychology [i.e., typical and atypical development, cognition and learning, biological and social basis for human behavior, individual differences, research methods, statistics, psychometrics, and history of psychology]; demonstrate understanding and advanced integrative knowledge of content areas with application in practice)
Profession-Wide Competencies
Students acquire and demonstrate substantial understanding of and competencies in:
- Research Methods and Psychometrics (application of aspects of research design and methods, psychological measurement, data analysis, and data interpretation; generate original research and scholarship)
- Ethical and Legal Standards (APA principles and code of conduct; NASP principles and code of conduct; relevant laws and policies at organizational, local, regional, state, and national level with adherence to these standards in practice)
- Individual and Cultural Diversity (knowledge of and sensitivity to issues of diversity in professional practice [self awareness, relevant theories, integration of individual and cultural diversity in case conceptualization, ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds) and the extension and application of this knowledge in practice
- Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors (values and attitudes of health service psychology including professionalism, integrity, deportment, professional identity, self-reflection, critical thinking, overall professional effectiveness)
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills (establish and maintain effective relationships, ability to produce and comprehend verbal, nonverbal, and written communications for varying audiences) in professional practice
- Assessment (identify individual strengths and needs across multiple areas of behavior using multiple methods that are based on empirical literature and reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics; diagnostic classification systems; functional and dysfunctional behaviors; interpret assessment results using research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations; guard against biases; effectively and accurately communicate results orally and in written documents)
- Interventions (knowledge of theory and research of direct interventions and prevention; identify goals and develop plans based on current scientific literature and linked to assessment findings, characteristics, and contexts; evaluate intervention effectiveness, and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation)
- Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills (demonstrate knowledge of and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions; knowledge of consultation models and practices)
- Supervision (knowledge of supervision models and practices)
