Find an Online Psychology Program for You
Featured Online Psychology & Counseling Programs
What Is a School Psychologist?
School is a very influential part of a child’s life, and for good reason. Children typically spend a large amount of times attending school, starting at the age of five or even younger. Besides getting their first tastes the world of academia, children will also experience a number of other first while in school - first friends, first enemies, first loves, and first heartbreaks. It is also in school when children first begin to really learn about their strengths and weaknesses.
These sudden changes can be hard to adjust to for some students. Other situations and problems, like family discord and learning disabilities, can also make doing well in school very difficult for some students.
School psychology is a branch of psychology that concentrates on students and how to help them make the best of their education. This area of psychology focuses not only on the students' academics, but also social, behavioral, emotional, and personal factors that might also influence their education.
The main purpose of school psychology is to help create happy, health, safe, supportive, and effective learning environments for all children. Professionals in this field are adamant about making sure that the needs and welfare of students are put first at all times.
This branch of psychology was first discussed in 1954, when the American Psychological Association (APA) held a conference at the Hotel Thayer in West Point, NY. This conference was appropriately called the Thayer Conference. During this conference, members of the APA met to discuss the purpose of school psychologists, as well as the roles that they would play in the school systems. Necessary education requirements and credentials of school psychologists were also discussed at this conference. Finally, in 1968, school psychology became an official division of the APA.
Featured School Psychology Master’s Program
Why Do We Need School Psychology?
Young students' minds are very impressionable, and the events that they experience in school will often stick with them for the rest of their lives. For this reason, it is very important to mold our young future leaders to become relatively emotionally stable, socially adept, and intelligent - not sociopaths.
Students who have a rough time in school may be impacted for the rest of their lives, or they might have trouble learning like they should. This can cause problems later on in life or impede them from being accepted at a good college.
School psychologists can help the students adjust better to their schools and peers, which can help them become happier and more successful adults.
What Does a School Psychologist Do?
School psychologists typically work with students, teachers, families, and school administrators to help ensure that students are getting the best education possible.
Where Do School Psychologists Work?
One would probably think that school psychologists work at…well, schools. And one would generally be correct.
School psychologists work in all types of schools, including public schools and private schools. They work with students of all ages, including students in elementary schools, high schools, colleges, universities, and technical schools. Some school psychologists might also work in day care centers, juvenile detention centers, and orphanages.
What Are the Education Requirements to Become a School Psychologist?
Below is the complete educational path for the Psychologists:Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus1.Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnlineorCampus2.Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus3.Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus
Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus1.Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnlineorCampus2.Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus3.Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus
School psychology is often thought of as a cross between counseling or clinical psychology, and educational psychology. Therefore, individuals interested in pursuing school psychology careers should try to ensure that their education reflects this.
To start, aspiring school psychologists should usually earnbachelor degrees in school psychology, counseling psychology, educational psychology, or general psychology. Whatever their majors, future school psychologists should take courses in each of these areas, as well as courses such as developmental psychology.
Although some graduates with bachelor degrees might be able to secure entry-level positions, most states have very strict requirements concerning education requirements for becoming licensed school psychologists. For instance, many states require school psychologists to have 60 or more graduate school credits in school psychology, and they are also usually required to complete a 1,200 hour internship.
More often then not school psychologists will have to complete their education withMaster’s degreesandDoctoral Degrees.
To find schools that offer these courses in your area, visit ourFind a School Page.
How Much do School Psychologists Make?
According to May 2022 reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for school psychologists is$81,500.
The top-paying industries for school psychologists (according to median salary) include:
In elementary and secondary schools, the median wage for school psychologists is $87,320.
Influences on School PsychologyGranville Stanley Hallwas a big influence on the child-study movement, and he believed that studying how administrators, teachers, and parents of gifted children could help influence how all children were taught.Arnold Gesellwas the first person to officially be called a school psychologist. He was also one of the first individuals to evaluate students and make special recommendations on how to teach them.
School Psychologists Job Outlook
A greater demand for child-related psychological services in schools, hospitals, mental health centers, and social services agencies will continue to push the career growth for school psychologists farther in the coming years. According to the BLS, employment of clinical, counseling and school psychologists is currently expected to grow6%through 2031.
What Type of Positions Can a School Psychologist Hold?
The BLS reports that the majority of school psychologists (87%) work in elementary and secondary schools with educational support services and colleges coming in second and third, respectively. In these settings, school psychologists typically assume positions as practitioners, administrators, and faculty/researchers. Other employment opportunities for a school psychologist are found at private schools, hospitals, private clinics, and school-based health and mental health centers. Others establish a private practice, and take on their own clients.
Career Options Available to School Psychologists
Learn more abouthow to become a school psychologist.
Interested in a Master’s in School Psychology? Request Info Below:
Typical Employment Settings for a School Psychologist
“Universities employ school-psychologists as college can be a very stressful time for young adults. Additionally, opportunities exist in community health centers, private clinics and hospitals.”
–Heidi Kay,Co-Founder of PediaStaff
Ways for School Psychologists to Increase Desirability as a Job Candidate
Education plays an important role in the hiring of school psychologists. Employers generally seek candidates that possess a master’s, specialist (Ed. S. degree), or doctoral degree in school psychology. In most states, practicing psychologists require a license or certification. The attributes that a school psychology graduate demonstrates will also increase a job applicant’s chances of getting hired.
Looking to advance your education? Find out more about potential options:
Characteristics Employers Tend to Look for in a School Psychologist
“Speak another language. I am always looking to hire bilingual psychologists [and] can never find enough. If you cannot acquire fluency in another language, obtain lots of culturally diver[sity]. Travel abroad and volunteer or try to obtain practicum experiences in interest areas.”
–Nichole Adams,PsyD, ABPP, Chief Psychologist at Nassau BOCES' Department of Special Education
Ways for a School Psychologist to Increase His/Her Salary
“One way that you can increase your hourly pay rate is to work on contract through a firm that specializes in pediatric therapy. This will allow you ultimate flexibility over your take home pay while simultaneously giving you the opportunity to work with a variety of student populations, in a wide range of geographic locations, if you so desire.”
– Heidi Kay
Being active within the job environment is an effective way for school psychologists to get employers to take notice of his or her value, as well as serve as justification for a promotion. Adams offers the following suggestions for employed school psychologists looking to increase their income:
Networking Opportunities and Organizations
Conferencesprovide a valuable networking resource for school psychologists, and are offered on a local, regional, national, and international level. Attendees often participate in workshops, listen to keynote speakers, exchange research and ideas, as well as commingle during luncheon and dinner events.
“…conferences are what you make them out to be. Find the subjects that pique your interest and follow through with meeting the presenter and obtaining contact information.”
–Nichole Adams
Adams suggests participating in professional organizations on a state and national level. She also advises that students in a university program should network with already-established school psychologists in the field while they are still attending school. Joining a national association, and attending their conferences is also a help, says Adams.
Organizationsthat provide additional networking opportunities for school psychologists include:
School Psychologist Continuing Education (CE) Sources
In addition to state-approved CE programs for psychologists, the APA provides continuing education programs for school psychologists. Some of the ways that a professional can develop his or her career include earning CE credits in topics such asBullying Prevention; Contextual School Counseling Approach; andBehavioral Interventions in Schools: Evidence-Based Positive Strategies.
Ready to start your journey to becoming a school psychologist? Learn whichpsychology degree programis right for you.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forschool psychologistsare based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.
Related Articles
Related CareersPsychological Anthropology CareersBecoming an Environmental PsychologistWhat Is Criminal Psychology? How to Begin Your CareerComparative Psychology CareersBecome a GerontologistGeriatric Psychology CareersPositive Psychology CareersEducational Psychology CareersMilitary Psychology CareersPolice Psychology CareersGeropsychology CareersCareers in NeuropathologyHow to Start a Forensic Psychology CareerSocial Psychology CareersIndustrial & Organizational Psychology CareersAirforce Psychologist CareerBecoming a Health PsychologistSports Psychology Degrees & CareersCultural Psychology CareersTranspersonal Psychology CareersPsychiatry CareersRehabilitation Psychology CareersBecome a BiogerontologistExperimental Psychology CareersGet Started in an Army Psychologist CareerHow to Become a Clinical PsychologistMedia Psychology CareersBecome a Social GerontologistCareers in Personnel PsychologyConsumer Psychology CareersCounseling Psychology CareersCommunity Psychology CareersCareer As A Cognitive PsychologistPsychometrician CareersEngineering Psychology CareersChild and Developmental Psychology CareersHow to Start a Career as a Child PsychologistCareers in Cognitive NeuroscienceApplied Psychology CareersCareers in NeurologySpiritual Psychology CareersHow to Become a Neuropsychologist: Your Complete Guide to Degrees & Careers in NeuropsychologyNavy Psychology Careers
Related Careers
