Field Experience  
School Psychology (PsyD)

Each student must satisfy the residency requirement within the first year. In the School PsyD Program “residency” reflects an intensive commitment to the program by being on campus for a significant period of the program. Candidates in the PsyD program must earn 21 credits within one 12-month period. This is designed to occur in the first year of the program and allows students the opportunity to develop an affiliation with faculty, colleagues and the profession.

Students begin their field experiences in the final term of their first year and continue to engage in practical experiences throughout the program.

First Year

Students complete a one term practicum that focuses on completing a Functional Behavioral Analysis.

Second Year

Students complete a year-long, two day a week practicum in a local area school district as well as three terms of practicum seminar. Seminars are facilitated by school psychology faculty also licensed as psychologists, and provide opportunities for case consultation and group interaction.

Third Year

Students complete a year-long, two day a week practicum outside of a traditional school district, such as in hospitals, community mental health, or alternative education settings, as well as three terms of practicum seminar. Seminars are facilitated by school psychology faculty also licensed as psychologists and provide opportunities for case consultation and group interaction.

Fourth Year

Students complete a yearlong school-based externship as well as three terms of externship seminar. The externship must include at least 600 hours in a school setting to fulfill the minimum school-based hours, when combined with the final internship, to meet the requirement for certification as a school psychologist. Seminars are facilitated by school psychology faculty also licensed as psychologists and provide opportunities for case consultation and group interaction

Fifth Year

All students complete a year-long internship. Students are strongly encouraged to secure an APA-Accredited internship. Those who do not will attend a year-long internship seminar. All internships must meet minimum standards as identified by the Council of Directors of School Psychology Programs (CDSPP).

The internship provides the school psychology doctoral student with an intensive, supervised work experience to develop, practice and integrate new clinical skills. It represents the culmination of the doctoral experience, the last practical training step before becoming a doctoral level school psychologist. Internship may not be completed in less than one year, as per the requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC), the National Register for Health Service Providers, and the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology for pre-doctoral internships. Students work collaboratively with the Director of Clinical Training to secure approved placements.

• 1,500 to 2,000 hours
• Full-time (40 hrs per week) for one year
• OR half time (20 hrs per week) for two years
• Face-to-face individual supervision by a doctoral-level licensed psychologist for a minimum of 2 hours per week
• Bi-monthly seminar classes held on campus