Doctor of Philosophy in School Psychology University of Nevada Las Vegas, USA

The UNLV School Psychology program is the only training program in Nevada. We work to meet the critical need for school psychologists in Nevada and nationally. You will find that school psychology is a stimulating and rewarding field. We hope that you will choose UNLV for your education and training. Feel free to reach out to any school psychology faculty for any questions, or just to chat!

The Ph.D. in School Psychology is rooted in training that emphasizes cultural diversity, a systems perspective (cultural ecological framework), and the integration of science and practice (scientist-practitioner model). Doctoral students are trained to be health service psychologists (HSPs), with a specialization in school psychology, who address psychological concerns through both scholarly research and the application of psychological knowledge and skills in practice. The Ph.D. in School Psychology trains students to be licensed school psychologists in schools, HSPs licensed for independent practice, and researchers who are able to become faculty in academia. Doctoral students train in schools, The PRACTICE, a community mental health center located in the COE, and other community settings. Training is sequenced and rigorous adhering to training standards espoused by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners (NBPE), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and the Nevada Department of Education (NDOE).

Learning Outcomes

The School Psychology Ph.D. program's high-level aims include the following:

• Train leaders in the field who promote the science of psychology and advocate for the well-being of diverse children and youth through their scholarship and research; and,
• Train health service psychologists to deliver school psychological services and advocate for the well-being of diverse children and youth through their services.

The successful School Psychology PhD program graduate will learn the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to:

• Identify as health service psychologists with a specialty in school psychology who are leader-advocates for children's well-being and rights;
• Provide effective and ethical psychological services from a cultural ecological framework that promote the well-being of diverse children and youth in various community settings; and,
• Critically consume, disseminate, and produce scholarship and research that informs cultural ecological school psychology practice.