The typical applicant pool for the school psychology program consists of approximately 50 students. From this pool, a total of 10-15 students are accepted into the doctoral and specialist programs each year. Admissions decisions are based on each student's prior grades, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, personal statement, research experiences, professional experiences, and match to our program philosophy. Students from diverse cultural and experiential backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. For both the doctoral and educational specialist programs, an interview is required. On-campus interviews are preferred, although telephone interviews are arranged when circumstances prevent a visit to campus by the applicant. Many of our successful applicants to the doctoral program possess either a Masters or Educational Specialist Degree, although this is not a requirement for admission.
Whenever possible, we encourage students to attend our program on a full-time basis since that facilitates a more concentrated training experience than is not possible under part-time conditions. While there are usually a number of part-time students in the program as well, all students must meet university residency requirements and be available at some points during their training for both course work and practice that are offered exclusively during normal working hours. Likewise, while summer study is possible throughout the program, much of the required course work is available only during the fall and spring semesters.
The School Psychology Program is extremely interested in recruiting qualified American ethnic minority and international students. The program currently includes 25 PhD students and 25 EdS students. Nine (18%) of these students are individuals of color. As of this date,
there are far too few psychologists of color in the field of school psychology. Interested minority students are encouraged to take advantage of the option to have their application materials reviewed by the department's Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee by indicating their assent for this review at the appropriate point on the department's application form.
The attrition rate of students entering the program is less than 5 percent. Given that we set high standards for admission, attrition is usually due to a student's change of career goals or to other personal reasons rather than academic or professional failures.
A variety of financial supports are available to students on a competitive basis, including: (a) university fellowships (e.g., Regents Tuition Fellowship - Non-Resident Tuition Fellowship - Chancellor's Doctoral Fellowship, (b) graduate teaching assistantships, (c) school psychology graduate assistantships, (d) university fellowships and departmental assistantships for minorities, and (e) miscellaneous program and departmental research assistantships. Most of these include a stipend and/or tuition remission. Your advisor will be the best source of information on these matters once you arrive at UNL. For those applying to the program who wish to be considered for financial aid, be certain to contact the Graduate College to determine what financial assistance might be available and to complete the department's financial aid form.
