Psy.D. in School Psychology

Sample Courses

In addition to the courses included in the Ed.S School Psychology curriculum, below is a sample listing of courses included in the Psy.D. in School Psychology curriculum:

• Professional Practice in Doctoral School Psychology
• Research Methodology for Professional Practice
• Social and Community Psychology
• History and Systems of Psychology
• Dissertation Seminar I
• Dissertation Seminar II
• Advanced Doctoral Therapy and Practicum I
• Advanced Doctoral Therapy and Practicum II
• Developmental Psychology in a Multicultural World
• Advanced Psychology of Learning Seminar

For information on where The Chicago School of Professional Psychology meets, does not meet, or has not determined if the program meets licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit: https://staging.thechicagoschool.edu/admissions/licensure-disclosures/.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Psy.D. in School Psychology Program’s requirements are designed to meet the NASP and APA standards for field placement.  

Post Baccalaureate students are required to complete: 

• 1 day per week of supervised field experience in a school for one school year (Beginning Practicum) 
• 2 days a week of supervised field experience in a school for one school year (Intermediate Practicum) 
• 2-3 days a week of supervised field experience in a school, clinical, private practice, or hospital up to one calendar year (Advanced Practicum) 
• 5 days a week (full-time) internship for one calendar year in a school and/or other settings (600 hours required in a school for students who do not already have a specialist degree); part-time option (i.e., two years) may be available

Post-Specialist students are required to complete: 

• 2-3 days a week of supervised field experience in a school, clinical private practice, or hospital for one school year (Advanced Practicum – minimum of 550 hours) 
• Minimum of 1750 hours over a 12-month period (or part-time over 24 months) in a supervised internship that is APA accredited, APPIC member or CDSPP aligned

Learn more about our School Psychology Faculty and Staff

Admittance to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) Psy.D. School Psychology Program

The decision to accept a student into the School Psychology Psy.D. program rests solely with the program faculty. To be eligible for admittance a student must, per stated admissions requirements, adhere to the following as detailed on the program page of the catalog:

• Send materials to:
  Admissions Operations
  c/o The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1900
  Chicago, IL 60601

Post Baccalaureate Admission Requirements

• Apply Online

Application to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Psy.D. School Psychology program is open to any person who has earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and who meets other entrance requirements:

• Generally, an undergraduate GPA of a 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission.
• Applicants must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned. The Chicago School requires that all schools be regionally accredited higher education institutions. Official transcripts may be sent directly from the institution or with your application for admission as long as they are official, sealed, and signed across the envelope flap when they arrive.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
• An admission essay.
  • Three letters of recommendation from academic professors or professional or volunteer supervisors who can appraise your academic or professional performance. If you are mailing in your letters, they should arrive in a sealed envelope, signed across the seal. You can also submit the letters online via the applicant portal.
• Work experience recommended but not required for admission.
• Prerequisites: undergraduate courses (a course in psychology and a course in either statistics or research methods) that must be completed prior to enrollment, with a grade earned of “C” or better.
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
  • You must arrange for your official GRE scores to be sent to the school. Our school code is 1119.
  • To register for the exam or request scores taken within the past five years, visit GRE.org or call 1-888-GRE-SCORE.
  • Test scores older than 5 years will not be considered
  • COVID-19 Update: A candidate may request a waiver of the GRE score requirement. Please contact any of the following TCSPP Admissions Specialists to request the form. 
    • Elizabeth Sado: [email protected]
    • Craig Scanlon: [email protected]
    • Liz Ragen: [email protected]
• $50.00 (USD) application fee.
• An admission interview.

Post-Specialist/Equivalent Degree Admission Requirements

• Apply Online

Application to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Psy.D. School Psychology (completion) program is open to any person who has earned a specialist level certificate or degree in School Psychology or equivalent degree or credential from an institutionally accredited institution that is also NASP approved or accredited, who is currently credentialed or eligible to be credentialed as a National Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) (credential to be completed prior to completion of first year of instruction), and who meets other entrance requirements:

• Generally, an undergraduate GPA of a 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission.
• Applicants must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
• An admission essay.
• Three letters of recommendation from academic professors or professional or volunteer supervisors.
• Work experience recommended but not required for admission.
• $50.00 (USD) application fee.

Progression Requirement: Post-Specialist Level entry point applicants must have completed graduate-level coursework in psychometrics and statistics with a grade of “B” or better, or they will be required to complete SP 550 Principles of Psychometrics and/or SP 565 Statistics prior to or concurrent with enrollment in the program.

Applicant Notification

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once review begins, complete applications will be considered by the Admission Committee and the student is quickly notified of the admission decision. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology does not share information or provide any feedback regarding admission decisions.

If a student is offered admission, in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $250 will be required by the deposit deadline indicated in the offer of admission. The non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.

Students entering with academic advanced standing:

1. From within TCSPP a student will follow the program change policyand submit an application to the Psy. D. program. Note that the policy states that the decision to accept a student rests solely with the academic department.
   1. The transfer creditor course association policy will apply with this additional restriction:
      1. No coursework older than five years can be transferred.
   2. Students must meet the same admissions requirement as every other student in the program, including all application materials listed above under entrance requirements such as;
      3. An undergraduate GPA of a 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission.
      4. Official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned.

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

1. An admission essay.
2. Three letters of recommendation from academic professors or professional or volunteer supervisors.
3. Completion of all prerequisites.

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
• Application fee.

2. From outside TCSPP a student will follow the transfer credit policy.

• Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data
  • The Psy.D in School Psychology program at the Chicago Campus is not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
  • Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
    • The American Psychological Association
      Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
      750 First Street, NE
      Washington, D.C. 20002-4242
      202.336.5979

International Application Requirements

The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional psychology degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will help provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.

Learn more