College Psychology Programs
College Psychology Programs
The mission of the College of Education is to prepare exemplary professional practitioners and scholars; to generate, use, and disseminate knowledge about teaching, learning, and human development; and to collaborate with others to solve critical educational and human problems in a diverse global community. School Psychology Program Mission
The mission of the University of Florida School Psychology Program (SPP) is to prepare students for the profession of school psychology as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The primary goal of the SPP is to prepare practitioners and scholars whose activities promote the psychological and educational development and well-being of diverse children and youth. The SPP is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) at the Ph.D. level and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) at both the M.A./Ed.S. and Ph.D. levels. The SPP is also approved by the Florida Department of Education (DOE). All graduates of the SPP are eligible for provisional certification by the DOE as school psychologists in Florida.
The SPP values diversity in the backgrounds and theoretical orientations of our students and faculty. The SPP is grounded in a scientist-practitioner model of professional preparation. As developing scientists, students receive a solid foundation of accumulated knowledge in core areas of psychology and education. In addition, SPP students develop the skills necessary to effectively utilize this evolving body of knowledge through learning how to identify problems in the field, conduct and evaluate basic and applied research. As practitioners, school psychologists typically work within educational and clinical settings. Practitioners develop competencies in using a wide variety of assessment techniques, consulting with families and school/clinic professionals, designing direct interventions tailored to individual children experiencing problems, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.
The SPP prepares students for the profession of school psychology through a coordinated sequence of coursework and instructional experiences; opportunities to generate new knowledge through research and scholarship; practical experience in applied settings in the context of practice and internships; and personal and professional development through interacting closely with professors, other SPP students, practitioners, and former program graduates.