Frequently Asked Questions

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The School Psychology Program (SPP) at the University of Florida offers the Education Specialist (EdS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. The Program is housed in the Department of Educational Psychology in the College of Education. The EdS and PhD programs are fully accredited by the Florida Department of Education and approved as “Nationally Recognized” programs by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The PhD program is also fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). All graduates of the Program are eligible for certification as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), following graduation and passing the National School Psychology Examination. Students receiving a PhD may be eligible for licensure as a psychologist for private practice.

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The majority of school psychologists work in public elementary and secondary schools. School psychologists, however, also work in mental health centers, private clinics, hospitals, state agencies, and universities. Some school psychologists also go into private practice on a part- or full-time basis and serve as consultants. A number of recent PhD graduates of the School Psychology Program taken academic positions at universities, including Florida State University, University of Chicago, University of Central Florida, and Mississippi State University, among others.

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Specialist training consists of 80 graduate credit hours, including a year-long internship, and leads to the Education Specialist (EdS) degree. Doctoral training consists of 136 graduate credit hours, including a year-long internship, early research experience, and dissertation, and leads to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. PhD preparation can be distinguished from EdS preparation in the greater breadth and depth of coursework and field experiences. Students in the PhD track are required to complete 12 credit hours in an area of specialization. This coursework usually is taken during the student’s third and/or fourth year in the SPP. An area of specialization is equivalent to a “minor” in other professional preparation programs. The area of specialization represents the successful completion of coursework that would enable the PhD candidate to develop expertise in a specified and coherent academic area selected in consultation with their advisor. PhD students also spend an additional year in an advanced practicum setting.

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Absolutely. Students are admitted directly into the PhD track or the EdS track. Students in the PhD earn the Master of Arts degree while pursuing their PhD. In a typical year, 10-12 are admitted, with approximately equal numbers in each degree track. The majority of newly admitted students have an undergraduate degree in the social sciences (e.g., psychology or education). Some begin the School Psychology Program immediately after completing the Bachelor’s degree, while others have previous graduate training and/or experience in related areas.

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Some students admitted to the EdS track decide that they would like to pursue the PhD. When this occurs, students apply for a change in terminal degree in the fall semester of their second year in the School Psychology Program by submitting a letter of intent to change degree track and reactivating their admissions file. The faculty consider this information along with progress during the first year in making a decision to change a student’s terminal degree.

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The EdS track takes 3 years to complete. This involves two years of coursework and practicum and one year of internship. The PhD program takes an average of 6 years. This consists of 3-4 years of coursework and practicum, plus one year of internship and dissertation. There is variability in time to completion for the PhD primarily due to differences in time spent writing the dissertation.

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Training in the School Psychology Program is designed to integrate field experience and academic study. Through continuous enrollment in practica and internship, rigorous course work, and supervision of field placements, students continuously apply knowledge and skills in field settings and generate practical and relevant questions on issues needing further study. Because of this interwoven sequence of study, part-time study is very difficult. Moreover, non-degree status in the SPP is not allowed. Exceptions may be made under special circumstances, however.

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Admission to the School Psychology Program (SPP) is based on a comprehensive review of all application materials. The SPP gives strong consideration to the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, relevant work and/or life experiences, performance in prior undergraduate and graduate coursework (GPA), and scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Admissions decisions are based on selecting outstanding applicants who demonstrate great promise for not only completing their degree, but for becoming competent professionals as well. Minimum requirements for the Education Specialist (EdS) degree are: An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution; a minimum grade average of “B” for all upper-division undergraduate work; and scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) that are acceptable to the SPP. Minimum requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree are: An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution; a minimum grade average of “B” for all upper-division undergraduate work; and scores on the GRE of at least 151 Verbal (440 on the old scale) or at least 150 Quantitative (530 on the old scale). For both degrees tracks, these scores are used in the context of a holistic credential review process. This means that all information in the application is considered carefully. Admission is not based on any one piece of information. exceptions to the above requirements are made on occasion under special circumstances.

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Because the SPP is a full-time program, many students are in need of financial support. There are three main sources of financial support for SPP students: fellowships and scholarships, assistantships (research and teaching), and related work on- and off-campus. Virtually all students seeking financial aid receive some form of support, most often as a graduate assistant. While guaranteed financial aid cannot be offered to all students at the time admission is offered, School Psychology Program does all it can to help obtain financial support for all students.

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Considerable importance is placed on the three letters of recommendation that you arrange to have sent. If possible, at least two of these letters should be from former professors and/or advisors who know you well enough to comment on your past performance and potential for graduate study. We realize that some applicants have been away from college for an extended period of time and that letters from former instructors may not be feasible.

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The Statement of Purpose (letter of intent) is an important part of your application. The Statement of Purpose tells the Admissions Committee who you are and what has influenced your career path so far, as well as describes your professional interests and goals.

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Formal review of applications begins in January for admission the following fall semester (that begins in August). Completed applications are due by December 15th. Applicants are encouraged to submit application materials to the Graduate School by November 15th to ensure review, as a limited number of applicants are admitted each year.

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After December 15th, the Admissions Committee of the School Psychology Program reviews all completed applications to identify the most qualified candidates to invite for an on-campus interview in February. The on-campus interview takes approximately one day and includes meeting individually and in small groups with the School Psychology Program students and faculty. Telephone interviews can be arranged for those who cannot come to the campus, but we strongly encourage you to visit us. After completion of the interviews, all applicants are sent an initial admissions decision letter of admission, rejection, or notification of placement on an alternate list. Applicants receiving an offer of admission must respond in writing by April 15th to be formally admitted. Applicants on the alternate list are offered admission when an offer is offer is declined or not accepted by April 15th.

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