USD School Psychology Association

05/22/2026

Reminiscing on NASP 2026 and the incredible representation from our USD School Psychology students. From research presentations to advocacy-focused work, we are proud to see our students sharing their knowledge and passion on a national stage. 👏

05/15/2026

Opportunities That Shaped Us Series💭

Experiences beyond the classroom continue to shape our students into thoughtful, collaborative school psychologists.

05/11/2026

We are so proud of our School Psychology graduates! From all you have accomplished throughout this program to the meaningful impact you will continue to make in the future, we are excited to celebrate this milestone with you. 🎓🐾

04/23/2026

Internship Insights from Grace Stull
Third-Year, Ed.S.
Internship Location: Oakland-Craig and Lyons-Decatur, Nebraska

When asked about her favorite part of practicum and internship, Grace shared “I love building the relationships and getting to know the kids. Watching them grow in real time and developing strategies to help them be successful has been the most rewarding experience.”

When asked about some of the most valuable opportunities she experienced during the program, Grace explained that “The most valuable opportunity for me is honestly having Dr. Johns as part of the program. I was so prepared for behavior and behavior interventions that giving suggestions didn’t feel scary or overwhelming for me.”

When asked how her internship experience helped her build confidence as a professional, Grace shared “I finally feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be. So much of graduate school is a learning curve, and questioning yourself is a big part of that. Internship helped me capitalize on my strengths and work harder on the areas I lack in. I work with a lot of amazing people who have become my biggest cheerleaders!”

When asked what advice she would give to those interested in pursuing a career in the field, Grace stated:
“Be the smile that brightens someone’s school day.”

04/16/2026

03/30/2026

Join us Friday, April 10th for our Spring Symposium!

02/18/2026

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity our program members had to attend the ADOS-2 Assessment Training this past week. A sincere thank you to the USD Center for Disabilities and the USD School Psychology Department for making this informative and engaging training possible.

We especially appreciate the expertise of Dr. Robin Rumsey, PhD, LP (Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, University of Minnesota), for leading a comprehensive training experience. From observing live administrations of Modules 1 and 3 to hands-on coding practice and interactive learning opportunities, this experience provided invaluable knowledge and skill-building for our members.

Thank you to everyone who helped organize and present such a meaningful professional development opportunity!

02/04/2026

Internship Insights from Sara Bird
Third-year, Ed.S. Student
Internship Location: Elk Point-Jefferson

When asked about the most valuable opportunities she experienced during the program, Sara shared:
“Working with faculty like Dr. Zahn and Dr. Johns really helped guide my perspective on how I want to operate as a professional in the field. I also really appreciated the opportunities for training such as ADOS-2, PREPARE and NASP!”

When discussing how her internship has influenced her confidence as a professional, Sara noted:
“Leaning into other school psychs is so important, and working with a team is where I am finding confidence!”

When offering advice to those considering a career in the field, Sara encouraged future students to seek connection and clarity early on:
“Talk with the faculty at any graduate school with a program. I think this was the biggest piece for me because I didn’t fully understand it before I did. Dr. Oyen really helped bridge that gap and confirmed my wish to pursue this career!”

01/20/2026

Starting the new semester with a student spotlight featuring our SPA Co-President, Jocelyn. She exemplifies leadership, advocacy, and heart in everything she does. We’re so proud to spotlight her this spring!

12/09/2025

Internship Insights from Bailey Todd Fourth-year Ph.D. Student
Internship Location: Tea Area School District
Bailey reflects on what makes her internship truly meaningful and which skills have mattered most along the way:
“The most impactful part of my internship experience so far has been the students and families I have gotten to work with. When things get busy and overwhelming, they remind me why I chose this profession and why the work we do is important.
The foundational skills that I have found most helpful for internship have been my knowledge of cognitive and academic assessments, as well as training and experience in autism assessment and behavior!”

When asked about the most meaningful opportunities in the program, Bailey speaks to the experiences that have expanded her skills and strengthened her confidence:
“Some of the most valuable opportunities I have experienced during my time in this program have been attending trainings such as the ADOS-2 training and attending our national and state conferences. We have had so many opportunities over my 4 years in the program to learn from so many different trainers and presenters!
The most impactful experiences I have had in the program have been the hands-on experiences I have gotten working with students both in the clinic and school settings, as well as being able to conduct research with the help and support of my supervisor.”