Make an impact on the wellbeing of young people and help meet the growing need for advanced-practice school psychologists. Aligned with national curriculum standards for school psychology, this rigorous program is the first and only school psychology PsyD program offered online. Through course work, graduate teaching opportunities, and practicum and internship field experiences, you'll develop proficiencies in consultation, supervision, evaluation, research and planning, ethics, and intervention and prevention strategies.
Outcome goals and graduates' proficiency levels
Each doctoral program and specialization is designed around expected learning outcomes (see Expected Program Outcomes below). End of program performance is determined during the comprehensive exam and dissertation process. Because the work is unique to each learner's dissertation or research topic and the criteria for evaluation are aligned to that work, we do not collect data on proficiency levels for doctoral programs.
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in School Psychology
Quality and Professional Relevance
- This program is state-approved by the Arizona Department of Education
- Capella University's Educator Preparation Provider
(EPP) is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of
Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through 2024. CAEP is the only
recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.
- The CAEP Annual Report is available. This report includes impact and outcomes measures for each of offering in Capella’s CAEP-accredited EPP.
- Every faculty member is a Licensed School Psychologist and holds a doctoral degree
Expected Program Outcomes
- Effectively lead problem solving, taking into consideration multiple, complex variables and perspectives.
- Strategize a process for consultation and collaboration with professionals at the leadership level of the school system and outside of the school system, regarding systemic improvement.
- Develop, monitor, and evaluate interventions designed to improve academic performance and address multiple, complex, and challenging issues.
- Develop, monitor, and evaluate interventions designed to improve social, behavioral, and life skills and address multiple, complex, and challenging issues.
- Integrate knowledge of school system structure and evidence-based practice to design school- and district-level interventions.
- Design, evaluate, and monitor systems to prevent and respond to multiple, complex, and challenging issues impacting the schools.
- Analyze multiple, complex, and challenging family issues and their impact on student performance.
- Integrate knowledge of various types of diversity and its potential impact on performance at the school and district level.
- Integrate knowledge of research design, statistics, and measurement techniques to develop complex programs based on best practices.
- Integrate knowledge of professional, ethical, and legal standards of performance and their impact at the school- and district-level.
- Design strategies to supervise and mentor school psychologists.
Doctoral Counseling-Related Degree Program Graduates
Data from graduates across counseling-related doctoral programs have been combined for these Career Outcomes results.
The graphs below show some key findings from Capella's Alumni Outcomes Survey. We use this information to help improve our courses, programs and services and to give you an idea of how alumni are using their degrees.
Career Preparation
All
Counseling-Related Doctoral Graduates
Career Preparation
All
Counseling-Related Doctoral Graduates
The skills and knowledge have been immediately applicable to my career: 88%
My degree has positioned me to achieve my professional ambitions: 70%
Capellas competency based curriculum has prepared me for the needs of my profession: 75%
Percentage of respondents who answered
"strongly agree" or "agree."
Source:
Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation.
The data were collected during Q3 2017 - Q1 2018.
Career Preparation
All
Counseling-Related Doctoral Graduates
Career and Professional
Accomplishments
All Counseling-Related Doctoral Graduates
Made a significant contribution to my profession: 50%
Successfully changed jobs and-or-careers: 33%
Assumed leadership responsibilities: 33%
Received a salary increase: 50%
Received a promotion: 25%
Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes, and Capella does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, or other career growth.
Percentage of respondents who indicated they had accomplished each item.
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2017 – Q1 2018.
Doctoral Counseling-Related Degree Program Graduates
Data from graduates across all counseling-related programs have been combined for these Student Experience results.
The graphs below show some key findings from Capella's Alumni Outcomes Survey. We use this information to help improve our courses, programs and services and to give you an idea of how alumni feel about Capella and what general skills and abilities they gained.
Satisfaction With Capella
All
Counseling-Related Doctoral Graduates
Satisfaction with Capella
All
Counseling-Related Doctoral Graduates
I have or intend to recommend Capella : 63%
I am satisfied with my Capella education : 100%
Capella gave me the most efficient direct path to completing my degree : 100%
Percentage of respondents who answered
affirmatively.
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes
Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3
2017 - Q1 2018.
Skills & Abilities
All
Counseling-Related Doctoral Graduates
Improvements in Skills &
Abilities
All Counseling-Related Doctoral Graduates
Write clearly, accurately, and professionally; use sources appropriately : 100%
Communicate thoughts and ideas in varied settings : 100%
Show ethical conduct reflecting values and beliefs of discipline : 100%
Show knowledge of field; respect contributions of other fields : 100%
Analyze theoretical issues or investigate real-world phenomena, create knowledge : 100%
Locate, evaluate and communicate information; address legal, professional, other issues : 100%
Critically examine, analyze, and evaluate thinking using intellectual standards and creativity : 86%
Critically evaluate, select, and use discipline-appropriate technology : 100%
Show appreciation for group and individual differences : 100%
Demonstrate effective leadership in diverse environments : 86%
Apply the specialized knowledge associated with professional practice area : 100%
Percentage of respondents who rated
themselves as "proficient" or "exceptional" on
ability to demonstrate the skill or ability on the job.
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after
graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2017 - Q1 2018.
Earn Your Doctoral Degree
Become an expert in your field. Enroll in an online PhD, PsyD, or EdD program at Capella.
"I'm able to talk to victims of domestic violence about how to reduce their likelihood of being a victim. This is a real-world application of the Scholar-Practitioner Model and I am honored to be a part of it."
Jesse Collins, PhD
2010 Graduate
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Specialization in Psychology