School Psychology Program Information

The information provided was largely obtained from school psychology program directors. The data contained within are provided as a service to the school psychology community as well as those with an expressed interest in the field, including potential program applicants. We cannot and do not guarantee the currency or accuracy of the information. Individuals interested in these data are encouraged to confirm the information by contacting individual graduate programs as needed.

A combined list of NASP-approved programs and NASP-accredited programs is also available.

University of Arizona

Updated: 03/30/2024

1430 E. 2nd Street
College of Education, Room 412
Tucson, AZ 85721

Program Director: Desiree Vega

E-mail: dvega2@email.arizona.edu

Program Website: https://www.coe.arizona.edu/dps/school-psychology

* The program offers a Ph.D. degree in Tucson, Arizona, and an Ed.S. degree at two locations, Tucson and Chandler, Arizona.

Programs Offered and Program Approvals
  • Doctoral level, NASP Approved/Accredited (full), APA-Accredited
    Approved by the State Department of Education
    Graduation Credit Hours: 100
    Not Accessible to Working Professionals
    Does not offer at least 50% of instruction via distance education
  • Specialist level, NASP Approved/Accredited (full)
    Approved by the State Department of Education
    Graduation Credit Hours: 67
    Accessible to Working Professionals
    Does not offer at least 50% of instruction via distance education
Financial Support
SpecialistDoctoral

Assistantship/Traineeship

  
Do students in your program have access to an assistantship/traineeship?YesYes
Total number of students receiving an assistantship/traineeship812
Minimum hours per semester150.0150.0
Minimum tuition waiver (%)50%50%

Hourly Work

  
Do students in your program have access to hourly work?YesYes
Total number of students receiving hourly work00

Internship

  
Number of interns who received stipends145
Number of interns who received stipends$41014$37307

Additional Information

  
Website
https://grad.arizona.edu/funding/opportunitieshttps://grad.arizona.edu/funding/opportunities
Student Enrollment Data

2023 / 2024

SpecialistDoctoral
Total Enrollment (including interns)6821
# of First Year Students254
# of Male Students63
# of Minority Students*2712
# of interns during the academic year144
# of accepted students for 2023 / 20243010
# of applicants for 2023 / 20248741
* Note: Minority students are defined as those from ethnic/racial minorities historically underrepresented in United States colleges and universities.
Faculty
NameEmailFTEMinority
Tamara Lawsonlawsont@arizona.edu100 %
Lauren Meyerlaurennmeyer@email.arizona.edu100 %
Michele Stathatos mstathat@email.arizona.edu100 %
Lindsay Balleslballes@arizona.edu50 %
Desiree Vegadvega2@email.arizona.edu100 %
Jina Yoonjinayoon@email.arizona.edu100 %
Jennifer Kirkpatrickkirkpatrick@email.arizona.edu100 %
Marsha Spencer marshaspencer@email.arizona.edu80 %
Michelle Perfectmperfect@arizona.edu100 %
Alaina Puffalainapuff@arizona.edu100 %
Note: Minority faculty are defined as those from ethnic/racial minorities historically underrepresented in United States colleges and universities.
Unfilled faculty positions from the previous academic year?No
Anticipate opening a search for a new faculty member in the upcoming academic year?No
PRAXIS
No data from program has been submitted.
Respecialization

Specialist

Formal Option for Respecialization?
No
Evaluation through standard Admissions?
Yes
Minimum Graduate Credit Hours for Respecialization
67
Description of Respecialization Process
Students are admitted via regular application process.
Culminating Documentation
EdS degree and recommendation for school psychology credential
Special Notes
Minimum credit hours varies by student’s prior coursework and experience

Doctoral

Formal Option for Respecialization?
No
Evaluation through standard Admissions?
Yes
Minimum Graduate Credit Hours for Respecialization
100
Description of Respecialization Process
Students are admitted via regular application process.
Culminating Documentation
PhD degree and recommendation for school psychology credential.
Special Notes
Minimum credit hours varies by student’s prior coursework and experience
Internship Settings

2023 / 2024

SpecialistDoctoral
Total Number of Interns144
Total completing internship entirely in school settings141
Total completing internships partly in school settings3
Total completing internships entirely outside school settings0
Total APA Accredited Internships3
Total APPIC listed meeting CDSPP Internship Guidelines (not APA)1
Total APPIC listed not meeting CDSPP Internship Guidelines0
Total meeting CDSPP Internship Guidelines not APPIC listed0
Total not APPIC listed and not meeting CDSPP Internship Guidelines0
1. The 2010 NASP Standards for Graduate Preparation of School Psychologists defines a school setting as “…one in which the primary goal is the education of students of diverse backgrounds, characteristics, abilities, disabilities, and needs. Generally, a school setting includes students who are enrolled in Grades pre-K–12 and has both general education and special education services. The school setting has available an internal or external pupil services unit that includes at least one state-credentialed school psychologist and provides a full range of school psychology services.”
Multicultural Settings
Program offers a bilingual specialization (i.e. students graduate beign eligible for a bilingual school psychologist certification or designation).No
Program or department provides the following graduate preparation activities related to multicultural responsiveness.
  • A specific required course on multicultural responsiveness
  • Inclusion across some (not all) required courses
  • Extracurricular Events (e.g., Town Halls, Institute Days)
  • Research Opportunities (e.g., Faculty-led PAR, CBPR)
Program or department provides the following graduate preparation activities related to social justice that align with the NASP definition and extends beyond cultural awareness into action.
  • A specific required course on social justice
  • Inclusion across some (not all) required courses
  • Extracurricular Events (e.g., Town Halls, Institute Days)
  • Research Opportunities
Student Outcome Data

2021 / 2022

SpecialistDoctoral
# of students completing program (including internship)177
Mean # of years to complete the program3.24.7
Median # of years to complete the program34
# of students who transferred to a School Psych Doctoral Program1
# of students that left the program prior to graduation10
# of graduates employed by schools172
# employed in settings other than schools05
# employed in a faculty position00
# entering other fields00
# continuing formal education00
# not employed or continuing education00