How To Become a School Psychologist: Education Requirements

School psychologists work in school settings to help students and teachers. Before you can work as a school psychologist, you'll need education and a license.

Keep reading to learn more about what school psychologists do and the requirements to start down this exciting career path.

What is a School Psychologist?

A school psychologist is a psychologist who specifically works with children and adolescents within a school setting. They specialize in educational and developmental disorders.

The job duties of a school psychologist may include:

• addressing learning and behavioral problems of students
• designing and implementing performance plans
• evaluating student performance and behavior
• offering counseling to students and families
• suggesting school-wide strategies to improve student learning and behavior

Most school psychologists work for K-12 public schools, but some work for private schools. Depending on the size of the district, some may work for a specific school and others may work for the district.

School psychologists typically work a full-time, Monday through Friday, schedule. While they may not see students in the summers, they may use that time for continuing education or administrative tasks.

Steps To Becoming a School Psychologist

To become a school psychologist, you'll need to earn a graduate degree in school psychology and obtain a license to practice school psychology from your state.

We've broken down the steps below.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Before you can start a graduate program in school psychology, you need to first earn a bachelor's degree. These are undergraduate school psychology degrees that take about four years to complete.

Most graduate school psychology programs don't require you to have a specific undergraduate major, though this requirement will vary between programs.

A bachelor's degree in psychology is a common choice, as well as fields like education, child development, or sociology.

Step 2: Complete a Graduate Degree Program in School Psychology

There are two options for graduate degrees in school psychology: an Education Specialist (EdS) degree in school psychology or a doctorate degree in school psychology.

Education specialist programs usually take three years to complete. This includes two years of coursework and a one-year internship in a school setting.

Sometimes, these programs are offered as a degree, while other times they are offered as a certificate on top of a master's degree.

Another option is a doctorate degree. Doctorate degrees in school psychology are typically offered as one of the following:

• Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Doctor of Psychology (PhD)

Regardless of the type of doctoral degree, these programs can take anywhere from five to six years to complete. This includes a one-year internship in a school setting.

A specialist degree is the minimum required to practice as a school psychologist, but a doctoral degree allows for a broader range of career options.

Some schools allow you to first earn an educational specialist degree and then continue on to earn a doctoral degree.

A graduate program in school psychology should ensure that graduates demonstrate knowledge and skills in the ten domains established by the National Association of School Psychology (NASP). These are:

• consultation and collaboration
• data-based decision-making and accountability
• diversity in development and learning
• family-school collaboration services
• interventions and instructional support to develop academic skills
• interventions and mental health services to develop social and life skills
• legal, ethical, and professional practice
• preventative and responsive services
• research and program evaluation
• school-wide practices to promote learning

You can find approved and accredited school psychology programs through the National Association of School Psychology.

Step 3: Obtain a School Psychologist License

All states require school psychologists to hold a license. The specific requirements for licensure vary by state, but typically include:

• completing a graduate program in school psychology
• fulfilling a certain number of experience hours in a school setting
• passing a background check
• passing a certification exam

Some states have their own exams they use for school psychologists, while others use or accept national exams for school psychology.

Praxis School Psychologist Exam

Praxis exams are exams for education professionals offered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It offers an exam for school psychologists.

This exam is made up of 140 questions. These questions cover the following content categories:

• professional practices, practices that permeate all aspects of service delivery
• direct and indirect services for children, families, and schools (student-level services)
• systems-level services
• foundations of school psychological service delivery

Students have 140 minutes to complete this exam. The exam is computer-based and can be taken at home or through a testing center.

Not all states require the Praxis exam, but the Praxis exam is required for certification through the National Association of School Psychology.

National Association of School Psychology Certification

The National Association of School Psychology certification recognizes school psychologists who meet the association's rigorous national standards.

Many states will award a license to those who have been certified by the NASP, but professionals can pursue certification independent of licensure as well.

To obtain certification through the NASP, you must meet the following requirements:

• graduate from a school psychology program and submit transcripts
• complete school psychology practicum and an internship of at least 1,200 hours
• pass the Praxis exam

Students who did not graduate from an NASP-approved program will also need to prepare a case study that demonstrates their competency.

Become a School Psychologist

To become a school psychologist, you'll need to earn a graduate degree in school psychology and obtain a license from your state.

With the steps above, you can be on your way to a career as a school psychologist today!