The PhD in School Psychology program is designed to prepare future psychologists capable of contributing to the academic, emotional, and social-behavioral well-being of children and adolescents through the implementation of evidence-based services, as well as to the science that informs psychological knowledge and practice. Via a scientist-practitioner training model, students will demonstrate (a) an understanding of content in a variety of domains of psychological science, (b) professional behavior and effective communication, and (c) professional competencies in assessment, intervention, consultation, supervision, and research. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to prepare graduates as scientist-practitioners with careers as professional health service psychologists and faculty in school psychology training and research programs.
Students completing the program obtain the Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in School Psychology. Students in PhD programs are trained to both create and disseminate the scholarly research upon which science and practice are built, as well as utilize such research to engage in evidence-based practice.
The program’s focus area is School Psychology. The program does not have a major focus or combination of focus in other areas (i.e., the program does not have a major focus – or combination of focus – in clinical psychology or counseling psychology).
At this time, the PhD in School Psychology program is not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), nor is the program approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). In the Fall 2025 semester, the program faculty submitted a ‘Self-Study’ as the initial step in the application for APA ‘Accredited, on Contingency’ status.
Department Chair and Professor, Director, Urban Education Institute
Educational Psychology
The PhD in School Psychology program is a 111 credit hour program designed for continuous, full-time enrollment. In addition to general coursework, students are required to complete intensive, field-based practicum experiences, a dissertation, and a doctoral internship. The program requires a minimum of 3 full-time academic years of graduate study in the program at UTSA (i.e., full-time in-residence study in the UTSA PhD in School Psychology program), plus an internship prior to receiving the doctoral degree. However, most students will complete a minimum of 4 full-time years of in-residence graduate study in the UTSA PhD in School Psychology program, plus an internship, for a total of 5 years.
Previous graduate-level coursework may be applied to the PhD in School Psychology program of study on a case-by-case basis. As indicated in the UTSA Graduate Catalog, applicants with a master’s degree in the field of the doctoral program of interest or related field may apply a maximum of 30 semester credit hours of previously earned graduate credit toward a post-baccalaureate doctoral degree program, 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.
Students may apply to the program via the UTSA Admissions website. Applications are due December 1st of each year for admission in the fall semester of the following year.
Applicants to the program must have:
Required application materials include:
The GRE is not required for applicants.
Selected applicants will participate in an interview with program faculty and in informative sessions with current PhD in School Psychology students. Applicants who are unable to attend an on-campus interview will be offered an interview via audio and video teleconference.
Detailed program information, including policies and procedures for various aspects of the program, is included in the following program handbooks:
The program ‘School Psychology Student Admission, Outcomes, and Other Data’ document is provided in order to assist potential students in making informed choices about entering the program and to provide information to other interested parties. The document provides de-identifies information on student outcomes for the preceding 10 years and is updated on an annual basis.
The UTSA PhD in School Psychology program is not currently accredited through the American Psychological Association (APA). However, prior to accreditation, graduating students can still apply for licensure as psychologists under the “equivalent” provision that is available in some states. The program has been designed to adhere to APA accreditation standards and faculty believe it to be an “equivalent” program. Nonetheless, the final arbiter of who is eligible for licensure as a psychologist in any given state or jurisdiction can only be made by the pertinent state/jurisdiction licensing board. As such, UTSA faculty cannot assure nor take responsibility for graduates meeting all educational requirements under the “equivalent” provision for licensure in every state/jurisdiction.
The program has provided a Table which represents faculty estimates as to whether the program satisfies licensure requirements in each U.S. State prior to the program receiving APA accreditation. That said, students should contact state licensing boards directly for the most current licensing requirements.
For a better understanding of the program cost of attendance, please visit the UTSA Tuition and Fees website. The site provides students with an opportunity to review estimated costs via resources such as a tuition calculator and regularly updated tuition and fee schedules.
Students will be notified of available doctoral funding at the time that they are notified about their admission to the program. Admission to the program is not a guarantee of funding, as the program cannot guarantee funding to any student. Funding – offered via doctoral student packages – is limited and is awarded on a competitive basis.
Besides doctoral student packages, graduate students may be afforded funding and financial institutions through a variety of others sources, including grants, loans, scholarships, and institutional fellowships.
For additional information on university-wide policies, procedures, and resources, see:
Jordan Morgan
Assistant Professor of Practice
Director of the Psychological Assessment and Consultation Center (PACC)