Ph.D. Program

Doctoral training in the SPP consists of 122 graduate credit hours, including a year-long internship, early research experience, and dissertation, and leads to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. The SPP doctoral track is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Florida Department of Education and is approved as a “Nationally Recognized” Program by the through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

Graduates of this program are employed to provide psychological services in schools and other service delivery settings as a certified school psychologist and/or as a licensed psychologist. Graduates are also conduct research and prepare future school psychologists as faculty members in training programs at universities.

For more information about this program, please contact the program director, Dr. Kati Maki.

Tuition and Fees Frequently Asked Questions Email Program Director Application Instructions Apply Now

Program Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, a comparable degree from an international institution, or a degree deemed equivalent by the University of Florida Office of Admissions.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 upper-division (last 60 credits) undergraduate work.
An acceptable graduate grade point average for previous graduate work.
Graduate School Fellowship/ Assistantship Form
Candidates for the SPP Ph.D. program are also subject to an interview for further evidence of program fit

For additional questions or concerns not addressed on the webpage or to check on the status of your application please email our staff at sespecsstaff@coe.ufl.edu.

*Please note that the GRE is no longer required.

The University of Florida does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religious preference, disability, or sex, in the administration of educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, or any other University program or activity.

Program Overview

Entry: Fall semester
Typical course load: 6-12 credits/semester (depending on semester)
Full-time/Part-time: Full-time
Application Deadline: December 1st
- Interviews: January 24th and 31st
Average Class Size: 4-12
Program Completion: 5-6 years

PhD Program Handbook

Additional Resources

Practicum

First- and Second-Year Practicum

The School Psychology Program offers a wide variety of practicum opportunities. During practicum placements, school psychology students gain practicum experiences related not only to their course requirements, but also to the expertise of their supervisor and unique characteristics of the placement setting. Opportunities are available to develop expertise in diverse areas, such as early childhood, low incidence disabilities, bilingual school psychology, behavior disorders, pediatric psychology, forensic psychology, post-secondary education, and across the K-12 education spectrum. The interweaving of practicum and coursework throughout the program allows students a depth of experience beyond course requirements alone.

Advanced Practicum

Students pursuing a Ph.D. degree participate in advanced practicum activities under the supervision of a psychologist for one or more additional years. Advanced practicum placements are decided in collaboration with the student, his/her advisor and the practica coordinator to facilitate developing specialized professional interests. These practicum settings range from intensive school-based placements to clinical settings.

Internship

Ph.D. students are eligible for their internship after completing advanced coursework and practicum requirements. They are required to complete a minimum of 1,500 hours. Ph.D. students complete internships in the K-12 public schools, but also in clinic and hospital settings in Florida and across the nation.

Example Ph.D. Internship Locations

*Cypress/Fairbanks Independent School District, Texas

*Munroe-Meyer Institute, Nebraska

*Sarah Reed Children’s Center, Pennsylvania

*The Yale Child Study Center, Connecticut

*University of Southern California Children’s Hospital, California

* Indicates APPIC internship site. More information about APPIC internships is available at http://www.appic.org/

School Psychology Graduate Student Association (SPGSA)

There are six elected SPGSA officers who organize and host events and represent students in program faculty meetings. SPGSA hosts a number of activities and events, such as special topic presentations related to school psychology by faculty members from other academic fields, student social activities, and School Psychology Awareness Week. Additionally, the organization encourages participation in community outreach activities.

Financial Resources

Graduate Assistantships are available through individual academic units. Graduate assistants have part-time teaching or research duties. Stipend rates paid are determined by the employing academic unit. Graduate assistantships frequently support students for more than 1 year. In addition to an hourly wage, tuition waivers for in-state matriculation fees accompany many assistantships. Non-Florida Tuition Waivers are available to eligible out-of-state students with assistantships. Interested students should ask their academic unit offices about the availability of assistantships and the procedure for applying. Early inquiry is essential to be assured of meeting application deadlines. Initial appointment requires clear evidence of superior ability and promise. Reappointment to assistantships requires evidence of continued good scholarship.

Other Resources

UF Resources