What is a School Psychologist?
School psychologists are uniquely trained mental health professionals who collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to help children and adolescents succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.
Typical Education:
A specialist-level degree (Ed.S., equivalent to 60+ graduate credits and a 1,200-hour internship) or a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in school psychology is typically required for practice.
Salary Range in the United States
The median annual wage for School Psychologists was $84,940 in May 2023.
The salary range for School Psychologists varies significantly based on location, experience, and school district budgets:
10th Percentile (Lower end): $59,250
90th Percentile (Higher end): $131,470
The industry with the highest employment of school psychologists is Elementary and Secondary Schools, with a mean annual wage of $90,940.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, School Psychologists
A Day in the Life of a School Psychologist
How to Become a School Psychologist
- Obtain a Bachelor's Degree: Complete an undergraduate degree, often in psychology, education, or a related social science.
- Earn an Advanced Degree: Enroll in a graduate program, typically leading to a Specialist (Ed.S.) or Doctoral (Ph.D./Psy.D.) degree in school psychology. Specialist-level is the most common entry-level requirement.
- Complete Supervised Experience: Programs generally require field experience, including practicums and a one-year, full-time internship (often 1,200 hours).
- Obtain Licensure/Certification: Most states require school psychologists to be licensed or certified by the state's board of education. This often involves passing a national exam, such as the Praxis School Psychologist exam.
Essential Skills
- Assessment and Evaluation: Expertise in administering, scoring, and interpreting psychological and educational tests to determine student needs and eligibility for special services.
- Strong Communication & Collaboration: Ability to articulate complex psychological concepts clearly to students, parents, teachers, and administrators (both verbally and in written reports).
- Empathy and Interpersonal Skills: The capacity to build trust and rapport with students, understand their perspectives, and demonstrate non-judgmental acceptance.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Applying research and data to develop, implement, and evaluate effective interventions for academic and behavioral challenges.
- Knowledge of Special Education Law and Ethics: A deep understanding of federal and state laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Key Responsibilities
- Assessment and Evaluation: Conduct comprehensive evaluations for students referred for learning, behavior, or mental health concerns.
- Intervention Services: Provide individual and group counseling, behavioral intervention plans, and academic support strategies for students.
- Consultation: Work with teachers, parents, and administrators to help them better understand and support students, implementing research-based strategies in the classroom and at home.
- Crisis Intervention: Respond to and provide support during school-based crises, such as death, trauma, or violence.
- Prevention and Program Development: Design and implement school-wide programs focused on topics like bullying prevention, mental health awareness, and skills training (e.g., social-emotional learning).
Questions?
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