Recruiting strategies: Enlisting tomorrow’s school psychologists  Many recognize the need for recruiting more school psychology candidates but the literature on accomplishing this is lacking.  We describe the results of a series of focus groups and a national survey of candidates regarding recruitment practices.  The implementation and impact of having a school psychology graduate assistant visit regional universities will be explored.

A Little Background  Three year program  3 faculty FTEs  Regional applicants  Cohort size of 7 to 15 Financial concerns Admission criteria

A Little Background  Old Recruiting practices Open house Word of mouth  Newer recruiting practices Brochure Radio Webpage s to GRE takers Student presentations

What do we know about recruitment?  Limited research exists regarding: undergraduates’ awareness and understanding of school psychology what factors influence them to enter the field graduate programs’ recruiting strategies

What do we know about recruitment?  School psychology related content makes up less than 2% of the total content found in introductory psychology textbooks (Lucas, Raley, Washington, & Blazek, 2005)

What do we know about recruitment?  Undergraduate students were significantly less familiar with school psychology compared to both clinical and counseling psychology Stark-Wrobleski, Wiggins, & Ryan (2006)

What do we know about recruitment?  Inaccurate perceptions regarding school psychologists’ roles: undergraduate psychology majors reported that clinical psychologists engage in individual therapy, assessment, consultation, and research significantly more than school psychologists. nearly 50% of students who reported being likely to apply to a clinical psychology graduate program expressed a desire to work with children and families as their reason for choosing the clinical psychology discipline. (Gilman & Handwerk, 2001)

What do we know about recruitment?  Much of undergraduate students’ knowledge of school psychology comes from direct contact with someone working in the field or through meeting someone who has had such contact. (Gilman & Handwerk, 2001)

What do we know about recruitment?  Survey on factors that influence students to pursue graduate training in school psychology 307 NASP student members 92.2% wanted to work with children The majority wanted to work in public schools (work schedule, salary, and job stability) undergraduate university had a graduate program in school psychology psychology or education faculty member influential in their career choices Graves & Wright (2007)

Current Methods - Survey Results Faculty/Trainer Survey (78) -Survey developed from focus group of five school psychology trainers. -Sent to school psychology trainers via trainer’s listserv. -Majority of training programs actively recruit candidates. -Primary means are Website and Brochure.

Current Methods - Survey Results

Student Survey (375)‏ -Developed from focus group of 1 st and 2 nd year school psychology graduate students. -Sent to trainer listserv and distributed to students. -Approx. 25% of respondents learned of program through alumni/candidate. -Approx. 50% responded that current students are not involved in recruiting new students.

Current Methods - Survey Results

Current Methods – Focus Groups What is a Focus Group?

Current Methods – Focus Groups  Group 1: 13 first year EUP students 9 women (69%) 4 men (31%)  Group 2: 8 second year EUP students All women (100%)  Group 3: 32 students from 7 school psychology graduate programs (conducted at ASPP conference)

Recruiting Overview  Develop Program Brochure  Develop PowerPoint for Presentation  Identify Undergraduate Organizations  Develop Database & Contact Gatekeepers  Present PowerPoint & Lead Discussion  Provide Brochures & Contact Information  Encourage Contact with Program Heads  Arrange Interview with Program Head

Program Brochure  Role of School Psychologist  Graduate Demographics/Locations  Highlights of the Program - Degree Offered- Accreditation - Duration - Evening/Online Courses - Tuition Information- Salary Information  Contact Information Program Website Program Heads Graduate Office

PowerPoint Presentation  Role of a school psychologist Assessment Consultation Prevention Intervention  Nat'l Demographics  Career Opportunity Shortages Salary Comparison  Training Options Specialist v. Doctorate  School Psych at EUP Course Schedule Online Courses Evening Classes Assistantships  How to Apply Program Website Interview

Undergraduate Database ‏  Identify Undergraduate Universities  Visit Psychology Program's Website Identify Gatekeepers  Collect Faculty Information Title Within the Program Address Office Phone Number  Create Database Call Log Log

Undergraduate Organizations  Psychology Clubs Presentation Discussion  Psi Chi Organizations Presentation Discussion  Psychology Majors Open Invitation – Fliers, , W-O-M  Psychology Department Display Brochure

Frequently Asked Questions  Difference Between: School Psych & School Counselor School Psych & Child Psychologist  Day in the Life – School Psychologist Hours, Location, Office, etc.  Duration of the Program  Where is Edinboro? (Relocation Concerns) ‏  Finances…

Baseline Data - Undergraduate GPA

Baseline Data – Test Scores

Questions