Information For Students

The Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP) offers a number of opportunities for students to be involved in the field. These range from opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and service, to opportunities for research and travel awards and grants. Please visit the links below to find out more.

Student Advisory Board

The Student Advisory Board is a group of 10 students who are chosen to represent the student membership within Division 54. This board works with the Student Representative to promote student interests in Division programming, structure, and training, and to encourage other students to get involved. Click here to learn more about Student Advisory Board activities and members.

Student Spotlight

The Student Spotlight is a wonderful opportunity for mentors to honor undergraduate and graduate students who are dedicated to the field of pediatric psychology.  Students who are selected for this honor will be featured in the Student Spotlight section of Progress Notes.  SPP’s Student Advisory Board accepts nominations for outstanding students three times a year (typically two calls for graduate students and one for undergraduate students).  Students are selected based upon their commitment to pediatric psychology and contributions to the field.  For more information or to nominate a student, please download a nomination form here and send the nomination form, a letter of recommendation, and the nominee’s CV to Christina Rutherford at rutherford.77@osu.edu and Jessica Valenzuela at Jessica.Valenzuela@cchmc.org.

  Graduate Student Nomination Form
  Undergraduate Student Nomination Form

Awards

Each year SPP offers several awards for students members. The SPP Student Research Award is a competitive award given in recognition of outstanding student research on issues related to pediatric psychology and health care of children. The SPP Student Travel and Poster Awards are competitive awards given to help offset costs associated with attendance at APA and in recognition of outstanding research presented in poster format at APA (respectively). Click here to find out more about SPP award opportunities and award application deadlines.

Grants

The Society of Pediatric Psychology sponsors two grants that are intended to facilitate high quality student research in topic areas that are central to the mission of the society. Please click here for more information about these competitive grant opportunities.

SPP Mentorship Program

As part of the SPP’s commitment to foster students’ professional development, the SPP Mentorship Program was established to link students and early career psychologists with more seasoned professionals. Since the inception of the project, 235 Division members have indicated an interest in the Mentorship Program, with 112 matches made since July 2005. Please follow this link to learn more about the program, including information about how to join.

Links to Information about Training in Pediatric Psychology

The links below supply additional information about training in pediatric and clinical child psychology.

• Dr. Mitch Prinstein’s Uncensored Advice on graduate training in clinical child and pediatric psychology covers a range of common questions and concerns about graduate school and professional life as a clinical child or pediatric psychologist. Please note that the views expressed in this document do not reflect the views of the Society of Pediatric Psychology.

• In addition to his Uncensored Advice, Dr. Prinstein maintains a List of Graduate Training Programs that offer specialized training in clinical child and pediatric psychology.

• Dr. Kevin Hommel’s commentary on specialized training in pediatric psychology provides a brief overview of training issues pertaining to pediatric psychology. Please note that the views expressed in this document do not reflect the views of the Society of Pediatric Psychology.