PSYCHOLOGY - SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY (SPY)
Course Descriptions

SPY 700 Cr. 3
School Psychology: Role and Function

This course covers the roles and functions of school psychologists. Students will learn the history and foundations of their profession; various service models and methods; public policy development applicable to services to children and families; and ethical, professional, and legal standards. Students will also learn the skills needed to work with individuals of diverse characteristics. Prerequisite: admission to the School Psychology Program. Offered Fall.

SPY 752 Cr. 3
Academic and Behavioral Interventions

Students will learn methods of systematic data collection and how to translate assessment results into empirically-based interventions. Students will also learn how to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of appropriate cognitive, behavioral, and academic interventions for children with different abilities and needs. Prerequisite: SPY 700. Offered Spring.

SPY 757 Cr. 3
Psychoeducational Assessment I

After a review of the history of psychological assessment, students will be introduced to theories of intelligence. After learning general assessment and testing practices, students will develop specific competencies in the administration and interpretation of current major individual intellectual, cognitive and achievement measures. The course also includes an introduction to test scoring and report writing software. Lect. 2, Lab. 4. Prerequisite: PSY 451/551 or concurrent enrollment in PSY 551; admission to School Psychology Program. Offered Fall.

SPY 758 Cr. 3
Psychoeducational Assessment II

This course further develops student skills in psychoeducational assessment. Besides learning additional intellectual and cognitive measures, students will apply advanced interpretation skills to professional report writing. Students will learn varied models and methods of assessment that yield information useful in identifying strengths and needs, in understanding problems, in designing empirically-based interventions, and in measuring outcomes. Overall, students will acquire data-based decision-making skills. Lect. 2, Lab. 4. Prerequisite: SPY 757. Offered Spring. 

SPY 762 Cr. 3
Supervised Practicum in School Psychology I

This is a 200-hour, supervised field experience in the application of school psychology professional skills in a school setting. The applied skills include: data-based decision-making; assessing behavioral, intellectual, cognitive, and academic functioning; and designing and implementing cognitive, academic, and behavioral interventions. Prerequisites: SPY 757; acceptance into the School Psychology Program. Offered Spring.

SPY 763 Cr. 3
Supervised Practicum in School Psychology II

This is a 250-hour, supervised field experience in the application of school psychology professional skills in a school setting. The applied skills include data-based decision-making, psychoeducational assessment, counseling, and consultation. Prerequisite: SPY 762. Offered Fall.

SPY 764 Cr. 3
Supervised Practicum in School Psychology III

This is a 250-hour, supervised field experience in the application of school psychology professional skills in a school setting. The applied skills include: data-based decision-making; assessing behavioral, intellectual, cognitive, and academic functioning; and in collaboration with others, designing and implementing cognitive, academic, adaptive, social, and behavioral interventions for students of varying abilities, disabilities, strengths, and needs. Prerequisite: SPY 763. Offered Spring.

SPY 775 Cr. 3
Behavioral Assessment and Management

Students will learn functional behavioral assessment, behavior management techniques, and how to design effective behavioral interventions. Specific topics include interviewing, systematic data collection, and measuring progress and outcomes. Offered Fall.

SPY 792 Cr. 2-4
Advanced Graduate Research

An individual research project that is supervised by a member of the psychology department. A written paper will be presented to the faculty and will be of a quality for publication and/or a professional presentation. Prerequisite: master’s degree and PSY 520. Repeatable for credit — maximum 4.

SPY 795 Cr. 1-2
Directed Studies

Directed readings or presentation of material not available in formal departmental courses. Repeatable for credit — maximum 4.

SPY 796 Cr. 1-3
Professional Topics and Practices in School Psychology

Contemporary topics emphasizing current research, developments and issues in school psychology. Repeatable for credit. Length of course is arranged.    

SPY 797 Cr. 3
Internship in School Psychology

An intense and diverse professional experience in school psychology for a minimum of 600 hours for 3 credits under the supervision of an experienced school psychologist and a university supervisor and within training guidelines defined by the training program. Activities include assessment, interventions, consulting, counseling, pupil services, and applied projects. Prerequisite: Completion of all other School Psychology course work except for SPY 801; a passing score on the national School Psychology examination or UW-La Crosse comprehensive examinations. Repeatable for credit — maximum 6.

SPY 800 Cr. 1-3
Specialist Thesis Proposal

This course is designed to help students complete a thesis proposal and the initial stages of writing a thesis. Topics include resource utilization, ethical issues, protection of human subjects, proposal development, research design, data analysis, scientific writing, and APA-style writing. Prerequisite: SPY 700 and/or concurrent PSY 725. Repeatable for credit — maximum 6. Pass/Fail grading. Length of course is arranged.

SPY 801 Cr. 1-6
Specialist Thesis

Students complete an independent research project and thesis under the direction of three graduate faculty members. Topics must be in an area related to school psychology and be approved by the student’s thesis committee. Prerequisite: SPY 800 and consent of instructor. Students must register for at least one credit of SPY 801 each semester, beginning the first semester of their third year and continuing until thesis is approved. A minimum of six thesis credits is required. A maximum of six credits applicable to degree. Repeatable for credit — maximum 10.