Welcome to the School Psychology Program at Michigan State University (MSU). The MSU School Psychology Program prepares school psychologists to work with educators, children, youth, and families to promote individuals’ learning and development particularly in relation to schooling.

The Program offers two degrees, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology. Students obtain a Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Psychology as part of their Ed.S. or Ph.D. programs; enrollment in the Ed.S. or Ph.D. program is required to obtain the M.A.

The MSU School Psychology Ph.D. program’s overall mission is to equip psychologists with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to provide quality psychological services to children, youth, and families in multiple settings, as well as to conduct research in related areas. The program includes a planned sequence of coursework in school psychology and supporting disciplines, complemented by practica and internship experiences. Students in the program receive the training necessary to become both a Certified School Psychologist in Michigan, as well as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Students are also license-eligible as psychologists, pending completion of state-level licensure requirements.

Our vision for training and practice in school psychology is informed by the standards of the profession including the Specialty Definition of School Psychology by APA Division 16 and the Blueprint for School Psychology published by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). We adhere to a scientist-practitioner training philosophy. Our vision emanates from a set of four goals that define our Ph.D. program:

1. Foundational Knowledge: Prepare future psychologists with foundational knowledge in psychological aspects of behavior.
2. Professional Practice: Prepare future psychologists with the skills necessary for competent delivery of mental health services to children, youth, and families.
3. Research and Inquiry: Prepare future psychologists who effectively consume, produce, and disseminate research.
4. Professional Conduct: Prepare future psychologists who effectively collaborate with others in the delivery of services according to ethical and legal guidelines.

Accreditation and Certification

The MSU Ph.D. Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists. The Ph.D. program is also approved by the Michigan Department of Education.

Questions related to our program’s APA accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

         Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation

Students are expected to abide by the ethical principles of the National Association of School Psychologists and the American Psychological Association. Graduates of the program are eligible for certification in Michigan as a school psychologist. To be eligible for employment in states other than Michigan or for psychology licensure with a specialization in school psychology, a greater number of courses and internship hours may be required (read more here). To learn more about where our alumni are currently practicing, you can visit our student accomplishments page and student organization’s website.

Defining Features of MSU’s School Psychology Program

The MSU School Psychology Ph.D. program brings a developmental and systems approach to learning that focuses on the developmental needs of learners in the context of families, schools, communities, organizations, and cultures. We view the science and practice of school psychology as grounded in the knowledge of psychological development as well as an understanding of the social contexts in which development occurs. A developmental perspective provides an understanding of the limits and the potential of individuals, as well as the risks and opportunities in development.

We view research and practice in school psychology as being inextricably related. We consider these to be reciprocal processes where research serves as the basis for practice and practice informs research. The program is committed to preparing school psychologists who can contribute to the knowledge base as researchers and whose practices are empirically supported. We strive to develop future leaders committed to equitable and just schools that promote the development and well-being of all children and their families.

There are several distinguishing features of our Ph.D. program:

• Communities of Practice: Students participate in authentic communities of practice through practicum placements in each semester, beginning in the first year. The majority of school psychology courses involve field-based assignments (in school and community settings) so that students experience the interplay between theory or research and practice in authentic settings.
• Curriculum with Developmental & Contextual Perspective: The curriculum is carefully structured to support an ecological approach to school psychology, in which students learn theory, research, and practices of population-based (school- and community-wide) and prevention-oriented services prior to learning individually-oriented ones.
• Scholarship & Inquiry: We employ an apprenticeship model of research training in which doctoral students engage actively in authentic research activities, most often in conjunction with their mentor’s research team. We have a rigorous program of research training that develops leaders in psychological and educational research. This training occurs within the context of the one of the best Colleges of Education in the country.

The Program faculty and students engage collaboratively in many research projects. Each year research is presented to national audiences at professional meetings, such as the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists.

The School Psychology Program is one of seven graduate programs in the department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education (CEPSE) in the College of Education.