www.nasponline.org ©2008, National Association of School Psychologists School Psychology A Career That Makes a Difference www.nasponline.org ©2008, National Association of School Psychologists

What is a School Psychologist?

School Psychologists link mental health to learning and behavior to promote: High academic achievement Positive social skills and behavior Healthy relationships and connectedness Tolerance and respect for others Competence, self-esteem, and resiliency

When Do Children Need A School Psychologist? Learning difficulties Behavior concerns Attention problems Problems at home or with peers Fears about war, violence, terrorism Depression and other mental health issues Coping with crisis and trauma Poverty, violence, or life changing events Advocacy of their learning and mental health needs

What Is the Role of a School Psychologist? Assessment Consultation for student and systems-level change Prevention Intervention Staff, parent, and student education Research and program development Mental health care Advocacy

Where Do School Psychologists Work? Public and private schools Private practice Colleges and universities Community mental health centers Institutional/residential facilities Pediatric clinics and hospitals Criminal justice system Public agencies

FAQ: How does a School Psychologist differ from a school counselor? At least 2 yrs grad school At least 3 yrs grad school Trained in ed./counseling Trained in ed./psychology Individual and group counseling addressing a variety of issues, career planning, and course scheduling Assessment, consultation, behavioral/academic intervention, crisis prevention/intervention, individual /group counseling, and program evaluation Employed in public schools and university advisement centers Employed in public/private schools, private practice, mental health centers, and universities

FAQ: How does a school psychologist differ from a child psychologist? School psychologists focus on how social emotional issues, family problems, neurological factors, and mental illness affect learning Child clinical psychologists: Usually work in a hospital, mental health center, private clinic, or university setting Are not typically trained in education, instruction, or classroom management Do not focus primarily on the multiple factors that affect learning

So how do I become a School Psychologist?

Undergraduate Training Must complete a Bachelor’s degree Consider an education, psychology or related field Take courses in Child development General and child psychology Statistics, measurement, and research Philosophy and theory of education Instruction and curriculum Special education

Graduate Training- Program Length Specialist-level: 3-4 years (60+ semester credit hours) of full-time training including a 1200-hour internship* Doctorate: 5+ years or more (90+ semester credit hours) of full-time training including a minimum 1500-hour internship*, and dissertation *At least (600) hours of the internship must be completed in a school setting.

Job Outlook? Excellent both at present and long-term! Not enough graduates to meet demand Retirement will soon open many positions Serious need for more ethnic and linguistic diversity in the field School Psychology was named one of the “best careers” for 2008 by US News and World Report www.usnews.com/articles/business/best-careers/2007/12/19/school psychologist-executive-summary.html

“In School Psychology I found a way to indulge my interest in schools, psychology, sociology, leadership, and team work.” — Ryan Estrellado School Psychologist, Chula Vista, CA

Questions? 14

References/Resources Curtis, M. J., Lopez, A.D., Batsche, G. M., & Smith, J. C. (2006, March). School psychology 2005: A national perspective. Paper presented at the annual convention of the National Association of School Psychologists, Anaheim, CA. Curtis, M. J., Lopez, A. D., Batsche, G. M., Minch, D., & Abshier, D. (2007, March). Status report on school psychology: A national perspective. Paper presented at the annual convention of the National Association of School Psychologists, New York City. Fagan, T. K., & Wise, P. S. (2007). School psychology: Past, present, and future 3rd Ed. Bethesda: NASP. Hosp, J. L., & Reschly, D. J. (2002). Regional differences in school psychology practice. School Psychology Review, 31, 11-29. Thomas, A. & Grimes, J. (2008). Best practices in school psychology V. Bethesda: NASP.

For more information, contact: National Association of School Psychologists (301) 657-0270 www.nasponline.org