Best Ph.D. and PsyD in School Psychology Degree Programs

If you’re interested in making a difference in the lives of kids, earning your doctorate in school psychology can be a fantastic way to achieve your career goals. As a school psychologist, you’ll get to work with students, teachers, and families, helping everyone learn the best way they can support your client.

You’ll likely serve as a jack of all trades when it comes to mental health issues with young people, addressing everything from depression and anxiety to learning differences. You may work in a single school, or you may work with an entire district, switching between schools throughout the week depending on district needs.

You may also have the opportunity to teach sessions in classrooms, helping students with their social-emotional learning goals. Here, we’ll explore what you can expect to learn from an online school psychology doctorate program, as well as the standard admission requirements for earning your doctorate in school psychology and becoming a school psychologist.

2025 Best Online Doctorate in School Psychology Programs

Looking for the best online doctorate in school psychology programs? CounselingPsychology.org has ranked the top options to help you find the right fit. Online programs offer flexibility, making it easier to balance studies with work or family. They are perfect for those who need distance learning or prefer a virtual classroom. These programs prepare you for advanced roles in school psychology from anywhere. Learn more about how we rank these programs at https://counselingpsychology.org/rankings-methodology/.

#1

Georgian Court University

Lakewood, NJ - Private 4-year - georgian.edu

Doctorate - School Psychology, Psy.D.

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Georgian Court University's hybrid Psy.D. in School Psychology program is designed for those aiming to excel in the field without the need for a GRE. It offers two flexible pathways: a five-year track for bachelor's degree holders and a three-year advanced standing option for certified school psychologists. The program emphasizes social justice and evidence-based practices, preparing students for impactful careers in various settings. With a cost of $1,070 per credit and requiring 47-112 total credits, it includes 420 practicum hours and a 1,500-1,750 hour internship. The program boasts a high job placement rate and is taught by faculty with diverse expertise, making it a standout choice for aspiring school psychologists.

• Hybrid and evening program delivery
• Cost: $1,070 per credit
• Two program pathways available
• 47-112 total credits
• 420 practicum hours
• 1,500-1,750 hour internship
• No GRE required
• High job placement rate
• Emphasis on social justice
• Faculty with diverse expertise

#2

University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME - Public 4-Year - usm.maine.edu

Doctorate - School Psychology, Psy.D.

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Southern Maine offers a hybrid Psy.D. in School Psychology, blending online coursework with practical experiences to prepare students for leadership roles in educational settings. This program requires 111 graduate credits, including 600 practica hours and a 1,500-hour internship, focusing on assessment, intervention, and consultation. It meets national certification standards and includes optional MS in Educational Psychology. The GRE is required for admission. Highlights include diverse assessment training, professional ethics, and dissertation research, making it ideal for those seeking comprehensive doctoral training in school psychology.

• 111 total graduate credits required
• 600 hours of practica
• 1,500 hour predoctoral internship
• Multiple professional credentialing options
• Meets national and state certification standards
• Optional MS in Educational Psychology
• Hybrid program format
• Dissertation research required
• Professional ethics training included
• Diverse assessment and intervention focus

#3

Rivier University

Nashua, NH - Private 4-year - rivier.edu

Doctorate - Psy.D. in Counseling and School Psychology

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Rivier University's hybrid Psy.D. in Counseling and School Psychology stands out for its APA accreditation, blending rigorous academic coursework with practical training. This program, requiring a GRE for admission, is tailored for those aiming to excel in mental health professions, offering a unique practitioner-scholar model. Over a minimum of five years, students delve into psychological assessment, intervention strategies, and consultation, complemented by multiple practicum experiences and a 2000-hour internship. Priced at $1,275 per credit, it's designed for working professionals with weekday evening classes. Notably, it meets New Hampshire's psychology licensing requirements, making it a prime choice for aspiring practitioners.

• APA fully accredited program
• Minimum 5-year doctoral program
• 60-130 total credit hours
• $1,275 per credit cost
• Practitioner-scholar training model
• Weekday evening course schedule
• Multiple practicum experiences
• 2000-hour internship required
• Meets NH psychology licensing requirements

*Institutional data extracted from: IPEDS 2023, NCES.

What Will I Learn in an Online School Psychology Doctorate Program?

Earning your Ph.D. or Psy.D. in school psychology online qualifies you for a number of jobs working with young minds, from serving school districts develop effective social-emotional learning curricula to helping students develop ways to reduce test anxiety. Typically, it takes about eight years to complete a doctorate program in school psychology online. You may need to go through a residency or internship program, which may add to the amount of time it takes for you to complete your doctorate.

As you work through your school psychology doctorate program, you’ll cover many topics, including:

• Child and adolescent psychopathology: In your psychopathology courses, you’ll learn about mental health issues that often affect children and adolescents, how to identify these conditions, and how to work with students and their families to create effective treatment plans that allow each of your clients to maximize their potential.

• Academic assessment and intervention: As a school psychologist, you’ll work to support students in the classroom. Often, this involves observing students working with their teachers and their peers and identifying issues that are holding them back. After completing assessments, you’ll work with students, teachers, and administrators to develop effective interventions that boost student achievement.

• Cognitive assessment: In your doctoral program, you’ll learn how to assess students’ cognitive abilities, allowing teachers to get the information they need to craft appropriate curricula.

• Research design and methods: As a school psychologist, you’ll have the unique opportunity to contribute to research in the field. In your research design and methods class, you’ll get the chance to explore how to create an effective study, and you’ll learn how to unpack complicated academic studies into actionable steps that you can put into practice with your students.

Admissions Requirements for a Doctorate in School Psychology

In order to gain admission to an online school psychology doctorate program, you’ll need to submit both your undergraduate and graduate transcripts. If you don’t have a master’s degree, you may be able to submit a combination of work experience and your bachelor’s transcripts. In some cases, you may need to have a minimum GPA in order to be considered for admission to a program. Your program may require that your undergraduate degree be in a related field, such as education, psychology, or sociology.

Many programs also require that you submit a statement of purpose explaining what you’d like to do with your career. You may also need to include letters of recommendation from your professors or work supervisors.

List of School Psychology Doctorate Degree Programs

Find an online or campus-based doctorate program in school psychology today – our state-by-state listings make it easy to find a great program near you.

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Joel Gill

Joel Gill is a writer with a background in psychology. He earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and has a deep interest in the human mind and behavior. Joel's writing often explores themes related to mental health, relationships, and personal growth. When he’s not writing, Joel enjoys cycling, meditation, and spending time with his family.