Is becoming a school psychologist right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
Still unsure if becoming a school psychologist is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a school psychologist or another similar career!
Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.
How to become a School Psychologist
Becoming a school psychologist typically involves completing a specific educational and certification process. Here is a detailed overview of the steps involved:
- Earn a Bachelor's Degree: Start by obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or a related field. While not always mandatory, having a strong foundation in psychology can be beneficial for graduate studies in school psychology.
- Gain Relevant Experience: Seek opportunities to gain relevant experience working with children or in educational settings. This can include volunteering, internships, or employment in schools, mental health clinics, or youth organizations. This experience helps demonstrate your commitment and understanding of working with students.
- Earn a Master's or Specialist Degree: Pursue a Master's or Specialist Degree in School Psychology from a program accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) or the American Psychological Association (APA). These programs provide specialized training in the field, covering topics such as child development, assessment, intervention, and consultation.
- Complete a Practicum: As part of your graduate program, you will typically be required to complete a practicum or fieldwork experience. This involves working under the supervision of a licensed school psychologist in a school or educational setting, gaining hands-on experience and applying your knowledge in practice.
- Complete an Internship: Following the completion of your coursework and practicum, you will typically undertake an internship, which is a more extensive and supervised practical experience. Internships in school psychology programs often last for a full academic year and involve working in a school setting under the guidance of a licensed school psychologist.
- Obtain State Licensure/Certification: After completing your educational requirements, you will need to obtain state licensure or certification as a school psychologist. The specific requirements vary by state but generally involve passing a state examination and completing a certain number of supervised hours of practice.
- Optional: Earn a Doctoral Degree: While a master's or specialist degree is sufficient to work as a school psychologist, some individuals choose to pursue a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in School Psychology or a related field. A doctoral degree can provide additional opportunities for advanced research, teaching, or specialized practice.
- Maintain Continuing Education: As a school psychologist, it is important to stay current with developments in the field. Continuing education is typically required to maintain licensure or certification and may involve attending workshops, conferences, or completing additional coursework.
Certification
School psychologists can obtain certification through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) by completing the National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP) process. The NCSP certification is widely recognized and often required or preferred for employment as a school psychologist. Here is an overview of the NCSP certification process:
- Education and Training: Complete a graduate degree program in school psychology from a NASP-approved or regionally accredited institution. The program should include coursework and supervised experiences aligned with NASP standards.
- Internship: Successfully complete an internship in school psychology. The internship typically consists of a minimum of 1,200 hours, with at least 600 hours spent in a school setting.
- Examination: Pass the Praxis School Psychologist Examination, which is a standardized exam administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The exam assesses knowledge and skills in various areas of school psychology, including assessment, intervention, consultation, and ethical practices.
- Application: Submit an application for the NCSP certification through NASP. The application requires documentation of completed education, internship, and exam scores, as well as any additional requirements specified by the certifying authority in your state.
- Ethical and Professional Conduct: Adhere to NASP's Principles for Professional Ethics, which outline the ethical standards and professional conduct expected of certified school psychologists.
- Continuing Professional Development: Engage in ongoing professional development activities to maintain and renew the NCSP certification. This typically involves obtaining a certain number of continuing education credits or completing professional development activities within a specific timeframe.
It's important to note that certification requirements may vary by state, so it's advisable to check with your state's licensing board or the NASP website for the most up-to-date information regarding certification requirements in your specific state.
In addition to the NCSP certification, some states may also require school psychologists to hold a state-issued license or credential to practice in educational settings. The licensure requirements can vary by state and may include additional criteria such as supervised experience, background checks, and additional exams specific to the state's regulations.