There are currently 5.5 million school-age children attending 8,000 schools in California. The need for school psychologists was formally mandated in the 1970s with the passage of Public Law 94-142, requiring that all children with special needs be evaluated, provided with the appropriate support and placed in the least restrictive learning environments possible.
The Doctor of Psychology in Educational Psychology program is designed to meet these needs, providing both assistance to children with special needs and a rewarding career to those who choose the profession of educational psychology. Alliant International University’s Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco Campuses offer a five-year program leading to a PsyD in Educational Psychology: School Psychology Emphasis, with a master’s degree and PPS credential awarded after the second and third year in School Psychology.
The PsyD in Educational Psychology program is offered in an “executive format” for working professionals, with classes meeting on evenings and/or weekends. It involves coursework, passage of two doctoral-level comprehensive examinations (Praxis 2 and a professional practice examination), completion of a professional portfolio, PsyD project, and additional research/applied work.
Eligibility for the PsyD in Educational Psychology
This PsyD program is open to applicants who already hold (or are in the process of completing) a master’s degree in school psychology and who either hold a PPS School Psychology Credential or are in the process of completing it. School psychology interns are also eligible. Credentialed school psychologists who currently practice with a master’s-level degree and wish to obtain a doctoral degree will find this three-year program and study format ideally suited to their goals. These applicants will be admitted into the 3rd year and complete the 3rd, 4th and 5th years of the 5-year program.
Content and Pacing of the Program
During the first two years of the Advanced Standing PsyD program, students take advanced theory and assessment skills courses as well as advanced school-based research design, program development and evaluation, psychopharmacology, and developmental psychopathology courses. In addition, during each of the six semesters, students will take a course in a special interest area where they will obtain professional writing experience and exposure to APA format. These special focus areas will help expose PsyD students to a diverse array of topics within the domain of applied educational psychology.
At the end of the second year, students will begin to formulate concepts for their PsyD projects within the context of a Doctoral Project Seminar series. Students are expected to complete their doctoral project by the end of the third year. By the end of the second year students will have completed their two comprehensive examinations and portfolio requirements. The third year is comprised of work on doctoral projects, two professional roles courses, two special focus area courses and an optional doctoral level internship for those interested in sitting for the Board of Psychology license exam.
School Psychology Areas of Study and Competencies
Doctoral programs at the Hufstedler School of Education are aimed at preparing educational practitioners to be effective and creative educational leaders in their respective fields, providing them with a strong repertoire of knowledge and skills as well as professional dispositions. In addition, candidates will have developed a best practices approach to problem-solving and will be skillful in applying both practical and theoretical knowledge.
Coursework for the PsyD Educational Psychology program assures candidates are exposed to the following competency areas:
Professional Skills – PsyD Educational Psychology students are trained in applied educational psychology interventions, developmental psychopathology, psychopharmacology, as well as the required six Special Focus Areas topics.
Professional Roles — Advanced PsyD Educational Psychology students are exposed to the diverse roles of an applied educational psychologist at the doctoral level
Applied Research — PsyD Educational Psychology students acquire advanced skills training in the area of program development and evaluation as well as the implementation of qualitative research methodologies.
Professional Concepts– PsyD Educational Psychology students are trained in organizational consultation practices, small group consultation and collaborative activities.