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College of Psychology

Meet the Growing Demand for School Psychologists

Our educational system urgently needs more school psychologists to drive better learning and mental health, safe, positive climates, stronger family/school collaboration and higher institutional accountability. If you’re inspired by the challenge, your timing couldn’t be better. There’s a national shortage of qualified experts, and these skills are in demand.

The NSU Psy.D. in School Psychology program prepares you to serve the educational, behavioral, social and emotional needs of students, families, teachers and staff. Collaborate closely with  top-tier faculty who have built experience at the highest levels and earned the respect of their peers nationwide.

Class size is strictly small: approximately 10 candidates are chosen per year. This is so each of you is assured faculty access and mentoring few other programs can match. (In fact, the close faculty/student collaboration is frequently mentioned by NSU alumni as one of the standout benefits.)

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1 of 10 Psy. D. Programs in School Psychology 

The College of Psychology Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program in School Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. Questions related to the accredited status of the program should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002

Phone: (202) 336-5979
E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: apa.org/ed/accreditation

The doctoral curriculum is designed to be consistent with the Florida state licensure requirements as both a school psychologist and a psychologist under Chapter 490, Florida Statutes.

National NASP Recognition

The NSU School Psychology Psy.D program also holds the designation of full accreditation by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

Quick Facts

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Delivery Options
Held on Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus.
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Start Dates
The School Psychology Psy.D. program is offered once per year, beginning in August. Submit your application by January 8 (Jan 8 is the early deadline date; June 30 is the late deadline date).
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Tuition
Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.
 
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Degree Completion
NSU’s Psy.D. in School Psychology program is a four-year curriculum, including a minimum of 118 total credits to complete and completing a one-year internship to be eligible for the degree.

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Unique Clinical and Internship Experiences

You’ll turn theory into satisfying practice through your assessment, consultation, and intervention at the Mailman Segal Center (MSC) for Human Development and the University School of NSU (U School), both part of NSU.

You’ll also broaden your clinical practice perspective at the school-related Psychological Assessments and Clinical Interventions (SPACI) Clinic, housed within the NSU Psychology Services Center.

Why NSU?

  • Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association
  • National recognition by the National Association of School Psychologists
    Empirically-based
  • Prepares you for state licensure as a psychologist
  • Stellar faculty: unprecedented access and mentoring

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Rankings and Industry Demand

#19
Best Social Services Jobs by U.S. News and World Report
NASP
Demand for school psychologists is exceptionally strong and on the rise. As life has become more stressful, schools and communities have come under increasing pressure to provide mental health and instructional support for children and youth.
#27
Best STEM Jobs by U.S. News and World Report

 

Which School Psychology Degree is Right for Me – Psy.S. or Psy.D.?

If your goal is to work directly with children in K-12 schools, the Psy.S. degree enables you to graduate sooner, at less cost.
If you seek teaching, researching or senior-level roles, you’ll likely need to earn your doctorate.

Psy.S. in School Psychology

National standard for entry into this specialized field

About three or four years of study + full-time, one-year internship 

Graduate sooner, enter field faster:

  • Qualifies you to pursue comprehensive practice and career advancement primarily in schools or related settings
  • May qualify for private or independent practice (varies by state)

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Psy.D. in School Psychology

Highest level of education in this specialized field

About five to six years of study + full-time, one-year internship

Qualify for broader or higher-level career roles:

  • Comprehensive practice and career advancement in schools, private/independent practice, hospitals 
  • University teaching 
  • Research

Meet Our National School Psychology Experts

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Peter Caproni, Ph.D.

See His Achievements
Dr. Caproni’s focus is school safety (particularly needs of diverse students and students identifying as LGBT), post-traumatic growth, public policy advocacy, mindfulness, collaborative/therapeutic assessment and psychodynamic psychotherapy.
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Ralph Cash, Ph.D., ABPP

See His Achievements
Dr. Cash concentrates on suicide prevention, psychology student training using simulated patients, doctoral-level school psychologist competency determination, and assessments of the effects of public policy advocacy training on advocacy behaviors.
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Iryna A. Kasi, Ph.D.

See Her Achievements
Dr. Iryna Kasi is a licensed psychologist in Florida and Arkansas. Moreover, she is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and holds a diplomate in school neuropsychology from American Board of School Neuropsychology. 
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Nicole Jimenez, Psy.D.

See Her Achievements
Dr. Jimenez is a licensed psychologist and serves as Assistant Director of the School-related Psychological Assessments and Clinical Interventions (SPACI) clinic housed within NSU's Psychology Services Center.
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Scott Poland, Ed.D.

See His Achievements
Dr. Poland’s core interests include school safety, youth suicide, self-injury, bullying, school crisis prevention/intervention, threat assessment and parenting in challenging times.
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Nurit Sheinberg, Ed.D.

See Her Achievements
Dr. Sheinberg's research and professional interests focus on children’s social-emotional development, challenging behaviors in young children, parenting support, autism educational interventions, school readiness, and early care and education quality enhancement initiatives.
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Sarah Valley-Gray, Psy.D, ABPP

See Her Achievements
Dr. Valley-Gray’s passion is psychology training, including areas of supervision, use of standardized patients to prepare beginning psychologists for practice, graduate education in school psychology, and evaluation of competencies in school psychology curricula.
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Angela Waguespack, Ph.D.

See Her Achievements
Dr. Waguespack focuses on school and community efforts to foster healthy development and school readiness, including better access to and implementation of services to improve educational and mental health outcomes for diverse children and families.
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Shannon Worton, Psy.D.

See Her Achievements
Shannon Worton, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist and Director of the School-related Psychological Assessments and Clinical Interventions (SPACI) clinic housed within NSU’s Psychology Services Center.

 

Download Resources

 
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Handbook
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Student Catalog
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