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School Psychology Dissertations

The University of Southern Maine (USM) School Psychology programs integrate coursework, field experiences, and applied research opportunities to ensure graduates meet the practice competencies established by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the standards of the American Psychological Association (APA).

As the only school psychology training program in the state, we offer a Master of Science (MS) in Educational Psychology with a concentration in School Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in School Psychology. Our course of study meets the educational requirements to apply for Maine certification as a school psychologist. Learn more

Submissions from 2023 2023

Demystifying Writing: Using Conceptual Interview and Flowchart to Create Writing Goals, Amanda Buckley

The Effects of Behavioral Skills Training on Reciprocal Greetings With Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Carissa Cucchi

Trends in Threat Assessments Across the United States According to School Psychologists, Jacqueline Lyman

A Replication Study of the Experimental Evaluation on the Screening Tool for Assessment: Direct Screening Test on Lower Elementary School-Age Children, Karen Murphy

Submissions from 2022 2022

What about the 'R' in Riot?: A Comprehensive Examination of School Psychologists' Record Review Processes, Hannah Luken

Teachers' Perceptions of the Acceptability of the Jigsaw Method: An Exploration of Implementation Barriers and Faciliators, Amanda Nalls

Submissions from 2021 2021

The Use of Accept-Identify-Move: A Behavior Analytic Curriculum for Social-Emotional Development in Children to Increase Psychological Flexibility, Jennifer Doucette

Submissions from 2020 2020

Teaching Prekindergarten Participants to Self-Monitor Social Distancing Utilizing Pictures and a Behavioral Skills, Melissa Bubier

The Effects of Stability Ball Chairs for Students Identified with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Evaluation of Changes in On-task, In-seat and Work Productivity Behaviors in a Special Education Classroom, Adrien Lemar

Submissions from 2019 2019

Teaching Adolescent Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders to Respond to and Generate Disguised Mands, Derek Guptill

Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Effects on Teachers' Beliefs About Classroom Behavior Management, Hilarie Fotter Kennedy PsyD

The Use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Techniques to Augment Traditional Behavioral Skills Training for Educators Implementing Behavior Specific Praise Statements in The Classroom Setting, Clelia Sigaud

Submissions from 2018 2018

A Comparison of Curriculum Based Measures of Oral Reading Fluency, Trish Merrill PsyD

Further Evaluation of the PLS Program: Reduced Consultant Involvement, Kelly Ann Pelletier PsyD

Submissions from 2017 2017

The Effects of Behavioral Momentum on Increasing Expressive Writing Behaviors in Children Resistant to Writing Tasks, Hannah D. Batley PsyD

An Evaluation of Social Skill Intervention Effects Using the Skillstreaming Curriculum, Katie Kolbe-Holden PsyD

Submissions from 2016 2016

The Reliability and Validity of the Task Analysis Recording Procedure (TARP), Russell Brown PsyD

A Comparison of a Discrete Trial Teaching Procedure and an Incidental Teaching Procedure to Help Children with Developmental Disorders Acquire Sight Word Reading Skills, Adam Golonka PsyD

Teaching Children with Autism to Mand from Their Peers, Michelle Hathaway PsyD

A Pilot Investigation of a Multi-Tier System of Mathematics Instruction for Prekindergarten Students, William Benjamin Roy PsyD

Submissions from 2015 2015

Peer Assisted Learning Strategies for Reading Skills Improvement by Children with Social, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Jayne M. Boulos PsyD

A Comparison of the Effects of Low- and High-Technology Activity Schedules on Task Engagement of Young Children with Developmental Disabilities, Susan Jarmuz-Smith PsyD

Response Interruption and Redirection Applied to Life Skills Tasks, Ryan M. Long PsyD

Effects of the Strong Kids Curriculum as a Targeted Intervention for Students At-Risk for Developing Depressive Disorders, Danielle D. Williams PsyD

Submissions from 2014 2014

Functional Analysis of Ear Plugging and Treatment Analysis of Noise Dampening Headphones, Erin M. Beardsley PsyD

An Evaluation of the Efficacy of Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) on Improving Freshman College Students' Writing Abilities, Monica R. Chenard PsyD

Self-regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) for Writing: A Tier 2 Intervention for Fifth Grade, Christina A. Flanders PsyD

Evaluating the Effects of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) in Mathematics Plus an Anxiety Treatment on Achievement and Anxiety of Third Grade Students, Kelly Ann Hugger PsyD

The Effect of Peer-Coaching on Social Skills Performance of Middle School Students with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, John Potter PsyD

Effects of Peer Tutoring on the Reading Fluency and Comprehension of Seventh Grade Students, Meaghan Opuda Swan PsyD

Submissions from 2013 2013

Effects of the Corrective Reading Program as an intervention for Seventh Grade English Language Learners, Jennifer L. Robert PsyD

Submissions from 2012 2012

Evaluating The Efficacy of an Adaptation of PALS for Math in a Seventh Grade Classroom, Alexis Marie Berry Kiburis PsyD

Promoting Students' Social and Academic Success Through Teacher Praise, Rebekah S. Bickford PsyD

Evaluation of Multiple Schedules With Naturally Occurring and Contrived Discriminative Stimuli Following Functional Communication Training, Kenneth D. Shamlian PsyD

An Evaluation of The Effects of Spaced Trial Fading on Skill Acquisition: An Analysis of Transfer of Stimulus Control, Amanda Nicole Zangrillo PsyD

Submissions from 2010 2010

Extending the Functional Behavioral Assessment Process: A Methodology for Test-driving Interventions with Varied Choice Dimensions to Reduce Escape-maintained Behaviors Displayed by Youth with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Jamie Laura Pratt PsyD