The Ph.D. program in School Psychology is housed in the Department of Educational Psychology in the College of Education and Human Development. The program is designed to prepare graduates for careers as scientist-practitioners and professional health service psychologists capable of contributing to the academic, emotional, and social-behavioral well-being of children and adolescents through direct and indirect services and the science that informs psychological practice.
Doctoral students in School Psychology will attain an understanding of basic content areas in psychology, as well as professional issues including ethical and legal principles, equity, cultural diversity, communication, and quality assurance principles necessary for professional competencies in assessment, intervention, consultation, and supervision of psychological services with diverse populations. Students will also demonstrate scientific knowledge and expertise in research methods and data analysis. Doctoral students are welcome to pursue research topics across various areas, such as psychological assessment, mental health intervention, consultation practices, child development and learning, and education and mental health systems issues.
Doctoral students will be prepared to practice psychology in educational settings, conduct research, pursue faculty positions, and assume leadership and supervisory roles in School Psychology.
Contact
Department Chair and Professor, Director, Urban Education Institute
Educational Psychology
Program of Study
The Ph.D. in School Psychology program is a full-time doctoral program consisting of 114 total credit hours. This includes 87 hours of coursework, 12 hours of practicum, 6 hours of doctoral internship, and 9 hours of dissertation. Students are expected to complete 24 to 30 semester hours annually (except for their internship year), work toward completing Qualifying Exams during their second year, and complete their dissertation within 5 years. Students who enter the Ph.D. program with only a baccalaureate degree receive an MA in Educational Psychology upon completion of 36 hours in the Ph.D. program.
As part of their program of study, students will complete coursework, including advanced practicum, in one area of specialization. Currently, areas of specialization include behavior analysis, bilingual school psychology, and research and evaluation.
Students who enter the Ph.D. program with a completed master’s degree or with previous graduate coursework will have their transcripts examined to determine how many master’s level courses are required. Additional required coursework will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Due to licensure requirements and APA/NASP accreditation requirements, there are no provisions for course credit by examination, credit for professional experience, placing out of courses, accelerated advancement to candidacy, or another process by which a student can rapidly progress through the program. Further, although some courses may be taught online or in a hybrid format, the majority of courses will be delivered in person due to the applied nature of School Psychology competencies and ongoing evaluation of student's knowledge and skill development.
Admission Requirements
How to Apply:
The following guidelines will help you submit your application to the Ph.D. program in School Psychology.
Steps in the Application Process
1. Complete an online application form online
2. Submit the following application materials within the Graduate Application Portal (do not send any application materials to the Department of Educational Psychology):
- Applicants must provide official transcripts indicating a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Psychology, Special Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Sociology, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or show proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
- Applicants must also provide official transcripts from every institution of higher education ever attended, foreign and domestic, including community colleges and colleges and universities where degrees were not granted.
- Acceptance to the Ph.D. program is contingent on having a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework for the baccalaureate degree, or a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for master’s degree coursework (if applicable).
- Applicants must submit an official score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE; including the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing tests). GRE scores cannot be more than five years old. Applicants must obtain a minimum score of 3.5 on the Analytical Writing test. There is not a cutoff score for the Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning tests; rather, scores on these tests will be balanced with GPA and other criteria.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must submit an official score on either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum scores include a score of at least 600 on the TOEFL paper version, at least 100 on the TOEFL Internet version, or at least 7 on the IELTS.
- Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from professional references. Appropriate sources of letters include professors, supervisors, employers, and similar individuals with whom the applicant has a professional relationship. These letters should specifically address the applicant’s academic and/or professional skills, and potential to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. Letters should not be submitted from personal references such as friends or family members.
- Applicants must prepare a Statement of Purpose (approximately 500 words) that outlines the applicant’s (a) reasons for pursuing the Ph.D. degree in School Psychology, (b) experiences relevant to the field of psychology or education, and (c) career plans.
Application materials that need to be submitted through mail should be sent to:
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Attn: The Graduate School
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, Texas 78249
For more details on requirements, including an admission requirements checklist, please visit UTSA Graduate School Admissions.
The deadline for submitting all application materials is December 1.
Preference will be given to those with a bachelor’s degree or master's degree in a closely related field. Degrees in other fields may be accepted, subject to the approval of the Ph.D. in School Psychology program faculty. Preference will also be given to applicants demonstrating proficiency in writing, as indicated by scores on the GRE Analytical Writing test and the statement of purpose. Preference will also be given to applicants who are able to clearly articulate their reasons for pursuing the Ph.D. in School Psychology and career plans that depend on this training and experience.
All application materials will be evaluated by faculty in the Ph.D. in School Psychology program. Selected applicants will complete an interview with the program faculty. Following the interviews and review of all application materials, faculty will determine which students to admit for the academic year. All applicants are notified of admission or denial through The Graduate School. It is the intention of the Doctoral Program Committee to make admissions and stipend offers by April 15.
Fellowships and assistantships are available. The amount and type of support will depend on the university budget, faculty research grants, and the need for teaching and graduate assistants.
Prospective Student FAQs
When is the application deadline?
Completed applications are due by December 1.
When will I know if I have been admitted into the Ph.D. in School Psychology program?
We plan to notify students of admission by April 15th each year.
Can I start the program in the spring semester?
No, all admitted students begin coursework during the fall semester.
Do I have to submit GRE scores?
Yes, this is a requirement of the Ph.D. in School Psychology program.
Can I be admitted to the Ph.D. in School Psychology program conditionally and then take the GRE and/or the TOEFL?
No, your test scores must be a part of your complete application to be considered for admission.
What are the minimum GRE scores required for admission?
We consider all applicants holistically, carefully examining all application materials. A student's GRE score is interpreted in light of these other materials, but the program does require a minimum score of 3.5 on the Analytical Writing portion of the GRE.
What are the minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores required for admission?
Minimum scores include a score of at least 600 on the TOEFL paper version, at least 100 on the TOEFL Internet version, or at least 7 on the IELTS.
Can I apply directly to the Ph.D. program if I do not have an MA?
Yes, students with a bachelor’s degree and students with a master’s degree are both eligible for the Ph.D. in School Psychology program.
Can I receive credit for similar coursework that I have already completed as part of an MA program?
Applicants with a master’s degree in the field of the doctoral program of interest or related field may apply for a maximum of 30 semester credit hours of previously earned graduate credit, pending approval from the Graduate Program Committee, academic College, and Dean of the Graduate School; provided the credit has not been used toward another doctoral degree. There is no guarantee that students will be able to apply previously earned graduate credit to the Ph.D. in School Psychology program.
Will I receive financial aid?
All Ph.D. students will be considered for assistantships during the admission process. Awards will be contingent upon funding. However, you are also eligible to apply for financial assistance (in the form of subsidized and unsubsidized loans, grants, and other forms of aid) via the University's financial aid office.
What does the admissions committee look for in a Ph.D. applicant?
Faculty in our department review all applicants. In many cases, they are seeking to admit students who share similar research interests. In addition, faculty expect to read strong statements of purpose, including a clear rationale for pursuing the Ph.D. in School Psychology and commitment to the program.
How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. program?
Students completing the program by following the recommended course sequence can complete the program in 5 years.
How many credits do students typically take each semester?
In the first four years of study, students are expected to take 12 hours per semester (or four classes) during Fall and Spring. Students are expected to take up to 6 hours (or two classes) during the Summer semester. During the fifth year of study, students will be completing a full-time internship experience and may only be taking the internship course.
Can I complete the program while also working full-time?
Due to the length of the program, number of hours required, dissertation requirements, practicum requirements, and internship requirements, it would be difficult to complete the program while working full-time.
What license(s) can I obtain after completing the program?
In Texas, students who complete the Ph.D. in School Psychology program are eligible to be Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Psychological Associates, and Licensed Specialists in School Psychology through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP). However, completing the program does not guarantee licensure. Students must complete TSBEP applications for licensure.
Is the Ph.D. in School Psychology program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)?
No, the Ph.D. program is not currently accredited by the APA. The Ph.D. program was designed with APA accreditation standards in mind, and an intent to apply for accreditation in the future. However, APA accreditation requires student outcome data, which is not currently available given the recent establishment date of the Ph.D. program. We plan on seeking APA accreditation when appropriate.
I would like to communicate with the Graduate Advisor for the Ph.D. in School Psychology program before submitting my application. Who should I contact?
Please contact the Graduate Advisor of Record (GAR) for the program. The current GAR can be reached via email.
