School Psychology, Ed.D.

This program prepares graduates to work as school psychologists in schools and potentially other clinicalsettings, to develop breadth or depth in the knowledge and skills of evidence-based practices with schoolsand families, expand their skills in evaluating and conducting research or to pursue higher education positions.

Students who successfully complete the Ed.D. may be eligible for the School Psychology endorsement if they have not previously been endorsed, but likely would be required to complete additional courses. Theyalso may be eligible for certification by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) asNationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP) and the Illinois Clinical Psychology license.

Faculty review student progress annually to provide formative evaluation and prepare for the next phase ofthe program using a combination of course grades, portfolio assessments, field-based competencies andprofessional dispositions assessment.

In addition to National College of Education DoctoralAdmissions Requirements, applicants must:

• Submit at least 2 letters of recommendation, which are academic in nature, regarding the applicant’s capacity for graduate work
• Submit written responses to substantive questions that directly speak to the applicant’s intellectual interests, professional goals, compatibility with program and commitments to the values of the program. Each program has its own set of questions and assessment criteria. Applicant responses are considered carefully, along with all other evidence, in determining the applicant’s potential for success in pursuing the Ed.D. degree.
• Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) or ISBE approved alternative
• Note: Applicants may apply to the Ed.D. degree at the time they apply to the M.Ed master’s degree
• Note: Applicants who already hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution may apply to the Ed.D. per required admission criteria
• Note: The admission process occurs in two stages. First, the applicant submits the application and all supporting documentation to the Office of Admissions by the published deadlines. Faculty from the respective doctoral programs reviews the applications. 

The second stage of the admissions process consists of an interview with the program faculty. Because of the limited size of the doctoral programs, only a small number of applicants are selected to participate in the second stage of the admission process. 

The objectives of the interview process are to establish that applicants have clearly defined goals for pursuing doctoral study, to determine that the applicants’ goals may be met through the doctoral programs, to gain further information about the applicants and to clarify areas of concern, to provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions about the programs and to enable applicants to acquaint themselves with faculty in the programs.

Program Details:

• Requires 63 SH for completion
• Requires comprehensive examination
• Requires a dissertation
• Requires a full-school year (9–12 month), paid internship in public schools or approved clinical settings

Required Courses

Research and Dissertation - 21 SH

ESR 604	Dissertation Proposal Seminar	2
ESR 610	Paradigms of Research	2
ESR 612	Empirical/Analytic Research I	3
ESR 614	Interpretive and Critical Research I	3
ESR 616	Empirical/Analytic Research II	3
	or
ESR 618	Interpretive and Critical Research II	3
CCD 699F	Dissertation: School Psychology	1 TO 8

Note: CCD 699F must be taken for a total of 8 semester hours.

School Psychology Core - 29 SH

EPS 654	Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Mental Health	3
EPS 659	Studies in family-school partnerships and relationship-building	3
EPS 668	Diversity and Multiculturalism in Schools	3
EPS 669	Multi-Tiered Systems of Services and Supports as a Vehicle for School Change	3
EPS 670	Fundamentals of Supervision	1 TO 3
EPS 690	Doctoral Internship in School Psychology	2
EPS 692	Doctoral Practicum in School Psychology	2

Notes: EPS 670 must be taken for 3 semester hours. EPS 690 must be taken for a total of 8 semester hours. EPS 692 must be taken for a total of 6 semester hours.

Program Electives - 13 SH

Choose 13 SH of NCE graduate courses with the approval of a doctoral advisor

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is taken after completion of the doctoral, research and program core classes (with the exception of the last research course). Students must pass the comprehensive examination prior to formal work on the dissertation and advancement to candidacy for the Ed.D. degree.