School Psychologist

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Become A School Psychologist

Are you the first person your friends turn to with problems, or when they just need to talk? Would you love the chance to help troubled kids navigate successfully through their formative years, like Robin Williams' character in Good Will Hunting? If so, you might want to consider a career as a school psychologist.

School Psychologist in a Nutshell

Psychologists are generally considered social scientists who study human behavior and the mind. School psychologists, one of the many specialized fields within psychology, help provide elementary and secondary school students with supportive learning environments by counseling them and working directly with their parents, teachers and school administrators.

Education Requirements for School Psychologists

In most states school psychologists must obtain an Education Specialist degree (EdS), which consists of a 3-year full-time graduate program followed by a 1-year internship with a mentor in a public school.

Education Specialists degrees are offered at many colleges and universities. Students have the option of specializing in elementary education, secondary education or special education. Many of these programs are also accredited by the Association of Teacher Educators, which many employers look for in the hiring process.

There are a few states, however, that allow students to substitute their master's degree in psychology and previous educational experiences for an Education Specialist degree.

Day in the Life of a School Psychologist

School psychologists spend much of their time meeting with teachers, school administrators, parents and students. The topics of these meetings can range from behavior in the classroom to parenting strategies, and from techniques for teaching gifted students to substance abuse problems. At its most basic (and rewarding) level, school psychologists work to forge trusting relationships with students to ensure that the students feel comfortable approaching them with any learning or personal issues.

School psychologists generally work 40 hours a week in a school environment, although in areas where school psychologists are scarce, psychologists may be responsible for covering several schools over a wide geographic area.

School psychologists can often be a troubled student's last resort before dropping out of school, or worse. As such, the job can be extremely stressful. However, like any profession that addresses a basic human need, the rewards of successfully helping young people reach their potential can be immense and can lead to life-long relationships.

Job Growth for School Psychologists

School psychologists fall under the career umbrella of psychologists, and employment opportunities for psychologists are expected to grow up to 26 percent through 2014. This growth is faster than the national average for all occupations, which is due to an increased demand for psychological services in most fields, including schools and social service agencies.