Overview
The goal of the School Psychology doctoral program is to train professionals to provide psychological services to children in a variety of settings including schools, clinics, and hospitals. The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Additionally, the program includes a course sequence verified by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), enabling students to complete the coursework required for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential. Students completing the doctoral degree program with an emphasis in School Psychology will be eligible for licensure as a psychologist through the Mississippi Board of Psychology and as a school psychologist through the Mississippi State Department of Education.
Professional Licensure Disclosure: Programs at The University of Southern Mississippi are designed to meet the professional competency standards for licensure in Mississippi. The University of Southern Mississippi cannot determine whether any program leads to licensure in any state other than Mississippi. It is recommended that students who intend to seek licensure in another state verify that their program of study meets the desired state’s licensure requirements. For assistance with out-of-state licensure questions, please refer to the Professional Licensure Disclosures webpage.
Accreditation: For information about program accreditation status, contact the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association at:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979
TDD/TTY: 202-336-6123
Fax: 202-336-5978
apaaccred@apa.org
Admission Requirements
In addition to the requirements detailed in Admission Requirements and Procedures , applicants must submit the following documents:
- Statement of Purpose - Refer to the instructions found in the online application.
- CV/Résumé
- Licenses or certifications if applicable
- Three Letters of Recommendation
New students are admitted each fall semester. Applications received by December 1 each year will receive a full review for the following fall cohort. A student may be invited to come to campus for a personal interview as part of the application process.
The School of Psychology values diversity; members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
