Program Availability
The School Psychology PsyD is a hybrid, on-campus program offered on the Indiana State University campus in Terre Haute, Indiana. The program is open to U.S. and international applicants who satisfy admission requirements.
Why Earn a School Psychology PsyD at Indiana State?
Our doctoral program in School Psychology began in 1965 and enjoys the rich history of being one of the first such programs in the state of Indiana. The program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). We offer a student-centered, comprehensive education. In addition to coursework, you will gain advanced training through extensive practicum experiences that begin in the first semester of study and culminate in a 2000-hour internship. Our graduates are prepared to be professional psychologists in schools, hospitals, private practice, and universities.
See Student Admissions, Outcomes, & Other Data.
For more details about our program, see the Program Handbook.
Benefit from Rich and Diverse Fieldwork Experiences
Field experiences are critical learning opportunities that provide the foundation needed to become a successful psychologist. Full-time students enroll in practica or externship during each semester of the first three years of the program and enroll in internship during the fifth year. Students may complete an additional part-time externship during their fourth year in the program. Practicum, externship, and internship experiences are sequential and graded in complexity, beginning with closely supervised practice in basic skill areas and gradually progressing to greater independence and a broader diversity and complexity of skill application. All field-based activities are completed under the direction of university-designated supervisors and course instructors.
Hybrid Delivery Format
Coursework in the program utilizes a variety of instructional delivery options, including distance, hybrid, and face-to-face instruction. In-person attendance is required on-campus every fall and spring term prior to the internship year, thus maintaining a consistent residency requirement. The residency requirement serves to support student development, professional mentoring, and socialization, and to facilitate faculty assessment of student competencies.
Internship Opportunities
The final internship experience may be completed by participating in a nationally recognized matching process through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers or by crafting an individualized internship experience in Indiana through the ISU School Psychology Internship Consortium. The ISU School Psychology Internship Consortium partners with school districts, private practices, and community mental health providers in Indiana to provide a sequential, organized internship experience that meets the internship requirements of the American Psychological Association and the Council of Directors of School Psychology Programs. Applications are accepted through April 1 of the academic year preceding the desired internship placement. For more information about the consortium, including application instructions, see the School Psychology Internship Consortium Manual.
Learn from Our Excellent Faculty
As a student in our School Psychology program, you will benefit from faculty who are exceptional practitioners and applied researchers with diverse professional backgrounds and interests. Their commitment to excellence is evident throughout their teaching, service, and research activities. Their work often emphasizes collaboration with students and community engagement. Our support staff excels at promoting the mission of the department and working closely with students and faculty. Most importantly, our graduate students are bright, dedicated, and emergent practitioners and scholars in their own right. Their work greatly enriches our department, university, and surrounding communities.
Professional Engagement Opportunities
As a graduate student in the School Psychology program, you will have opportunities to become a student affiliate or member of a variety of professional organizations, including the ISU chapter of Student Affiliates in School Psychology (SASP), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the Indiana Association of School Psychologists, and the American Psychological Association. In addition, you will have opportunities to attend and participate in state and national professional conferences.
Assistantships and Financial Aid
Graduate Assistantships (GAs) are offered on a competitive basis. GAs allow graduate students the opportunity to work on campus for up to 20 hours a week. GAs come with a stipend and partial tuition waiver. In addition, travel and research awards are offered on a competitive basis for graduate student travel to conferences, particularly to support students with accepted conference presentations.
Graduate students may also be eligible for loans and grants. For information, visit the University’s Office of Student Financial Aid.
What You’ll Learn in the School Psychology PsyD Program
The School Psychology PsyD program can be completed in five years of full-time study that includes coursework, a range of practicum experiences, an applied research project, and a 2000-hour internship. A minimum of 101 credits and achievement of all required competencies are required to graduate.
Coursework is divided among the following areas:
- Research and Statistical Methods (21 credits): Provides a foundation in research methodology, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and independent research design and implementation. Includes a 12-credit sequence that supports the completion of the final research project.
- Psychological Foundations (15 credits): Addresses discipline-specific knowledge expected of all doctoral students in recognized practice areas of psychology. Includes coursework in developmental, affective, social, biological, and cognitive bases of behavior.
- School Psychology Specialization (47 credits): Addresses profession-wide competencies expected of all doctoral students in recognized practice areas of psychology, including assessment, intervention, communication and interpersonal skills, consultation, supervision, individual and cultural diversity, and professional ethics.
- Applied Clinical Experiences (18 credits): Applied experiences include graded and sequential practica, externship, and internship experiences that accompany coursework and provide the opportunity for the supervised application of professional knowledge and skills in practice settings.
Note: The PsyD degree is regarded as an advanced practitioner’s degree and, as such, is a continuation of work completed in pursuit of a master’s degree. Students admitted to this program will earn the Master of Education (MEd) in School Psychology en route to completion of the PsyD degree. Students who have already earned a master’s degree in a related field may be offered the opportunity to pursue the PsyD degree without also earning the MEd in School Psychology.
Important Certification, Endorsement, and Licensure Information
- Indiana School Psychologist Certification: Students who successfully complete all program requirements for the PsyD in School Psychology meet the educational requirements for licensure as a School Psychologist in Indiana.
- Indiana Psychology Licensure and Health Service Provider in Psychology (HSPP) Endorsement: Completing the PsyD in School Psychology aligns with the educational requirements for licensure as a Psychologist in Indiana. Students are eligible to begin this licensure application process after completing all requirements for the PsyD degree.
- Out-of-State School Psychologist Certification: Students who complete the PsyD program meet educational requirements for licensure as a School Psychologist in states that recognize NASP-approved programs as an acceptable educational experience.
- Out-of-State Psychology Licensure: Although requirements vary by state, the PsyD in School Psychology aligns with the educational requirements for licensure as a Psychologist in most states. Faculty actively work with students to identify and meet requirements for licensure in other states, according to students’ identified licensure goals.
- Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP): Students are eligible to apply for their NCSP, granted by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), once the PsyD degree has been posted on the official transcript.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is considered on a case-by-case basis. Students may be able to transfer previous graduate coursework or substitute alternative course work to fill a particular course requirement. The determination of the acceptability of transfer credit is made by the student’s advisor in collaboration with other ISU faculty members as needed. For proper consideration of transfer courses, the applicant may be required to provide a catalog description and syllabus for the course they wish to transfer. Applicants should be aware that the university’s guidelines for transfer credit include limitations on the content, age, and number of course credits that can be applied to a graduate degree at Indiana State University.
Career Possibilities for School Psychology Graduates
Indiana State’s PsyD in School Psychology opens up various career opportunities in the fields of education, mental health, research, and policy. Potential career paths include:
- School Psychologist
- Community-, Clinic-, or Hospital-based Practice
- Researcher
- Consultant
- Administrator
- Advocate or Policy Analyst
- University Teaching/Supervision
Demand for school psychologists is exceptionally strong and on the rise. School psychology has consistently been rated among the 100 Best Jobs in U.S. News & World Report. There is a particular need for professionals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Porter School Psychology Center
As a graduate student in our School Psychology program, you may benefit from opportunities to work with clients in the Porter School Psychology Center, a training clinic for school psychology graduate students located on the Indiana State University campus.
Learn more about the Porter School Psychology Center.
Admission Requirements and Instructions
Applications are accepted for Summer or Fall admission. Full consideration is given to applications completed by the end of the first full week in January. Rolling admissions are available for applications completed by April 1 for summer admission and May 1 for fall admission, as space allows.
Admission is based on the following requirements.
Admission Requirements and Information
Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree (in any major) from a regionally accredited institution (for international students, a degree granted by a recognized institution).
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale in the applicant’s major field of study. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA between 2.7 and 3.0 may be provisionally admitted based on the strength of other submitted application materials.
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not required for this program.
Application should include a current curriculum vitae/resume and a 2–3-page written statement describing why the applicant believes they are a strong candidate for admission and how they believe the program aligns with their professional interests and goals.
Application should include contact information (name, phone number, and email address) for two references who know the applicant in an academic and/or professional capacity. Important: Explain to your references that they will receive an email from Indiana State University requesting that they submit a letter of recommendation. Please ensure that your references expect to receive this request. It will be sent to your references immediately upon completing the application.
Application Instructions
Complete Indiana State University’s online application for graduate admission at apply.indstate.edu/apply/.
Submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended. To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from the college attended to: Graduate Admissions, Indiana State University, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809. E-transcripts should be sent to admissions@indstate.edu.
Submit a nonrefundable application fee of $45.00 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) or $65.00 (international students) payable by Visa, MasterCard, or check or money order, payable to Indiana State University. Submit payment to: Indiana State University, Graduate Admissions, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809.
Submit the following as part of the online application process.
- A current resume or curriculum vitae.
- A 2-3-page written statement personal statement describing why the applicant believes they are a strong candidate for admission and how they believe the program aligns with their professional interests and goals.
- Contact information (name, phone number, and email address) for two references who know the applicant in an academic and/or professional capacity. Important: Explain to your references that they will receive an email from Indiana State University requesting that they submit a letter of recommendation. Please ensure that your references expect to receive this request. It will be sent to your references immediately upon completing the application.
- International applicants: Submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (http://www.ets.org/toefl) or provide equivalent evidence of language proficiency. Submit scores to: Indiana State University, Graduate Admissions, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809. For important information, see Instructions for International Students.
Applications are accepted for Summer or Fall admission. Full consideration is given to applications completed by the end of the first full week in January. Rolling admissions are available for applications completed by April 1 for summer admission and May 1 for fall admission, as space allows. Application materials submitted after the deadlines will not be considered.
Next Steps
Select applicants will be invited for an individual admissions interview. Once admitted, students receive notification from the University as well as their University ID number needed to activate their University Username on the MyISU Portal. The Portal offers access to online registration, University records, and other important University services, including e-mail and University announcements.
Note: Returning ISU students must apply for re-admission if they have not attended Indiana State University for more than two calendar years.
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School Psychology (EdS)
Graduate Certificate / Licensure Ed Specialist
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School Psychology PsyD
Doctoral