How to Become a School Psychologist
It is the job of a school psychologist to work in educational settings, helping children deal with social, emotional, and academic issues. These caring professionals work closely with students, parents, and teachers to create an effective, nurturing learning environment that meets the needs of children. Would you like to become one of these much-needed professionals? Would you like to know how to become a school psychologist? As with any career, the first step is to go back to college and get your career training in school psychology. A school psychologist is one of the top careers of our time and has been named as one of the top ten “hot professions” by U.S. News and World Report. Many of the current school psychologists are nearing retirement so this career field will experience great growth over coming years.
How to become a school psychologist – career description
Completing the steps of how to become a school psychologist prepares you to work with individuals and groups of students to help them cope with behavioral problems, academic difficulties, disabilities, and other issues. You will also be prepared to work closely with parents and teachers to help develop techniques for dealing with home and classroom behavior in children. Your job will also involve training parents, teachers, and students in the management of crisis situations and substance abuse problems.
During your job duties, you will provide services in five major areas, which are consultation, prevention, evaluation, intervention, and research and planning. These services are usually provided in primary and secondary schools but may also be provided in universities, state agencies, hospitals, private clinics, and other areas. Many who hold doctoral degrees work as consultants in private practices. Those who hold doctoral degrees often work more in academic research than in clinical practice although they can perform any job in the educational psychology field.
How to become a school psychologist – education and training
If you want to know how to become a school psychologist, know that most states require that school psychologists complete a minimum of two or three years of graduate school before being allowed to practice. Eighteen states also require a national certification that includes the completion of a school psychology internship. Because requirements may vary, it is important to check with your state’s regulations before starting your degree program. You may also need to determine whether you wish to complete a traditional or an online degree program. The preference will depend largely on the travel distance to the nearest campus as well as any restrictions on your time.
By completing the steps of how to become a school psychologist, you are preparing yourself to enter a highly rewarding career field. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that school psychologists earn an average of around $59,000 a year, plus benefits. They also enjoy job security and an excellent working environment. All of these benefits and rewards mean nothing, however, when compared to the satisfaction you gain in knowing that you have made a meaningful difference in the lives of the children with which you work. Go online today to find out more.
