Program Description

The APA-accredited* Ph.D. program in School Psychology is grounded in the scientist-practitioner model of training. The program adheres to the idea that practice and research should reciprocally influence and strengthen each other. The program prepares students to integrate scientific knowledge and skills into all professional activities, to promote empirically established practices on behalf of those being served, and to exemplify the legal and ethical standards of the psychology profession.

The primary purpose of the program is to prepare students to provide and promote empirically-supported psychological services for children, youth, families, and schools. The program is founded on the central belief that school psychologists offer a unique and valuable contribution to society through the provision of scientifically sound prevention and intervention services. The need for quality school psychological services has been strongly felt throughout the state of Arkansas, the United States, and beyond. The Ph.D. program responds to this need in a pragmatic manner by emphasizing mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention at the individual, group, and systemic/programmatic levels.

Housed within the Department of Psychology and Counseling in the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, the program emphasizes the professional identity of school psychologists within the broader field of psychology, a breadth and depth of professional training that prepares candidates to competently perform a variety of school psychology functions, and an education that values and respects cultural diversity among candidates, faculty, and service recipients.

* For more information or questions about APA accreditation, contact: APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, (202) 336-5979.

Program Highlights

• 120-credit-hour program including dissertation research and 2,000 hour internship
• Research Assistantship & Teaching Assistantship  positions available
• Close working relationships with School Psychology faculty members
• Opportunities for leadership in departmental graduate student association and as student representatives to Arkansas School Psychology Association, National Association of School Psychologists, and American Psychological Association
• Funding available for conference travel to present research
• Typically, 4-6 students admitted each year

Related Links

• Program goals
• Sample curriculum & course descriptions
• Doctoral practicum & internship information
• Certification & licensure in Arkansas

Prospective Students

• Admission Information and Application Form
  • Applications are due February 10
  • 2012 interviews are March 2
• Program Costs and Financial Assistance
• Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data
• Diversity
• List of Current UCA Student Organizations
• Links to information on Conway, Central Arkansas
  • www.conwayar.org
  • www.conwayonline.com
  • www.thecabin.net
  • www.conwayarkcc.org
  • www.littlerock.com
  • www.littlerock.org

Current Students

• Group Picture - Orientation Meeting 2011
• 2011-12 Student representatives
• Recent Program Newsletter
• Practicum/Internship Forms
  • Log Form for Doctoral Students (Excel file)
  • Practicum-Internship Supervisor Information Form (Word file)
  • Doctoral Practicum/Internship Supervisor Rating Scale (Word file)
  • Doctoral Practicum/Internship Self Rating Scale (Word file)
  • Student Evaluation of Practicum-Internship Site (Word file)
  • Doctoral Practicum Contract (Word file)
  • Minimum Requirements for Doctoral Practicum Course Sequence
• Other Program Forms
• 2011-12 Doctoral Program Handbook

Professional Information

• American Psychological Association
• APA Division 16 – School Psychology
• Arkansas School Psychology Association
• Arkansas Psychology Board
• Arkansas Department of Education / Special Education

Faculty Research

• Departmental Faculty
• Dr. Joan Simon, Program Director
• Dr. Ron Bramlett
• Dr. John Murphy