The Ph.D. program in school psychology adheres to the scientist-practitioner model of graduate education in health service psychology. The training is designed to prepare students for the practice of health service psychology based on the scientific method, and to promote the commitment to a career of research directed toward the advancement of the science of psychology. <br><br>Given this mission, the aims are to prepare psychologists who are knowledgeable and competent in (1) research with relevance to psychology and the specialty area of school psychology, (2) the practice of health service psychology, and (3) the specialty area of school psychology. These aims facilitate preparation of health service psychologists who will practice in schools or other educationally related settings that will meet the professional employment demands for: psychologists in psychoeducational research, mental health research specialists in child psychology, psychologists in child treatment agencies, hospitals, and private practice, and professionals in higher education committed to preparing educators and clinicians in psychoeducational services. <br><br>The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (American Psychological Association, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, 202 336-5979, www.apa.org/ed/accreditation) and as such complies with the guidelines and principles for accreditation of programs in health service psychology as outlined by the American Psychological Association. <br><br>Although the program is designed to be at least four academic years of full-time study, students typically take 4-5 years from the baccalaureate degree to complete all doctoral requirements. This involves a total of at least 100 semester hours of coursework, including 15 hours of dissertation research, and a 1500-hour internship that meets the requirements for school psychology.