The Doctor of Psychology Program (PsyD) in School Psychology at PCOM has a clearly articulated mission and set of aims, competencies and outcomes consistent with the health service psychology model.
APPLY ONLINEFor the winter 2020-2021 term, PCOM's School of Professional and Applied Psychology plans to utilize a mostly virtual model of course delivery with extremely limited face-to-face single class experiences in some programs. Please read an important message from Dean Robert A. DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP for additional information regarding course delivery plans for the upcoming semester.
The mission of the PCOM School Psychology PsyD program is to train, develop and prepare entry-level school psychologists with a focus on applied behavior analysis, empirically supported cognitive behavioral techniques and advanced assessment.
Adopting the practitioner-scholar model of education, the program prepares graduates to provide research-based direct and indirect school psychological services that promote learning and well-being of all children with sensitivity to culture and diversity. The program also trains students to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary settings as health service psychologists and to engage in self-care and self-reflection.
The PsyD program is designed to be completed within a minimum of five years and a maximum of seven years of study. The program will require at least 108 doctoral credits, with four years of academic coursework completed at PCOM, a dissertation,and a one year doctoral-level internship required before graduating. The PsyD Program is a full-time program with a minimum of two days a week of required practicum experiences that begin in the second year of the program. View the course sequence and field training description for additional information.
For more information regarding our program, please contact Katie Garson, Coordinator of School Psychology Programs, at katiega@pcom.edu or 215-871-6463 or complete our online request for information form:
REQUEST PROGRAM INFORMATIONHighlights of PCOM's School Psychology PsyD program include:
Our faculty are highly credentialed school psychologists who are nationally renowned practitioner-scholars and researchers in the field.
The program's multicultural focus prepares school psychologists to have a positive impact on pluralistic systems and communities.
Standardized client actors immerse students in realistic experiences and clinical situations.
Students complete coursework in specialized areas such as neuropsychology in the schools, cognitive behavioral therapy and applied behavior analysis.
The PsyD program can be completed in as few as five years, including coursework, practicum, internship and dissertation.
Graduates of the PsyD program qualify for the Examination of Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) for partial fulfillment of the requirements for professional licensure.
School psychologists support the educational, emotional and social well-being of school-aged children.
Applications to the PsyD program will be considered throughout the year. Visit our application requirements page to learn about course prerequisites, program requirements, the application process and more.
PCOM is committed to helping students maximize funding sources and minimize student debt. Visit our Office of Financial Aid section to learn about cost of attendance, types of aid available and how to apply for financial aid.
PCOM’s School Psychology PsyD program is accredited on contingency by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association.
Accredited on contingency is an APA-accredited status and designates that the program is consistent, substantively and procedurally, with APA's Standards of Accreditation with the exception of the provision of outcome data. The PsyD Program in School Psychology at PCOM began accepting students in 2016 and will graduate its first cohort in 2021. As such, we do not yet have the full complement of outcome data available. Students that graduate from a program with this accreditation status have completed an APA-accredited program. APA has granted the PsyD program in School Psychology at PCOM accredited on contingency status through October 20, 2024.
For general information about APA accreditation or specific information about the accreditation status of PCOM’s School PsyD program, please contact:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979
Email: apaaccred@apa.org
www.apa.org/ed/accreditation