1. School Psychology Information Night
December 6, 2016

2. Program Mission
The mission of the California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), School Psychology Program is to promote school psychology practices that lead to positive learning and life outcomes for children and adolescents. To that end the program engages in research, the dissemination of knowledge, the promotion of culturally competent practice, and professional and community services that advance school psychology practices in Sacramento, California, the United States, and internationally.

3. Are you interested in a career that will enable you to:
Make a positive difference in the lives of children and adolescents?
Support students who have mental health needs?
Collaborate with educators, parents, community members, and mental health professionals?
Help improve school climate and policies?
Rely on research-based evidence to inform decisions?
Assess students’ behavioral and learning needs to determine the best ways to help them?

4. Who are School Psychologists?

5. School Psychologists are... Child Advocates
Underlying Principles:
All children can learn and be successful
Decisions should be made based on the best interests of the children
Decisions should be based on proven best practices

6. Mental Health Professionals
Mental Health Services:
Administer social-emotional assessments
Implement group and individual counseling services
Provide professional development and education to staff and other educators
Serve as a mental health advocate for students
Provide education for parents

7. Psycho-Educational Assessment Experts
Meeting the Needs of Students:
Administer cognitive and psycho-educational assessments
Interpret assessments and data to inform decisions as an IEP team member
Consult and collaborate with school staff, district personnel, community members, mental health professionals, parents, and students

8. Consultants Provide recommendations and interpretations regarding:
Instructional, behavioral, and mental health interventions and accommodations
Best practices for school and district policies
Special education eligibility criteria, codes, laws, and regulations

9. Leaders in Research
School psychologists conduct research, write publications, and participate as members of professional communities, including:
National Association of School Psychology (NASP)
California Association of School Psychology (CASP)
International School Psychology Association (ISPA)

10. What is the difference between…
School Counselor
School Psychologist
At least 3 years of graduate school
Trained in education and psychology
Responsibilities include assessment, consultation, behavioral and academic intervention, crisis prevention and intervention, individual / group counseling, and program evaluation
Employed in public and private schools, private practice, mental health centers, and universities
At least 2 years of graduate school
Trained in education and counseling
Responsibilities include Individual and group counseling, career planning, and course scheduling
Employed in public schools and university advisement centers

11. What is the difference between…
Child Clinical Psychologist
School Psychologist
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
Focus on how social / emotional issues, family and environmental circumstances, neurological factors, and mental health affect learning

12. Where do School Psychologists work?
Public Schools (83.7%)
Colleges and universities (7.4%)
Private school (6.2%)
Private practice (3.5%)
Faith-based schools (2.5%)
Hospitals (0.8%)
State departments of education (0.6%)
Other settings (3.6)

13. Who are today’s School Psychologists?
77% are women
17.8% were 60+ years of age (in 2010)
Ethnicity %
White/Caucasian
90.7
Hispanic/Latino
3.4
Black/African-American
3.0
Asian-American/Pacific Islander
1.3
American Indian/Alaskan Native
0.6
Other
1.0
Sac Stats
34.5 27
14.6
18.3
1.1%
4.5
(Curtis, Castillo & Gelley, 2012; NASP, 2010)

14. Education Level of School Psychologists
29.4% have a master’s degree
53.9% have a specialist degree
Most Sac State School Psychology students get both a master’s degree and an Education Specialist degree
16.7% have a doctorate degree
(NASP, 2010)

15. What’s the Job Outlook? Excellent both at present and long-term!
Not enough graduates to meet demand
School Psychology was named:
One of the“100 Best Jobs” in 2015 & 2016
#2 in “Best Social Service Jobs” in 2016
Employment of psychologists is projected to grow 19% (Much faster than average) from 2014 to 2024
One of the groups with the best job prospects will be those with a specialist or doctoral degree in school psychology.
(US News and World Report; Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics)

16. Salary Information 75th Percentile: $89,830 Median: $68,900
NASP: Mean salaries of School Psychologists:
Practitioner (200 Days Contract): $71,320
University Faculty: $77,801
Administration: $93,258
State Department: $75,000
Salaries for school psychologists vary by district, state, and region.
(US News and World Report ; NASP, 2010)

17. Contracts & Salaries Full-Time School-Based Practitioners
Contracted days per year:
60.5% have 170 to 199 contract days (typical school year)
38.1% have 200 days or more (beyond typical school year)
Mean Per Diem Salary = $356.60
180 days = $64,188
190 days = $67,754
200 days = $71,320
210 days = $74,886
220 days = $75,452
• Mean Ed. S. Per Diem Salary = $330.36

18. CSUS School Psychology Graduate Program

19. Why Choose CSUS School Psychology Graduate Program?
NASP approved
Accredited training program - California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC)
In 3 years (6 semesters) earn your Master’s and Education Specialist degree (Ed. S.)in School Psychology, and Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS)
Optional-- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with additional coursework and supervised hours which allows you to practice independent clinical counseling.
Optional—Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) with additional coursework and supervised hours which allows you to provide psychoeducational services in an independent private practice
** for more information on optional programs

20. Excellent Teaching Current Full-Time Faculty
Dr. Stephen Brock, Professor and Program Coordinator, School Psychology; NASP President
Dr. Melissa Holland, Assistant Professor & Fieldwork-Intern Coordinator
Dr. Meagan O’Malley, Assistant Professor
Dr. Arlene Ortiz, Assistant Professor
Current practicing school psychologists, clinical psychologists, behavioral specialists, and other mental health professionals

21. During the 1st Year, You Will…
Take courses in group and individual counseling, psycho-educational assessment, child development, and research methods
Begin individual counseling and psycho- educational assessment (GATE testing) with direct supervision, instruction, and guidance from highly qualified, practicing school psychologists and clinical psychologists

22. During the 2nd Year You Will…
Take courses in psycho-educational assessment, behavioral assessment and intervention, academic interventions, and much more
Work in the field with supervision by practicing school psychologists and participate in IEP and SST meetings, observe in classrooms, and run individual and group counseling sessions
Conduct psycho-educational assessments (Diagnostics) in the CSUS Center for Counseling and Diagnostics Services (CCDS) with direct supervision, instruction, and guidance
Finish your 4th (full time) semester with a Master’s in Education, School Psychology

23. During the 3rd Year, You Will…
Work as an Intern (usually paid) in a local school district with guidance and supervision from practicing school psychologists and your professors.
Work on your Ed.S thesis or project
Complete units and coursework to further prepare you for your future career
Graduate with an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology (Ed.S.) and your Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS)

24. The Power of the Cohort

25. Admission Requirements
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
A minimum of 3.0 grade point average (if GPA is below a 3.0, student may be accepted conditionally) and previous transcripts
Evidence of registration for or California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) passing score
Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores- from the three sections of the General Test taken within five years of applying to the Ed.S. program (not currently required, but strongly encouraged)
Passing of the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR), a score of 4.5 or higher on the writing section of the GRE is also accepted

26. Pre-requisite Requirements
Abnormal Psychology
Education of Exceptional Children
Intro to Behavioral Statistics (or similar basic statistics coursework)
Intro to Counseling
Power, Privilege, and Self-Identity
Tutoring Children Reading Course and/or Experience
Drugs and Behavior
*Similar coursework covering topics from the above courses may be used with department approval. Provide evidence that coursework taken meets requirements of the courses listed and discuss with advisor/program coordinator once you have been admitted in the program.

27. Applications for Fall 2017 are DUE February 1, 2017
Should complete University Application online by Monday, January16, so as to be able to upload the Supplemental Application.
Supplemental Program Application Packet deadline is Wednesday, February 1, 2017

28. Application & Interview Tips
Demonstrate :
High performance in demanding programs or employment (GPA, strong references from professors and employers)
Progress toward prerequisites (enroll for upcoming semesters)
Your knowledge of what school psychologists do
Prepare questions to ask your interviewers
Show your excitement!
Interview concludes with a spontaneous writing sample.

29. Acceptance & Graduation Rates
For Fall 2016 cohort: 80 applications 45 interviews 19 students admitted 3 year graduation rate: 80%

30. Excellent Opportunity Mark Your Calendar!
CSUS 2017 School Psychology Conference: Staying Informed
When: Thursday, January 19th & Friday, January 20th
Where: Sac State Campus
What: Presentations by, Dr. Stephen Brock, Dr. Meagan O’Malley, Dr. Melissa Holland, Dr. Arlene Ortiz and other mental health professionals.
Register TODAY! See sacstateschoolpsych.weebly.com for registration information.

31. Advising Questions
If your last name starts with A through E, contact Dr. Stephen Brock for advising Phone: (916) | Office: Brighton Hall 225 |
If your last name starts with F through L, contact Dr. Melissa Holland for advising Phone: (916) | Office: Brighton Hall 227 |
If your last name starts with M through S, contact Dr. Meagan O’Malley for advising Phone: (916) | Office: Brighton Hall 225 |
If your last name starts with T through z, contact Dr. Arlene Ortiz for advising Phone: (916) | Office: Brighton Hall 227 |

32. Contact Information for Current Students
Outreach Coordinators
Summer Smith
Jaclyn Sayklay
Marisa Depaulo
Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions you have about the application process, the program, or the field from a student’s perspective.

33. Websites to Checkout
National Association of School Psychologists CSUS School Psychology Association Page sacstateschoolpsych.weebly.com/

34. Sources
Curtis, M. J., Lopez, Castillo, J. M., & Gelley, C. (2010). School Psychology 2010: Demographics, employment, and the context for professional practices- part 1. Retrieved from 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, NY. Fagan, T. K., & Wise, P. S. (2007). School psychology: Past, present, and future (3rd ed.). Bethesda, MD: NASP. Hosp, J. L., & Reschly, D. J. (2002). Regional differences in school psychology practice. School Psychology Review, 31, Retrieved from Thomas, A., & Grimes, J. (2008). Best practices in school psychology V. Bethesda, MD: NASP.

35. Questions?