Psychology - School Psychology

The doctoral program in School Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)* and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the Council for Accreditation of Teacher Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Illinois State Board of Education. APA accreditation and approval by NASP and CAEP provide recognition for graduate programs meeting national standards for the education of professional service providers in school psychology. Program accreditation and approval suggests comprehensive curriculum, high quality training, and properly supervised field experiences.

The doctorate degree can be completed in five years with full-time enrollment on campus for four years and a 12-month internship.

*Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university prior to fall admission
• Send official transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State where graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. Transcripts should be emailed from the school to Admissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Office of Admissions, Campus Box 2200, Normal, IL 61790-2200

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

Complete and submit your application by January 1.

Admission is offered only for the fall semester and is very competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission offers are sent in February. The Council for Graduate Schools stipulates that an applicant has until April 15 to accept or decline an admission offer. Some admission offers may be delayed until applicants notify the department that they are declining admission.

GPA

You must have a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or 3.0 GPA for 9 hours of graduate coursework.

If you have completed a master's degree in psychology, you must have a 3.5 graduate GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Undergraduate Coursework

You must have completed at least 21 hours of undergraduate psychology courses, including:

• General Psychology
• Experimental Psychology or Research Methods
• Psychological Statistics

You’ll also need to have a proficiency in math. This includes any one of the following:

• Passing grade in Finite Math or Pre-Calculus (MAT 120, 144, or equivalent)
• B grade or better in Psychological Statistics (PSY 340 or equivalent)
• Score of 144 or higher on the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE General Test

If you have not completed the required undergraduate courses, you may still be admitted. Missing courses will be added to your curriculum and must be completed during your first year of graduate study.

GRE

The GRE is not required for Fall 2022 applicants and will not be used to evaluate applicants. The GRE may be submitted to establish math proficiency. If you wish to submit GRE scores, use institution code 1319

Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Upload your current C.V or resume to the online application system.

Writing Sample

Upload a scholarly writing sample (5-15 pages long).

Personal Statement

Write and upload a personal statement that addresses the following:

• A personal statement that addresses the following:
• Your strengths and weaknesses (e.g., problems or aspects of your background that may negatively affect your performance in a doctoral program)
• Research interests
• Professional goals
• Why did you select the doctoral program in School Psychology?
• Why should you be admitted to the doctoral program?
• What are your expectations for professional training in school psychology?
• Three recommendations (see application instructions about providing names and email addresses; recommendation must be uploaded to the application)

School Psychologist

If you have a master’s degree in something other than psychology, and you have been employed as a school psychologist, you are still eligible for admission.

You must be academically qualified to pursue doctoral study and be able to demonstrate research competency (such as a master’s thesis and research courses).

Credit for masters-level courses will be determined on an individual basis. If your master's degree did not require an empirical master's thesis, you must complete a research apprenticeship as part of the doctoral program's curriculum.

Doctoral Interviews

The application process requires campus interviews, which will be conducted via Zoom. Selected applicants will be notified about the interview schedule. 

Admission Dates and Deadlines

Graduate Assistantship Information

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally:

• be admitted as a degree-seeking student to a graduate program
• be in good-standing
• be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 graduate credits) during the fall or spring semesters

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive:

• monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
• a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
• a waiver for up to 12 credits of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

The department awards graduate assistantships to applicants who accept admission. Graduate assistantships are subject to verification of employment eligibility under U.S. immigration laws and the receipt of anticipated state funding by the University.

Cost & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

Graduate Coordinator