Student Admissions, Outcomes & Other Data

Ph.D. in School Psychology

Admissions Data

We would like to tell you about our admission process and the characteristics of our entering classes. Each year we interview approximately 15 students among the estimate of 30 who typically apply. We admit four new students each academic year. To give potential applicants realistic information about their chances of acceptance, here is some information on our applicants and accepted students over the past seven years.

*One student received GRE scores using the new scale, which were converted using the official ETS conversion table. The scores were listed with two conversion numbers, so the mean of the scores was included in these calculations.

The Loyola School Psychology Doctoral program does not base admission decisions solely on the GRE. The admissions committee considers other qualifications and experiences. For instance, in addition to GREs and GPAs, our Admissions Committee looks closely at applicants' personal statements, letters of recommendations, and their research and clinical experiences. We take particular note of research experiences and alignment of one’s backgrounds and goals with our social justice mission and data-based decision-making orientation. Finally, we conduct personal interviews with applicants to determine if there is a good match between the applicant and what our program can offer. In other words, we seek to know whether the applicant's personal and professional interests will be well served by our curriculum, and whether there is a “goodness of fit” with the applicant’s interests and skills and the program’s goals, objectives and outcomes.

Time to Completion

*Calculations based on students who completed the Ph.D. program

Program Costs

For the current incoming class, all 4 students have stipends of at least $12,000 and a tuition scholarship, which covers 21 credits per academic year.  Students are required to pay a student activities fee of $147, a technology fee of $110, a course management fee of $110, a matriculation fee of $100 and a public transportation fee (UPASS) of $103.  Health insurance is available through the university at the rate of $1,740 and is covered by assistantships in some cases. Spouses and children can be covered for an additional fee.  Students are also required to purchase books and materials for courses.

For the current first year cohort, tuition rates are $905 per credit hour and students are required to take 39 credits, which includes three courses (9 credits) taken in the summer following year 1. The total tuition for year 1, inclusive of the summer, is $35,295. Prior to enrolling in the program, there are two required undergraduate prerequisites, two three-credit courses are required; one in statistics/measurement and a second one in exceptional children. Each course must appear on the undergraduate transcript with a grade of “B” or better to be accepted. If the courses are not transferred from previous academic work, they can be taken at a community college, online or at Loyola University Chicago, where current undergraduate tuition is $675 per credit hour.

Internship Placement Data

Our students have been very successful in securing highly regarded internships. Specific information is provided in the table below.

Codes:
APA - American Psychological Association
CPS - Canadian Psychological Association
APPIC - Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers
CDSPP - Council of Directors of School Psychology Programs

Doctoral Internship Placements

Doctoral students have completed internships in a variety of settings over the past seven years. A listing of previous internship sites is listed below.

• Deerfield High School (Deerfield, IL)
• Chicago Public Schools (Chicago, IL)
• Hartgrove Hospital (Chicago, IL)
• Westbrook Therapeutic Day School - currently renamed Timber Ridge Therapeutic Day School (Arlington Heights, IL)
• Palatine High School (Palatine, IL)
• Washburne Middle School (Winnetka, IL)
• Park Ridge/Niles Elementary Schools (Park Ridge, IL)
• Glenbrook South High School (Glenview, IL
• Maine East High School (Park Ridge, IL)
• Highland Park High School (Highland Park, IL)
• Community Consolidated School District 15 (Palatine, IL)
• Evanston School District 65 (Evanston, IL)
• Lansing School District (Lansing, IL)
• Rolling Meadows High School (Rolling Meadows, IL)
• Oak Park School System (Oak Park, IL)
• District 73.5 (Skokie, IL)
• Des Plaines District 62 (Des Plaines, IL)
• Flossmoor School District 161 (Homewood/Flossmoor, IL)
• Niles Central High School (Skokie, IL)
• Heartland Area Education Agency 13 (Johnston, IA)
• Louisiana School Psychology Internship Consortium (LASPIC) (New Orleans, LA)
• Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles, CA)

Attrition

The American Psychological Association (APA) requires that doctoral programs provide data on the number of and percentage of doctoral students who graduate with the doctorate, who are still enrolled in the program, and who have left the program for any reason other than graduation. These data are provided in the table below.

*One student took leave of absence beginning in Fall 2009 and re-entered in Fall 2010

With regard to student attrition from the doctoral program, 4 students (80%) decided to switch their programs from the doctoral to the educational specialist program (Ed.S.) at Loyola University Chicago and 1 student (20%) left due to program fit.

Doctoral Licensure and Certification

The American Psychological Association (APA) requires that doctoral programs report the licensure rates of graduates who have obtained licensure for independent practice as psychologists. Of the 60 students who graduated from the program in the years spanning 2002-2010, 8% have achieved licensure for independent practice (n=5). 100% of the graduates of our program during the same 8-year period have obtained the credential to practice as school psychologists. These data are consistent with the program’s goals and objectives pertaining to professional identity development as socially justice school psychologists and practice in under-served school settings.

Employment Outcomes

In an alumni survey, 26 responded to the employment questions. Of these, 23 (88.5%) indicated that they are employed by a school district/system, 1 (3.8%) holds an academic teaching position, 1 (3.8%) is employed at a 4-year college, 3 (11.5%) are employed as adjunct professors, 3 (11.5%) are practicing independently, and 3 (11.5%) work in “other” roles such as a consultant.

Other Information

Although we cannot accept all qualified applicants, we encourage all interested students to apply. We hope this information has been helpful in giving you important information about our students’ backgrounds and their accomplishments. For more detailed information about our program requirements, please visit our website, particularly our current 2012 program handbook, which is located under “program resources".