School Psychology

The School Psychology doctoral program at LSU is committed to training students to be leaders in education and psychology, who are effective at using scientific problem-solving techniques in both research and practice. The program strongly emphasizes the training of school psychologists who are agents of positive change, equity, and social justice in children’s lives. The development of consultation, behavior analytic, socioemotional wellness, and intervention/treatment skills are major foci of the program. Our training is designed to be sequential, cumulative, graded in complexity, and structured to prepare students for careers in academic, research, and applied settings. Compared to a master’s level or specialist degree, a doctoral degree in school psychology permits a broader range of career options in schools, early intervention settings, clinics, governmental agencies, and academia.  In school systems, graduates typically hold leadership or administrative positions, depending on their interest. Because faculty and students are active in creating new knowledge through research, graduate students can expect solid evidence-based training incorporating the most recent developments in the field. Graduates of the program are recruited heavily by schools, hospitals, clinics, and universities.

Meet Our Program Director

 

Training Style

  •  Behavioral and ecological orientation with a focus on children’s overall behavioral health
  • Scientist-practitioner training approach
  • Strong emphasis on consultation, assessment, and intervention skills
  • “Hands on” approach in schools, clinics, hospitals, and institutions
  • Individualized advising and supervision from faculty mentors in research and applied work

What Makes LSU School Psychology Special?

  • Fully accredited by the American Psychological Association's Commission on Accreditation (APA CoA; Education Directorate, Program Consultation & Accreditation; 750 First Street, NE; Washington, DC 20002; phone: 202-336-5979; fax: 202-336-5978; apaaccred@apa.org) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP; 4340 East West Highway, Suite 402; Bethesda, MD 20814)
  • Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Verified Course Sequence fulfills the coursework requirements for eligibility ABAI Verified Course Sequenceto take the Behavior Analysis Certification Board® examination
  • Among the top 3 School Psychology programs in the Nation based on research and publication activity
  • Faculty and students successfully obtain research and graduate training grants
  • Faculty and students are committed to disseminating research via publications in peer-reviewed journals
  • Diverse fieldwork experiences tailored to students’ areas of interest starting in the first semester
  • Faculty are committed to and have expertise in diversity, social justice, and educational equity (https://www.lsu.edu/hss/psychology/diversity/diversity.php)
  • Geographic location emphasizes importance of competency and training experiences with culturally and linguistically diverse populations
  • Faculty are committed to the safety, mental health, and well-being of graduate students
  • Student-faculty ratio approximately 6:1
  • Students are committed to supporting and working with peers to succeed within the field

Student Experiences at LSU

  • Students are typically funded (graduate stipend + tuition remission) through one of the following mechanisms
    • Externships at public, private, laboratory, and charter schools working with children, teachers, and parents
    • Externships at hospitals and clinics, including Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge General, and Gulf South Autism Center
    • Departmental teaching assistantships or graduate instructor positions
  • Can choose experiences in practica offered by any School Psychology faculty and several Clinical Psychology faculty
  •  Articles published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of School Psychology and the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Research presentations at regional and national conferences, including NASP and ABAI
  • Recipients of internal and external grants for research
  • Teaching opportunities for PSYC 2000-level courses

Student Outcomes (2009-Present)

  • 100% of students accepted to a paid, APA-accredited internship
  • 71% of students graduated in 5 years
  • Faculty positions at R1 universities
  • Applied and clinical positions at schools, hospitals, clinics (e.g., Marcus Autism Center), and state departments (e.g., Louisiana Department of Education)

Get to Know the Current Faculty and Current Student Teams

Long Cultural Responsiveness and Implementation Sciences in Psychology (CRISP) Lab

Donaldson ABA Lab

Dr. Gilroy

Dr. Clark

Dr. Choe

Dr. Morris

 

Our program adheres to the APA accreditation standards as well as training guidelines outlined by the National Association of School Psychologists and the Association for Behavior Analysis International. Therefore, our program prepares students for entry into the profession of psychology and applied behavior analysis. Given the varied and changing requirements across jurisdictions, we cannot assure, nor is it our responsibility, that graduates will meet all requirements for licensure in all states or territories. You are encouraged to become familiar with state licensing laws and discuss your curricular plan with your major professor and DCT.

Additional Information about Professional Licensures

Psychology licensure in the state of Louisiana

School psychology certification in the state of Louisiana

Licensure as a behavior analyst in the state of Louisiana

Psychology licensure in the United States and Canada

 

For more information about our School Psychology program, please contact Dr. Anna Long at along@lsu.edu

Resources

 

Commitment to Diversity

We encourage applications from individuals with diverse racial, ethnic, and/or cultural backgrounds. Baton Rouge is a racially diverse city and our work in the greater Baton Rouge community allows us to provide clinical services to and conduct research with racially diverse individuals in our community. We take great pride in this diversity. Furthermore, our program is deeply committed to fostering a learning environment that supports cultural and individual differences and diversity. Additionally, “Diversity is fundamental to LSU's mission and the University is committed to creating and maintaining a living and learning environment that embraces individual difference. Cultural inclusion is of highest priority” (see entire LSU Diversity Statement).