School Psychology Psy.D. Program

Earn your Psy.D. in School Psychology at Georgian Court University in a program devoted to the principles of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). GCU’s program is differentiated by close interaction with faculty mentors, diverse faculty research interests, and the infusion of our Mercy values—respect, compassion, justice, integrity, and service—into every aspect of student experience.

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Program Highlights

Degree

School Psychology, Psy.D.

Average time to complete

3 years (with Advanced Standing) or 5 years (with bachelor’s degree)

Delivery

Hybrid and on-campus (evenings) dependent on year of study

Cost

$1,070.00 per credit

Total credits

47 (with Advanced Standing) or 109-112 (with bachelors’ degree)

Time of entry

Fall

Psy.D. in

School Psychology

A school psychology degree provides the foundation for a meaningful career—one in which you help students become the best versions of themselves. The Psy.D. also enables you to advance education at the systems level. School psychologist jobs are in high demand and offer excellent pay and work-life balance—reasons this career is ranked among the Best Jobs by U.S. News and World Report.

A Psy.D. in School Psychology degree from GCU incorporates a social justice perspective to the education of our students in comprehensive, evidence-based skill development in the areas in assessment, counseling, consultation, prevention services, intervention services, and implementation science.

GCU offers two pathways to earning a Psy.D. in School Psychology depending on your level of education and professional experience.

The advanced standing option is designed for state-certified school psychologists or graduate students graduating with a 60+ credit master’s or specialist degree in school psychology. Our three-year Psy.D. in School Psychology program offers working school psychologists the ability to enhance their school-based practice and expand their practice into other areas such as hospitals, clinics, and private practice.

Students entering directly from their undergraduate program with a bachelor’s degree (including 12-18 credits in psychology) enroll in GCU’s five-year Psy.D. program. In the first two years, students earn the M.A. in School Psychology and progress towards the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) with a focus on promoting professional practice by developing competent, socially conscious professionals capable of providing evidence-based services to children, individual schools and school districts, and school staff members who impact the lives of children. Students in the five-year program also have the option to earn their Board Certified Behavioral Analyst^® (BCBA^®) since GCU offers all the required coursework during the M.A./CAGS program. For the remaining three years of study, students merge into the Advanced Standing Psy.D program to complete their degree.

What Does a School Psychologist Do?

School psychologists bring specialized expertise in mental health, behavior, and learning so students can succeed in school and in life. In addition to working directly with students, a school psychologist partners with families, teachers, administrators, and other professionals within the school team to support positive outcomes for students — academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists with a Psy.D. degree will have the advanced skills needed to design and implement systems-level changes with the goal of increasing effectiveness by capturing and evaluating data, assessing programs, developing new strategies for prevention and intervention, and more.

Program Information

Curriculum

GRE no longer required for applicants

The Psy.D. in School Psychology enrolls students with bachelor’s degrees and credits in psychology and is an integrated sequence of coursework, practicum, and externship experiences. A total of 109-112 credits, including 420 practicum hours, a 1,500- to 1,750 internship, and a dissertation, are required. Students earn the M.A. and CAGS along the way towards completion of the Psy.D. degree.

View the full curriculum and admission requirements for the Psy.D. in School Psychology

The Advanced Standing Psy.D. in School Psychology enables state-certified school psychologists to expand their practice and move into more advanced practice settings. A total of 47 credits, including 120 practicum hours, a 1,500- to 1,750 hour internships, and a dissertation, are required.

View the full curriculum and admission requirements for the Advanced Standing Psy.D. in School Psychology

Faculty

“GCU’s Psy.D. program is unique in that we offer two routes to the doctorate in school psychology: one for working school psychologists and another for students entering the program from undergraduate studies. A focus on social justice, inclusiveness, and our Mercy values further set our program apart. Our Psy.D. emphasizes the development of knowledge and skills for graduates who wish to seek professional employment in public or private schools, pediatric hospitals, child and adolescent mental health facilities, colleges, and universities, and in private practice. Low student-to-faculty ratios in all courses—eight to ten students per course—help assure that program candidates receive the monitoring and support needed to become competent professionals. The cohort model also serves to foster a sense of collaboration and cooperation in addition to allowing students to benefit from each other’s diverse characteristics, experiences, and strengths.”

109 Farley Center
srahill@georgian.edu
732-987-2420

108 Farley Center
tbrown@georgian.edu
732-987-2642

104 Farley Center
ldecapua@georgian.edu
732-987-2709

200 Mercedes Hall
htacovsky@georgian.edu
732-987-2617

Related Programs

If you’re interested in our Psy.D. degree in School Psychology, here are other programs at GCU you might be interested in exploring:

Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis

Why Earn Your Psy.D. in School Psychology Degree at GCU?

GCU’s Psy.D. in School Psychology provides a rigorous, hands-on curriculum with meaningful, frequent interaction with faculty mentors who prepare you for career success and professional fulfillment.

Here are more reasons why Georgian Court offers one of the best school psychology Psy.D. programs in New Jersey.

Experienced Faculty with Diverse Specialty Areas and Resources

Our classes are taught by full-time faculty who bring diverse professional expertise and research areas to Psy.D. coursework. A program graduate adds, “GCU’s faculty is highly experienced in school and in private practice settings. The resources and experience they share are amazing. Going into interviews, directors and supervisors know the program and the faculty. You can make connections to national and state associations.”

Field Experiences and Research Opportunities

The curriculum for the Psy.D. in School Psychology at GCU includes field experiences working with children and youth in real school settings and clinical settings. You’ll also have opportunities to engage in impactful research that aligns with your interests and passion, and present your work at national conferences, such as NASP, often working directly with faculty.

Fellowships that Provide Tuition Benefits

All students in GCU’s Advanced Standing Psy.D. degree program are eligible for fellowships that effectively reduce your tuition by about one third. Fellowship activities may range from engaging with faculty research projects to working as a teaching assistant (T.A.). These opportunities are also “resume building” as they contribute to your professional experience and achievements.

Emphasis on Social Justice

Justice is one of GCU’s core values. Our program prepares you to promote social justice as a school psychologist through culturally responsive professional practice, empowering families and communities and ensuring equity and fairness for all children and youth. Our additional Mercy values—compassion, respect, integrity, and service—are also woven through all facets of the program and student experience.

Targeted for Working Professionals

Georgian Court’s Psy.D. program makes it possible for professionals to work and study with evening on-campus classes and opportunities for online learning. No classes are held on Fridays. “Faculty are understanding and supportive,” according to a GCU Psy.D. program graduate. “While attending the graduate program, I planned a wedding and welcomed my first child. Even while completing my dissertation, I welcomed another baby and was able to stay on track and complete the program with my cohort.”

Psy.D. in School Psychology

What Can You Do with a School Psychology Degree?

For decades, there has been a shortage of school psychologists in the United States. As a result, there’s a high job placement rate for graduates of school psychology programs. In fact, a recent report found that over 99% of school psychology graduates find a job within one year. For a variety of factors—including salary, job market, and work-life balance—the most recent U.S. News and World Report ranks school psychologist #5 in Best Social Services Jobs and #24 in Best STEM Jobs.

School Psychologist Jobs

Most school psychologists with a master’s degree work in public schools, preschools, community centers, and private schools. Graduates with a Psy.D. degree and licensure also work in medical settings and private practice. Depending on where you work, school psychologist jobs may focus on counseling, assessment, crisis preparedness, prevention, intervention, and other activities.

School Psychology Salary

How much does a school psychologist make? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean pay for school psychologists nationally is $82,770 and the average school psychologist salary in New Jersey is $88,570. Keep in mind salaries will vary depending on the type of school in which you work (elementary, secondary, or college, public or private) or non-school settings.

"Having received a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. and Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies in School Psychology from GCU, I again chose GCU for my Psy.D. based on the quality of the education and how well prepared I was to enter the field. Students in the program receive individualized support and guidance to complete their courses and dissertation and prepare for their post-doctoral goals. The Psy.D. program provides opportunities to enhance your research skills, explore different applications of a Psy.D. degree, and enter the next phase of your career with a level of knowledge, preparation, and experience that sets you apart from others. What also distinguishes GCU graduates from other programs is the embodiment of the Mercy Core values—respect, compassion, justice, integrity, and service—which shape everything you do. When working in mental health and educational settings, the embodiment of these values has a life-changing impact on the students, individuals, and families you serve."

"Georgian Court University’s school psychology program focuses on NASP domains ensuring students receive the most valuable academic experience. GCU coursework puts extreme value on counseling and consulting, stressing that building relationships and collaboration with teachers, parents, and community resources is the best way to successfully support students. Rigorous coursework, a fast-paced program, and hands-on learning prepared me for working in the public school system and private practice. Systems-level interventions and crisis management are just two of the areas where my skills grew the most. Leadership roles and financial support are available as a graduate assistant or adjunct faculty member. Faculty research opportunities are available early on which leads to presentations at professional conferences and publications in psychological journals."

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