Pediatric School Psychology

PhD Concentration in Health Psychology

APA-accredited as a school psychology doctoral program

Graduates understand K-12 education, child development, & school systems to support learning, behavior, & mental health. They apply biopsychosocial & tiered intervention frameworks for behavioral health across settings and learn research & clinical skills using data-driven decisions & evidence-based practices.

At a Glance

Semester Credit Hours?

Pediatric School Psychology consists of 102 semester hours.

How long will it take?

5 years full-time study from Bachelors. Student entering with a Masters in psychology or related field may qualify for transfer credits (min. 3 years full-time study)

When can I start?

You can begin the program only in the Fall semester.

Program delivery mode?

We are an on-campus, face-to-face training program. Unable to accommodate distance-education learners at this time.

Curriculum

See ECU Graduate Catalog for official degree requirements for Health Psychology PhD, Pediatric School concentration.

Program of Study

Area of Study	Course Requirements
Professional Standards & Ethics	1 course
Foundations of Psychology	8 courses
Research Methods & Design	3 courses + Thesis & Dissertation
Pediatric School Psych Core	3 courses
Interventions	3 courses
Assessment	3 courses
Practicum	8 courses (or min. 21 semester hrs.)
Internship	2 courses

More about Practicum & Internship

By the Numbers

100%

Doctoral students funded with tuition remissions & graduate assistantships

89%

State Board Licensure Percentage* (2014-2024)

*Remaining grads hold School Licensure/Certification or teach in university settings.

100%

Students who obtained paid internships *89% APA-accredited

Student Admissions, Outcomes, & Other Data (PDF)

Where our Pediatric School Psychology Grads are Working (2024)

Graduates of Pediatric School Psychology work within various settings that serve children/adolescents and their families, including public schools, developmental centers, medical settings, universities, & private practices.

Pie chart of graduates' places of work: 48 percent medical center or hospital, 33 percent private practice, 10 percent K-12 schools, and 9 percent college or university

ECU Health Psychology PhD, Pediatric School concentration, meets educational requirements for licensure in different U.S. states

Consumer Information Disclosures (PDF)

What Our Graduates Say

Christine Gonzales

PhD awarded Dec 2023

“When comparing my training to that of my internship cohort, it’s easy to see the advantages of having attended a program with such diverse faculty and broad training experiences.”

Ana LePage

PhD awarded July 2021

“Training in a variety of settings (e.g., school, inpatient psychiatric, integrated primary care) provided me with rich experiences that prepared me well for internship. The unique school and health focus has been invaluable.”

Kelli Long

PhD awarded July 2023

“The unique combination of training in school psychology and health psychology at ECU provided me with a strong understanding of how I can support children and families at the intersection between their medical and educational needs.”

Accreditation

Pediatric School Psychology doctoral concentration at ECU is accredited by the American Psychological Association as a school psychology program. Our next review is due in 2034. For more information on APA accreditation visit the APA Accreditation website or contact the APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 | PH: 202-336-5979 | apaaccred@apa.org