Department of Psychology at Illinois State University

Important Deadlines

Doctoral trainees are responsible for reviewing and following the current Doctoral Policies and Procedures and the Field Placement Handbook. See the Doctoral Programs Forms and Handbook website to download the forms identified in the Doctoral Policies and Procedures and the Field Placement Handbook. The yearly designations are offered as a suggested guide; specific dates are required deadlines.

First Year

  • Before the start of the fall semester, complete a physical examination and a criminal background check that my require fingerprinting; submit the results to the program coordinator
  • By September 15, complete and submit the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Certification form to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By September 15, complete and submit the Professional Practice Insurance Coverage and the Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification forms to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By October 31, complete the Illinois Ethics Online Training (mandatory for graduate assistants)
  • By January 31, complete and submit the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Certification form to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By January 31, complete and submit the Professional Practice Insurance Coverage and the Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification forms to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By April 1, complete and submit the Academic Professional Development Information form and the Apprentice/Thesis/Dissertation Progress Report with supporting documentation (vita, practicum logs, transcript) to the Graduate Programs Office
  • Select an apprenticeship project or the master's thesis option and work actively on it
  • By August 15 complete the Illinois State Board of Education's Test of Academic Proficiency

Second Year

  • By September 15, complete and submit the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Certification form to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By September 15, complete and submit the Professional Practice Insurance Coverage and the Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification forms to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By October 15 or sooner, inform the School Psychology Coordinating Committee of your decision to complete a mater's degree
  • By October 31, complete the Illinois Ethics Online Training (mandatory for graduate assistants)
  • By January 31, complete and submit the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Certification form to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By January 31, complete and submit the Professional Practice Insurance Coverage and the Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification forms to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By February 15 or sooner, obtain approval of your master's thesis proposal from your Thesis Committee
  • By April 1, complete and submit the Academic Professional Development Information form and the Apprentice/Thesis/Dissertation Progress Report with supporting documentation (vita, practicum logs, transcript) to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By April 15, complete and submit the Doctoral Degree Audit Worksheet to your program advisor

Third Year

  • By August 15, complete the Illinois State Board of Education's School Psychology Content Area Test
  • By September 15, complete and submit the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Certification form to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By September 15, complete and submit the Practice Insurance Coverage and the Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification forms to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By October 31, complete the Illinois Ethics Online Training (mandatory for graduate assistants)
  • By January 15, complete and submit the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Certification form to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By January 31, complete and submit the Professional Practice Insurance Coverage and the Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification forms to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By April 1, complete and submit the Academic Professional Development Information form and the Apprentice/Thesis/Dissertation Progress Report with supporting documentation (vita, practicum logs, transcript) to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By May 1, register for the comprehensive examination
  • By August 15, complete your apprenticeship project or master's thesis

When an advanced practicum site, and university and field supervisors have been determined, trainees and supervisors should complete the PSY 590 Advanced Practicum Contract. Trainees should submit the signed contract to the program coordinator in order to receive an override to enroll in the PSY 590 course. The Advanced Practicum Contract must be approved by the program coordinator before trainees are able to enroll in the PSY 490 course and begin working at the practicum site.

Fourth Year

  • During the first week of fall classes, take the comprehensive examination; trainees who do not pass must retake the examination in the spring semester
  • By September 1, register for the APPIC match process or request a waiver from the School Psychology Coordinating Committee (see APPIC Policies and Procedures)
  • By September 15, complete and submit the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Certification form to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By September 15, complete and submit the Professional Practice Insurance Coverage and the Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification forms to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By October 31 or sooner, obtain approval of your dissertation proposal from your Dissertation Committee in order to receive approval to seek a doctoral internship
  • By October 31, complete the Illinois Ethics Online Training (mandatory for graduate assistants)
  • By December 15, complete the Intent to File for Certification form, which is available on the Colleen of Education's Teacher Education website
  • By December 15, complete the online Illinois State Board of Education's School Psychology Content Areas Test
  • By January 31, complete and submit the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Certification form to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By January 31, complete and submit the Professional Practice Insurance Coverage and the Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification forms to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By April 1, complete and submit the Academic Professional Development Information form and the Apprentice/Thesis/Dissertation Progress Report with supporting documentation (vita, practicum logs, transcript) to the Graduate Programs Office

When an advanced practicum site, and university and field supervisors have been determined, trainees and supervisors should complete the PSY 590 Advanced Practicum Contract. Trainees should submit the signed contract to the program coordinator in order to receive an override to enroll in the PSY 590 course. The Advanced Practicum Contract must be approved by the program coordinator before trainees are able to enroll in the PSY 490 course and begin working at the practicum site.

Fifth Year and Beyond

  • For the academic year, enroll for one hour in PSY 598 Doctoral Internship in School Psychology for each of three semesters for a 12-month internship
  • By September 15, complete and submit the Professional Practice Insurance Coverage and the Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification forms to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By September 15, interns and their site supervisor should complete and submit the Doctoral Internship Plan to the School Psychology Internship Director
  • By January 31, complete and submit the Professional Practice Insurance Coverage and the Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification forms to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By April 1, complete and submit the Academic Professional Development Information form and the Apprentice/Thesis/Dissertation Progress Report with supporting documentation (vita, practicum logs, transcript) to the Graduate Programs Office
  • By August 1, complete and submit the Doctoral Internship Site Evaluation to the School Psychology Internship Director
  • Defend your dissertation