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Program Information

Please note that the information below was collected for the 2006-07 academic year. For the most current information, we encourage you to contact the program directly.

University: Northern Illinois University
Program's Mailing Address: Northern Illinois University, School Psychology Program
City:DeKalb
State:IL
Zip:60115
Phone: 815-753-0372
Fax: 815-753-8088
Website: http://www.niu.edu/psyc/grad_school/overview.shtml
Department in which program is housed: Psychology
College in which program is housed: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Program director: Michelle Demaray
E-mail: mkdemaray@niu.edu
Phone: 815-753-7077
Additional Program Director:

Degrees Offered, Program Approvals, and General Requirements

Master's Degree (36-45 hours)

Degree name: Masters of Arts in School Psychology
Total Graduate Credit Hours: 60
Comprehensive qualifying exams required: yes
Thesis required: no
Professional paper in lieu of thesis required: no
Professional project in lieu of thesis required: no
State Department of Education approved: yes
NCATE approved program:
Other approval/accreditation:
Other agency:

Specialist Level (60+ hours)

Degree name:
Total graduate credit hours:
Thesis required:
Professional paper in lieu of thesis required:
Professional project in lieu of thesis required:
NASP approved program: yes
State Department of Education approved: yes
NCATE approved: yes
Other approval/accreditation:
Other agency:

Doctoral Degree

Degree name: Ph.D in School Psychology
Total graduate credit hours: 90
Comprehensive quailfying exams required: yes
Thesis required: yes
Professional paper in lieu of thesis required: no
Professional project in lieu of thesis required: no
Dissertation required: yes
NASP approved program: no
State Department of Education approved: yes
NCATE approved: yes
APA accredited: no
Other approval/accreditation:
Other agency:

Respecialization Degree

Degree name:
Total graduate credit hours:
Comprehensive qualifying exams required:
Thesis required:
Professional paper in lieu of thesis required:
Professional project in lieu of thesis required:

Program(s) Philosophy

The School Psychology Program at Northern Illinois University offers a 60-hour Master’s certification program and a 90-hour Ph.D. program that provides comprehensive training in general psychology as well as specialized training in the applied areas of school psychology. The primary goal of the program is to train professional psychologists to work in schools, state agencies, clinical practice, and university settings. Coursework and practica experiences provide a synthesis of essential theoretical and applied approaches across developmental, cognitive, social, and behavioral areas. Graduates of the program are prepared to function in multiple practitioner roles including treatment, assessment, and consultative modalities, as well as teaching and research roles. The NIU program emphasizes a scientist-practitioner model in the training of future school psychologists. Students are trained to be informed and critical consumers of psychological research so that they maintain the highest professional standards of practice. Students receive extensive training in research methodology necessary to expand basic knowledge in the domains subsumed by the field of school psychology. The scientist role is emphasized through a combination of research-oriented course work, and through faculty mentoring and guidance. At the Ph.D. level, students complete a thesis and dissertation, each of which represents original research that makes a substantial contribution to the professional literature. The practitioner role is central to the functioning of most school psychologists. It is necessarily a diverse role, requiring skills in psychological and educational intervention, consultation, and assessment. The NIU School Psychology Program provides students with over 2,000 hours of applied experiences in these domains of functioning. This is done through clinical components of assessment courses, practicum experiences, and a 9 - 12 month internship.

Student Enrollment Data

Master's Level

Total number of students: 10
Number of full-time students: 10
Number of part-time students: 0
Number of students who applied for the 2006-2007 year: 75
Number of students accepted for the 2006-2007 year: 7

Specialist Level

Total number of students:
Number of full-time students:
Number of part-time students:
Number of students who applied for the 2006-2007 year:
Number of students accepted for the 2006-2007 year:

Doctoral Level

Total number of students: 13
Number of full-time students: 13
Number of part-time students: 0
Number of students who applied for the 2006-2007 year:
Number of students accepted for the 2006-2007 year:

Respecialization

Total number of students:
Number of full-time students:
Number of part-time students:
Number of students who applied for the 2006-2007 year: 0
Number of students accepted for the 2006-2007 year: 0

Student Characteristics

Master's Level

Total number of students: 0
Number of females in program: 10
Number of males in program: 0
Number of American Indian or Alaskan Natives in program: 0
Number of Asians in program: 0
Number of African Americans in program: 0
Number of Hispanics or Latinos in program: 0
Number of Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders in program: 0
Number of Whites in program: 10
Number of students with mixed ethnicities in program: 0
Number of international students in program: 0
Number of students with unknown ethnicities in program: 0

Specialist Level

Total number of students:
Number of female students in program:
Number of male students in program:
Number of American Indian or Alaskan Natives in program:
Number of Asians in program:
Number of African Americans in program:
Number of Latinos in program:
Number of Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders in program:
Number of Whites in program:
Number of students with mixed ethnicities in program:
Number of international students in program:
Number of students with unknown ethnicities in program:

Doctoral Level

Total number of students: 13
Number of female students in program: 10
Number of male students in program: 3
Number of American Indian or Alaskan Natives in program: 0
Number of Asians in program: 0
Number of African Americans in program: 0
Number of Latinos in program: 0
Number of Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders in program: 0
Number of Whites in program: 13
Number of students with mixed ethnicities in program: 0
Number of international students in program: 0
Number of students with unknown ethnicities in program: 0

Respecialization

Total number of students in program: 0
Number of female students in program: 0
Number of male students in program: 0
Number of American Indians or Alaskan Natives in program: 0
Number of Asians in program: 0
Number of African Americans in program: 0
Number of Latinos in program: 0
Number of Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders in program: 0
Number of Whites in program: 0
Number of students with mixed ethnicities in program: 0
Number of international students in program: 0
Number of students with unknown ethnicities in program: 0

Admission Deadlines

Master's Level

Fall admissions? na
If yes, deadline for admissions: Feb. 1
Spring admissions? no
If yes, deadline for admissions:
Summer admissions: no
If yes, deadline for admissions:
Application fee: $30.00

Specialist Level

Fall admissions? na
If yes, deadline for admissions:
Spring admissions? na
If yes, deadline for admissions:
Summer admissions? na
If yes, deadline for admissions:
Application fee:

Doctoral Level

Fall admissions? yes
If yes, deadline for admissions: Feb. 1
Spring admissions? no
If yes, deadline for admissions:
Summer admissions? no
If yes, deadline for admissions:
Application fee: $30.00

Respecialization

Fall admissions? no
If yes, deadline for admissions:
Spring admissions? no
If yes, deadline for admissions:
Summer admissions? no
If yes, deadline for admissions:
Application fee:

Whom to contact to apply?
Application address (if different from program's mailing address): Graduate School, Northern Illinois University
Application city: DeKalb
Application state: IL
Application zip/postal code: 60115

Admission Requirements

Master's Level

Require a written goals statement? na
Require letters of recommendation? yes
Require personal or phone interview? yes
Require minimum overall undergraduate GPA on 4.0 scale? yes
If yes, minimum overall GPA: 3.0
Require minimum GPA for undergraduate major? no
If yes, minimum GPA for major:
Require specific undergraduate major? no
If yes, specific major required:
Require minimum number of undergrad psychology prerequisites? no

Specialist Level

Require a written goals statement? na
Require letters of recommendation? yes
Require personal or phone interview? na
Require minimum overall undergraduate GPA on 4.0 scale? na
If yes, minimum overall GPA:
Require minimum GPA for undergraduate major: na
If yes, minimum GPA for major:
Require specific undergraduate major? na
If yes, specific major required:
Require minimum number of undergraduate psychology prerequisites? na

Doctoral Level

Require a written goals statement? yes
Require letters of recommendation? yes
Require personal or phone interview? yes
Require minimum overall undergraduate GPA on 4.0 scale? yes
If yes, minimum overall GPA: 3.0
Require minimum GPA for undergraduate major? no
If yes, minimum GPA for major:
Require specific undergraduate major? no
If yes, specific major required:
Require minimum number of undergraduate psychology prerequisites? no

Respecialization

Require a written goals statement?
Require letters of recommendation?
Require personal or phone interview?
Require minimum overall undergraduate GPA on 4.0 scale?
If yes, minimum overall GPA:
Require minimum GPA for undergraduate major? no
If yes, minimum GPA for major:
Require specific undergraduate major?
If yes, specific major required:
Require minimum number of undergraduate psychology prerequisites?

Entrance Tests for Program Admission

Master's Level

GRE Verbal
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Quantitative
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Analytic
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Verbal + Quantitative
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Advanced Area
Advanced area:
Minimum:
Preferred
Average:
Miller's Analogy Test
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:

Specialist Level

GRE Verbal
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average: 541
GRE Quantitative
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average: 626
GRE Analytic
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average: NA
GRE Verbal + Quantitative
Minimum: 1100
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Advanced Area
Advanced area:
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
Miller's Analogy Test
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:

Doctoral Level

GRE Verbal
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Quantitative
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Analytic
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Verbal + Quantitative
Minimum: 1100
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Advanced Area
Advanced area:
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
Miller's Analogy Test
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:

Respecialization

GRE Verbal
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Quantitative
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Analytic
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Verbal + Quantitative
Minimum
Preferred:
Average:
GRE Advanced Area
Advanced area:
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:
Miller's Analogy Test
Minimum:
Preferred:
Average:

Tuition and Fees

Master's Level

State Residents
Per credit hour tuition: 178.16
Total full-time tuition per semester (based on 12 credit hours): 2922.56
Non-State Residents
Per credit hour tuition: 356.32
Total full-time tuition per semester (based on 12 credit hours): 5061.40

Specialist Level

State Residents
Per credit hour tuition:
Total full-time tuition per semester (based on 12 credit hours):
Non-State Residents
Per credit hour tuition:
Total full-time tuition per semester (based on 12 credit hours):

Doctoral Level

State Residents
Per credit hour tuition: 178.16
Total full-time tuition per semester (based on 12 credit hours): 2922.56
Non-State Residents
Per credit hour tuition: 356.32
Total full-time tuition per semester (based on 12 credit hours): 5061.40

Respecialization

State Residents
Per credit hour tuition:
Total full-time tuition per semester (based on 12 credit hours):
Non-State Residents
Per credit hour tuition:
Total full-time tuition per semester (based on 12 credit hours):

Financial Assistance

Master's Level

Total percentage of students receiving aid for current year: 100
Is there any financial assistance directed toward minority recruitment? yes
Out-of-state students receive in-state tuition? full
Tuition waiver included: full
Teaching Assistantships
Percentage of students receiving: 49
Annual full-time amount: 1392.52
Average number of hours per week: 20
Research Assistantships
Percentage of students receiving: 49
Annual full-time amount: 1392.52
Average number of hours per week: 20
Traineeships/Training Grants From Foundations or Governments
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:
Other Assistantships and Grants
Percentage of students receiving: 1
Annual full-time amount: 1392.52
Average number of hours per week: 20
Fellowships and Scholarships
Percentage of students receiving: 1
Annual full-time amount: 1392.52
Average number of hours per week: 20

Specialist Level

Total percentage of students receiving aid for current year:
Is there any financial assistance directed toward minority recruitment? no
Out-of-state students receive in-state tuition? no
Tuition waiver included: no
Teaching Assistantships
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:
Research Assistantships
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:
Traineeships/Training Grants From Foundations or Governments
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:
Other Assistantships and Grants
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:
Fellowships and Scholarships
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:

Doctoral Level

Total percentage of students receiving aid for current year: 100
Is there any financial assistance directed toward minority recruitment? yes
Out-of-state students receive in-state tuition? full
Tuition waiver included: full
Teaching Assistantships
Percentage of students receiving: 49
Annual full-time amount: 1392.52
Average number of hours per week: 20
Research Assistantships
Percentage of students receiving: 49
Annual full-time amount: 1392.52
Average number of hours per week: 20
Traineeships/Training Grants From Foundations or Governments
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:
Other Assistantships and Grants
Percentage of students receiving: 1
Annual full-time amount: 1392.52
Average number of hours per week: 20
Fellowships and Scholarships
Percentage of students receiving: 1
Annual full-time amount: 1392.52
Average number of hours per week: 20

Respecialization

Total percentage of students receiving aid for current year:
Is there any financial assistance directed toward minority recruitment?
Out-of-state students receive in-state tuition?
Tuition waiver included:
Teaching Assistantships
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:
Research Assistantships
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:
Traineeships/Training Grants From Foundations or Governments
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:
Other Assistantships and Grants
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:
Fellowships and Scholarships
Percentage of students receiving:
Annual full-time amount:
Average number of hours per week:

Other Support

Field-Based Experiences

Master's Level

Total practicum hours: 600
Total minimum in-school practicum hours:
Total minimum internship hours: 1200
Total minimum in-school internship hours:
Percentage of paid internships:
Minimum internship salary:
Average internship salary for current interns:

Specialist Level

Total practicum hours:
Total minimum in-school practicum hours:
Total minimum internship hours:
Total minimum in-school internship hours:
Percentage of paid internships:
Minimum internship salary:
Average internship salary for current interns:

Doctoral Level

Total practicum hours: 950
Total minimum in-school practicum hours:
Total minimum internship hours: 1500
Total minimum in-school internship hours:
Percentage of paid internships:


Minimum internship salary:
Average internship salary for current interns:



Respecialization

Total practicum hours:
Total minimum in-school practicum hours:
Total minimum internship hours:
Total minimum in-school internship hours:
Percentage of paid internships:
Minimum internship salary:
Average internship salary for current interns:

Competency-Based Exam Scores

Note: These are based on the prior year's graduates.

Master's Level

Total number of students who graduated during the prior year: 7
Average total Praxis II score for those students who graduated during the designated time period: 91
How many graduates applied for the NCSP within one year after graduation?
What percentage of the applicants above attained the NCSP?

Specialist Level

Total number of students who graduated during the prior year:
Average total Praxis II score for those students who graduated during the designated time period:
How many graduates applied for the NCSP within one year after graduation?
What percentage of the applicants above attained the NCSP?

Doctoral Level

Total number of students who graduated during the prior year: 0
Average total Praxis II score for those students who graduated during the designated time period:
How many graduates applied for the NCSP within one year after graduation?
What percentage of the applicants above attained the NCSP?