How to Become a School Psychologist: Requirements, Degree & Salary
Explore the requirements and benefits of a career as a school psychologist to determine whether the skills, responsibilities, and educational path are a match for you.
Career Overview of a School Psychologist
School psychologists have the ability to make enormous differences in the lives of the students they serve. By observing and evaluating the cognitive, emotional, and social behaviors of a student, they are able to navigate the issues underlying any learning, developmental, and behavioral problems that may be holding a student back from achieving his or her maximum abilities. The chart below provides some specific insights into the requirements and benefits attached to pursuing a career in school psychology.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b></td><td> An education specialist degree (Ed.S.) or doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td> Psychology or school psychology</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Key Skills</b> </td><td> Patience, problem-solving skills, and integrity as well as strong communication, interpersonal, analytical, and observational skills</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Licensure/Certification</b></td><td> Licensing or state certification is required in all states; voluntary certification is also available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td> 105% (for all clinical, counseling and school psychologists)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $79,820 (for all clinical, counseling and school psychologists)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoSchoolPsychologistsDo">What Do School Psychologists Do?</h3><p>Psychologists are professionals who observe individuals in order to understand their emotions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. School psychologists apply this science specifically to students in order to identify and treat any learning, behavioral and/or developmental disorders. If a student has any problems, a school psychologist will intervene by creating plans to track his or her performance, by providing counseling, and by working with other education professionals to develop strategies for improvement.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatEducationIsRequiredToBecomeASchoolPsychologist">What Education Is Required to Become a School Psychologist?</h3><p>School psychologists need an advanced degree from a program that combines the study of education and psychology. This degree can be in the form of an education specialist degree (Ed.S.) or a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). In addition to coursework, these programs include experience in the form of a year-long internship. This component ensures that school psychologists are able to apply their knowledge and gain hands-on experience before entering the field independently.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTypesOfCertificationAndLicensingAreRequired">What Types of Certification and Licensing Are Required?</h3><p>Licensure or state certification is mandatory in all states. Full licensure or certification can be sought as soon as an individual has earned their higher education degree. Typical requirements include passing an exam, such as the Praxis.
</p><p>As for voluntary certification, the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) certification is available nationally to school psychologists wishing to seek further professional development beyond their education and internship. In order to maintain this certification, school psychologists are required to perform 75 hours of continuing professional development every three years. This credential may lead to additional employment opportunities and benefits.
</p><h3 id="section---HowMuchCanIMakeAsASchoolPsychologist">How Much Can I Make as a School Psychologist?</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for all clinical, counseling, and school psychologists in 2020 was $79,820. The highest ten percent earned $138,550 or more the same year. As far as job outlook is concerned, there is promising growth anticipated for psychologists in these fields, with the number of positions expected to balloon by 10% between 2020 and 2030.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeSimilarCareersInTheFieldOfPsychology">What Are Some Similar Careers in the Field of Psychology?</h3><p>Mental health professionals are needed in a number of settings beyond the school environment. Some work as marriage and family therapists, helping individuals navigate their relationships. Others provide counseling for substance abuse.
</p><p>Other types of psychologists include industrial-organizational psychologists who study employee relationships, job training, and other elements of the workplace to improve the quality of work life. Forensic psychologists work with judges and attorneys to better understand the elements of a court case that may be driven by psychological factors.
</p><p>All of these positions are important to understanding what drives human beings towards certain behaviors and how to develop those behaviors into ones that will lead individuals to their best quality of life, which will, in turn, create a better functioning society.</p>