Academic Program

School Psychology

Doctoral Degree

The Doctoral (PhD) School Psychology Program at the University of Cincinnati is dedicated to preparing highly competent professional school psychologists according to the scientist-practitioner model. As a result of their comprehensive training, graduates are prepared to make significant contributions to this challenging field through the most up-to-date and research-based professional practice, administration and supervision, teaching, research, and personal leadership. The doctoral program entails five years of full-time study for students entering with an undergraduate degree; including 3 years of sequential course work and integrative field experiences, a year (minimum of 1500 hours) of internship, doctoral comprehensive examinations (completed as portfolio), and research and dissertation requirements. The Masters Degree (MEd) is earned upon completion of requirements in year 1. The doctoral program is full-time, with an option for a highly prescribed part-time option (see application packet).

Admission Requirements

Admission Guidelines

Students who wish to be admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy in School Psychology (PhD) program must meet all the minimum requirements established by the program:

  • The applicant must possess a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Most applicants have undergraduate degrees in psychology or related fields.
  • In extraordinary situations, candidates who graduate from a non-accredited college or university may be admitted by a committee of faculty members from the program to which the candidate applied, based upon their evaluation of evidence submitted by the candidate. As a minimum, the evidence must address mastery of the knowledge prerequisite to the courses required by the program, acceptable writing skills, the ability to engage in analytic and synthesis level thinking, and a personal commitment to completing the doctoral program.
  • The applicant who possesses a master degree prior to admission must have a graduate grade point average of at least 3.00 in any graduate level work undertaken before admission. All calculations are based on a 4.0 scale.
  • The applicant who only possesses a Baccalaureate degree prior to admission must have an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0. All calculations are based on a 4.0 scale.

Candidates who are not accepted into a doctoral program may not apply again for at least one calendar year. During that year, unsuccessful applicants may be encouraged by the program to which they are applying to enroll in appropriate course work (no more than 9 credit hours) to demonstrate their potential for doctoral level work. Completion of this course work does not guarantee admission into the program.

Candidates who are accepted but fail to enroll for the quarter specified in the acceptance letter may invalidate their admission. Failure to enroll within one academic year will automatically terminate the student's admission.

International Admission Requirements

TOEFL Scores:

The TOEFL is required of all applicants whose native language is not English, including those with F-1 visas and green cards. The test must have been taken within the five years prior to admission to the University of Cincinnati. The minimum acceptable score is 520 on the paper test, 190 on the electronic test, and 68 on the internet-based test.

The TOEFL requirement may be waived for students with a degree from an accredited American college or university in which coursework was taught in English. Waivers also may be granted for students who earned at least a 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam or at least a B in the Cambridge CPE exam. Requests to waive the TOEFL requirement should be sent with the appropriate documentation to the Assistant University Dean for Advanced Studies for consideration.

Application Information

Application Procedures

Admission occurs only in the Fall quarter for the School Psychology Program. Applicants are reviewed following the January 15 application date. After review of files, interviews with selected applicants are conducted typically in late February or early March. Students are informed of admission decisions in March. The program adheres to the decision date for students of April 15 in accordance with the Council of Graduate Schools Policy.

Transcripts:Provide one copy of final and interim transcripts bearing official seals from all institutions attended, showing courses, grades, all degrees and dates of attendance. Applicants whose previous degrees were earned at the University of Cincinnati may substitute "on-campus" transcripts. International students should submit official, translated transcripts.

Goal Statement:Provide one typewritten copy of your academic and professional goals, up to 3 pages long, explaining your career choice, goals in school psychology, and your decision to pursue graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati. This writing sample will also be used as one of the criteria for evaluating the application.

Current Vita (Resume):One typewritten copy of your resume relevant to academic and professional data. It should include: name; address; phone; email address; citizenship; college(s) attended with degrees, dates conferred and grade point average; employment history; research experience; professional and related experience; volunteer activities; present employer; and names of references who are writing letters for you.

Recommendations:Provide at least three current letters of recommendation from people familiar with your academic and professional abilities. These letters are to be sent directly to Admissions Coordinator, School Psychology Program, University of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 210002, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0002.

Graduate Record Examination:Provide original copy of scores taken within the seven year period preceding admission. All sections of the General Tests are required. Provide both the college and the program to which scores are to be sent or we will not receive the scores. You must allow at least six weeks for GRE scores to reach our office. To facilitate time, we will accept original student copies of the scores if they are enclosed with the above materials. This will allow us to process your application; however, you must still have ETS send us the original scores. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want your student copy returned to you. Computer administered versions of the GRE are available at UC Monday-Saturday. For information on the procedures for taking the Graduate Record Examination via computer, call (513) 556-0648 or go to 316 Dyer Hall.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all materials are received prior to the deadline dates, including the application and appropriate GRE scores. Please check all other pertinent dates carefully and start the application process much earlier than the time you hope to be starting classes.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED AND MAY NOT BE RETURNED. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, GRE AND TOEFL SCORES, TRANSCRIPTS, AND RECOMMENDATION LETTERS.

Applications and Further Information

If you would like to submit an electronic application for the School Psychology program, please visit our On-Line Graduate School Application at https://www.grad.uc.edu/admissions/app/ and complete the form.

You will be responsible for contacting the School Psychology program directly to inquire about additional application requirements that need to be satisfied before you application is complete.

. To request print copies of additional department information or a paper application form, please visit our Request for Information page at https://www.grad.uc.edu/request-information.aspx and complete the on-line form. Your information will be sent to the proper person in the School Psychology program and you will receive an information packet in the mail.

Application Deadlines
Application Deadlines

Quarter: Autumn (begins September)

Deadline: January 15

Program Requirements

Program Details
Program Timeline

Listed below are the important stages that mark the progression through all programs leading to a Doctoral Degree in School Psychology. The primary stages for completion of a doctoral program are as follows:

  • Application for admission
  • Financial aid application
  • Completion of admission review and interview process
  • For accepted students, notification of acceptance
  • Program planning and preliminary hearing
  • Masters Degree (MEd) awarded based on successful completion of all curriculum requirements and masters comprehensive examination
  • Completion of a Program of Study, including coursework, field experiences, and research experiences
  • Written comprehensive examination (Portfolio)
  • Advancement to candidacy
  • Completion of 1500 hour Doctoral Internship
  • Formation of dissertation committee
  • Dissertation proposal hearing
  • Dissertation defense
  • Graduation
Career Possibilities
Career Opportunities

Doctoral Program graduates have been very successful in employment outcomes. Graduates have a 100% placement rate in employment and a 100% pass rate on national licensure/certification examination. Many graduates have had leadership positions in professional associations and received professional practice awards. About one-third of doctoral graduates are in university settings. Many students and graduates have published in national journals in school psychology, special education, and early intervention and presented with faculty at national conventions.

Financial Aid

On a limited basis, two types of financial aid are available to full-time graduate students through the Division of Human Services. The Graduate Assistantship (GA) is a stipend and tuition award. The University Graduate Scholarship (UGS) offers tuition only and is available for the academic year. . You must be admitted into a graduate program before you can receive these awards.

Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in School Psychology is based on a comprehensive 5-year program of study, with 3 years of sequential coursework and integrative field experiences, a year of internship (minimum 1500 hours), doctoral comprehensive examination (completed as portfolio), and research and dissertation requirements. Also, students earn a Masters in Education (MEd) at the end of the spring quarter of the first year of the program if they meet all requirements. The program of study is designed to prepare highly competent professional school psychologists as scientist-practitioners who are trained to be both competent consumers and producers of new knowledge and who are broadly trained to deal with diverse and complex problems from a problem-solving perspective. The doctoral curriculum is based on disciplinary standards for professional psychology, behavioral psychology, and school psychology, including the Guidelines and Principles of the American Psychological Association, Standards of the National Association of School Psychologists, and Guidelines of the Association for Behavior Analysis as well as the Program's philosophy and model of training.