Frequently Asked Questions

What do school psychologists do?

School psychologists are the mental health professionals in schools.  They consult with teachers, administrators and parents about children who are having academic or behavioral problems, set up behavioral or academic interventions, and conduct psychological assessments.  School psychologists are members of the school's multidisciplinary team where they work with other professionals to solve problems.  For more information about school psychology visit the website of the National Association of School Psychologists.

How long is the program?

Our school psychology program is a 3-year, 61 credit hour specialist degree program that is approved by the State of Michigan.  All students are full-time and move through the classes as a cohort.

Is your program NASP-approved?

The program has never applied for NASP approval; however, we are currently collecting data that will enable us to apply for NASP approval within the next 2 years.  When a program becomes NASP approved, the approval status is retroactive to all student who graduated from the program in its approved format.

How many students do you admit?

We generally admit a cohort of 10-12 students each year.  The students follow the same class schedule and move through the program as a group.  We do not admit a large group, expecting half to wash out; we keep our teacher-student ratio within NASP standards and admit only those students who have the highest likelihood of success.  Then we commit to making them successful.  Faculty members monitor students very closely and work with them individually.

 How large are your classes?

Almost all classes are composed only of the school psychology student cohort-about 10-12 maximum.

What are your students like?

UDM school psychology students are diverse in terms of background and age, but have outstanding academic credentials and a demonstrated commitment to excellence in learning.  Our students exemplify the moral character essential for the profession.  Above all, they are passionate child advocates.  They are also fun-loving, friendly, tolerant and supportive of their peers.  Most have undergraduate degrees in psychology; some come straight from college, and others have worked in various professions prior to enrolling.

Does the UDM program lead to the Michigan LLP?

The Program does NOT support the LLP (Limited License Psychologist), obtained via the State of Michigan Board of Psychology.  Students  interested in this license may independently seek the additional coursework and supervision upon completion of the UDM school psychology program.  It is the position of the Program Faculty that structuring school field experiences to also meet the purposes of clinical training is often at the expense of quality school training, and can only be detrimental to the fundamental purpose of the program.

Where could I get more information on your school psychology program?

To learn about the School Psychology Program at the University of Detroit Mercy, you can send an email to Dr. Sharla Fasko at sfasko@udmercy.edu.

Visit Dr. Fasko's website at  www.schoolpsyched.com