The mission of the University of Florida’s School Psychology Program (SPP) is to prepare school psychology practitioners and scholars whose activities promote the psychological and educational development and well-being of children and youth. The program is grounded in a scientist-practitioner model as reflected in its commitment to a synthesis between science and practice throughout all academic and professional preparation opportunities. As scientists, students develop a solid foundation of content knowledge in core areas of psychology, education, research methods, and professional school psychology. SPP students effectively utilize this body of evolving knowledge to prevent, assess, and intervene regarding psychological and educational issues impacting children, families, and institutions; and to conduct and evaluate basic and applied research. Program faculty strive to demonstrate that scholarly and applied practice roles are not distinct, and instead are inextricably linked when considering the work of school psychologists across a diverse range of practice settings.

The SPP is committed to preparing future school psychologists to assume professional leadership roles in university, school, clinical, and other community settings. Across these settings, school psychologists work to ensure positive educational outcomes for all children and youth, and utilize their professional knowledge and skills to function as change agents. School psychologists help others understand and attain their educational, legal, and individual rights and work to promote change at various levels. To fulfill these critical roles, SPP students develop competencies that sustain their ability to provide a comprehensive range of direct and indirect psychological services to children, youth, their families and educators. This includes competency to use a wide variety of assessment methods; to consult with families, educators and other professionals; to design and implement direct and indirect interventions tailored to individual and group needs; to develop prevention and other intervention programs that promote optimal development; and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, programs, and other school psychological services.

The SPP supports the missions of the university and college by preparing well-qualified practitioners and scholars to deliver psychological services and basic and applied research to meet the diverse needs of the diverse global community.

Degrees Offered with a Major in School Psychology

• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Philosophy
  • concentration in Early Childhood Studies
  • concentration in Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation
• Master of Arts in Education
• Master of Education
• Specialist in Education

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

School Psychology Courses

Special Education, School Psychology and Early Childhood Studies Departmental Courses

School psychology (PHD)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Candidates will identify knowledge of core school psychology content areas including: psychological foundations, assessment, consultation, academic and behavioral interventions, counseling, professional and ethical standards.

SLO 2     Skills     
Candidates will design, implement, and evaluate an empirically validated intervention to demonstrate proficiency in using psychological assessment results.

SLO 3     Skills     
Candidates will present orally and in writing the results and applications of their research and scholarship to demonstrate research proficiency.

SLO 4     Professional Behavior   
Candidates will display professional behaviors and attitudes consistent with School Psychology professional standards and ethical principles including: effective communication and interpersonal skills, respect for diversity and individual differences, and responsive to supervisory feedback.

School psychology (edd)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Candidates will identify knowledge of core school psychology content areas including: psychological foundations, assessment, consultation, academic and behavioral interventions, counseling, professional and ethical standards.

SLO 2     Skills     
Candidates will design, implement, and evaluate an empirically validated intervention to demonstrate proficiency in using psychological assessment results.

SLO 3     Skills     
Candidates will present orally and in writing the results and applications of their research and scholarship.

SLO 4     Professional Behavior   
Candidates will display professional behaviors and attitudes consistent with School Psychology professional standards and ethical principles including: effective communication and interpersonal skills, respect for diversity and individual differences, and responsive to supervisory feedback.

School psychology (eds)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Candidates will identify knowledge of core school psychology content areas including: psychological foundations, assessment, consultation, academic and behavioral interventions, counseling, professional and ethical standards.

SLO 2     Skills     
Candidates will design, implement, and evaluate an empirically validated intervention to demonstrate proficiency in using psychological assessment.

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Candidates will display professional behaviors and attitudes consistent with School Psychology professional standards and ethical principles including: effective communication and interpersonal skills, respect for diversity and individual differences, and responsive to supervisory feedback.

School Psychology (MAE)            

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Candidates will identify knowledge of core school psychology content areas including: psychological foundations, assessment, consultation, academic and behavioral interventions, counseling, professional and ethical standards.

SLO 2     Skills     
Candidates will design, implement, and evaluate an empirically validated intervention to demonstrate proficiency in using psychological assessment.

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Candidates will display professional behaviors and attitudes consistent with School Psychology professional standards and ethical principles including: effective communication and interpersonal skills, respect for diversity and individual differences, and responsive to supervisory feedback.

School Psychology (MEd)             

SLO 1     Knowledge         Candidates will identify knowledge of core school psychology content areas including: psychological foundations, assessment, consultation, academic and behavioral interventions, counseling, professional and ethical standards.   

SLO 2     Skills     
Candidates will design, implement, and evaluate an empirically validated intervention to demonstrate proficiency in using psychological assessment results.

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Candidates will display professional behaviors and attitudes consistent with School Psychology professional standards and ethical principles including: effective communication and interpersonal skills, respect for diversity and individual differences, and responsive to supervisory feedback.