We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

School Psychologist

School Psychology is a highly specialized branch of psychology that focuses on the mental health and well-being of students in educational settings. As a School Psychologist, you will be responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health issues that may interfere with a student’s academic performance or social development.

Read more

School Psychology is a highly specialized branch of psychology that focuses on the mental health and well-being of students in educational settings. As a School Psychologist, you will be responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health issues that may interfere with a student’s academic performance or social development.

The Role of a School Psychologist

School Psychologists play a vital role in the educational system. They work with students, parents, teachers, and administrators to create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students. School Psychologists may also provide individual or group counseling, conduct心理 assessments, and develop and implement behavior plans.

In addition to their work with students, School Psychologists may also provide consultation to teachers and administrators on how to best meet the needs of students with special needs. They may also develop and implement schoolwide programs to promote mental health and well-being.

Education and Training

To become a School Psychologist, you will need a master's degree in School Psychology from an accredited program. In addition, you will need to complete a supervised internship and pass a national certification exam.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for School Psychologists is expected to be good over the next few years. As schools continue to focus on the mental health and well-being of their students, the demand for School Psychologists is likely to increase.

Skills and Knowledge

To be successful as a School Psychologist, you will need strong communication and interpersonal skills. You will also need to be able to work independently and as part of a team. In addition, you will need to have a strong understanding of child development, mental health, and educational psychology.

Personal Qualities

If you are interested in a career as a School Psychologist, you should have a strong desire to help others. You should also be patient, understanding, and compassionate. You should be able to work well with children and adolescents, and you should be able to maintain confidentiality.

How to Prepare for a Career as a School Psychologist

There are a number of things you can do to prepare for a career as a School Psychologist. First, you can volunteer or work in a school setting. This will give you firsthand experience working with children and adolescents, and it will help you to develop the skills you need to be successful as a School Psychologist.

Career Growth

With experience, School Psychologists can move into leadership roles, such as department chair or principal. They may also choose to specialize in a particular area of School Psychology, such as working with students with disabilities or working with students who have experienced trauma.

Transferable Skills

The skills you develop as a School Psychologist are transferable to many other careers. For example, you may be able to use your skills in communication, interpersonal relations, and problem-solving to work in a variety of settings, such as human resources, social work, or counseling.

Personality Traits

People who are successful as School Psychologists tend to be:

  • Patient
  • Understanding
  • Compassionate
  • Good communicators
  • Able to work independently and as part of a team
  • Have a strong desire to help others

Day-to-Day of a School Psychologist

The day-to-day of a School Psychologist can vary depending on the school setting and the specific needs of the students. However, some common tasks may include:

  • Conducting心理 assessments
  • Providing individual or group counseling
  • Developing and implementing behavior plans
  • Consulting with teachers and administrators
  • Developing and implementing schoolwide programs to promote mental health and well-being

Challenges of a School Psychologist

School Psychologists may face a number of challenges in their work. These challenges may include:

  • Working with students who have complex mental health needs
  • Working with students who have experienced trauma
  • Working with students who are resistant to help
  • Working with parents who are resistant to help
  • Working in a school setting that has limited resources

Projects of a School Psychologist

School Psychologists may work on a variety of projects, such as:

  • Developing and implementing a schoolwide program to promote mental health and well-being
  • Conducting a心理 assessment of a student who is struggling academically
  • Providing individual or group counseling to a student who is experiencing anxiety
  • Developing and implementing a behavior plan for a student who is exhibiting disruptive behaviors
  • Consulting with teachers and administrators on how to best meet the needs of students with special needs

Personal Growth Opportunities

School Psychology is a rewarding career that offers many opportunities for personal growth. As a School Psychologist, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of students. You will also have the opportunity to learn and grow as a professional.

Online Courses

Online courses can be a great way to prepare for a career as a School Psychologist. Online courses can provide you with the flexibility to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. Online courses can also be a great way to learn from experts in the field.

Here are some of the skills and knowledge you can gain from online courses:

  • Child development
  • Mental health
  • Educational psychology
  • Psychological assessment
  • Counseling techniques
  • Behavior management

Online courses alone are not enough to prepare you for a career as a School Psychologist. However, online courses can be a helpful learning tool to bolster your chances of success for entering this career.

Share

Help others find this career page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Salaries for School Psychologist

City
Median
New York
$100,000
San Francisco
$139,000
Seattle
$100,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$100,000
San Francisco
$139,000
Seattle
$100,000
Austin
$109,000
Toronto
$85,000
London
£39,000
Paris
€49,000
Berlin
€57,000
Tel Aviv
₪151,420
Singapore
S$63,000
Beijing
¥143,000
Shanghai
¥207,000
Shenzhen
¥217,200
Bengalaru
₹48,000
Delhi
₹48,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to School Psychologist

Take the first step.
We've curated 24 courses to help you on your path to School Psychologist. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
This extensive handbook offers a comprehensive examination of child psychology and developmental science, covering topics from infancy through adolescence. It features contributions from leading experts in the field and provides in-depth coverage of theoretical perspectives, research methods, and applied interventions.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the neuropsychological evaluation of reading disorders. It covers a wide range of assessment tools and techniques, and it offers practical advice on how to interpret the results of these assessments.
Provides a comprehensive overview of social-emotional learning (SEL) and how to implement SEL programs in schools. It is written by three leading experts in the field of SEL and is based on the latest research.
Provides a comprehensive overview of reading disorders, including their causes, symptoms, and treatments. It is written in a clear and concise style, making it accessible to parents and teachers alike.
Takes a developmental approach to reading disorders, examining how they relate to language development. It valuable resource for researchers and clinicians who want to better understand the underlying causes of reading disorders.
Examines the neuropsychological aspects of lifespan development, exploring the relationship between brain development and cognitive, emotional, and social changes. It provides a comprehensive overview of the field and its implications for understanding normal and atypical development.
Explores major theories of human development, covering historical and contemporary perspectives. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of each theory and discusses their implications for understanding lifespan development.
Presents a psychological perspective on lifespan development, emphasizing the role of culture, social interaction, and context. It explores how individuals develop and change throughout their lives and how these changes are shaped by their experiences and environments.
Provides a comprehensive overview of dyslexia and the brain. It is written in a clear and concise style, making it accessible to parents and teachers alike.
Explores the importance of having a growth mindset, which is the belief that you can improve your abilities through hard work and dedication. A growth mindset is essential for SEL, as it helps individuals to persevere in the face of challenges and to learn from their mistakes.
This handbook provides an in-depth examination of attachment theory and its applications across the lifespan. It covers the development of attachment relationships, their impact on emotional and social functioning, and the implications for clinical interventions.
Explores the principles of positive psychology, focusing on promoting well-being and flourishing across the lifespan. It covers topics such as resilience, optimism, gratitude, and purpose, and provides practical exercises for fostering these qualities.
Focuses specifically on motor development across the lifespan, examining changes in motor skills, coordination, and balance from infancy to old age. It explores the interplay between biological, cognitive, and social factors in shaping motor development.
Provides practical advice on how to help students with reading disorders in the classroom. It covers a wide range of topics, including assessment, instruction, and accommodations.
Focuses specifically on dyslexia, one of the most common types of reading disorders. It provides practical advice on how to help children with dyslexia overcome their reading difficulties.
Focuses on the biological aspects of adulthood and aging, examining physiological changes, genetic influences, and environmental factors that shape development during these stages. It provides a solid foundation for understanding the aging process and its implications for health and well-being.
Focuses on the assessment and treatment of reading comprehension difficulties. It provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of reading comprehension difficulties and offers practical advice on how to help students overcome these difficulties.
Offers a balanced approach to lifespan development, considering both biological and cultural influences. It covers physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes across the lifespan and explores the role of cultural factors in shaping development.
Provides a practical guide to developing emotional intelligence, which is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. Emotional intelligence key component of SEL, as it helps individuals to build strong relationships and to resolve conflict peacefully.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser