1. A Career That Makes a Difference
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY:
A Career That
Makes a Difference
CORE SLIDE

2. If you want to … then … School Psychology could be the career for you!
Help children reach their potential
Promote children’s mental health
Work collaboratively with others
Have a variety of career options
CORE SLIDE
then … School Psychology could be the career for you!

3. Web addresses for more information

4. School Psychologists understand that all children learn when given:
Adequate supports and resources
Recognition of their individual needs
Opportunities to achieve
Cooperation between school and home
GENERAL SLIDE
Emphasize that all children can learn
Talk about ways you implement these necessary supports

5. School Psychologists link mental health to learning and behavior to promote:
High academic achievement
Positive social skills and behavior
Tolerance and respect for others
Competence, self-esteem, and resiliency
GENERAL SLIDE
How have you done this in your job or training?

6. Why Children Need School Psychologists
Learning difficulties
Behavior concerns
Helping students cope with family and life stressors
Depression and other mental health issues
Attention problems
Diverse populations with diverse needs
GENERAL SLIDE
Feel free to add other needs to the list
Any specific examples from your school(s) or students?
How have you handled Sept. 11th, war in Iraq, etc.?

7. What Do School Psychologists Do?
Assessment
Consultation
Prevention
Intervention
Staff development training
Research and program development
CORE SLIDE
If pressed for time, skip the individual slides on these roles (Slides 9-16) and just touch briefly on what the different areas listed here mean.

8. Where Do School Psychologists Work?
Public and private schools
Private practice
Colleges and universities
Institutional/residential facilities
Pediatric clinics and hospitals
Criminal justice system
GENERAL SLIDE
Note that schools can be urban, suburban, and rural
Have you worked in any alternative settings?

9. Who Are Today’s School Psychologists?
women
over 40 years of age
45% work in suburban school districts
30% work in urban school districts
25% work in rural school districts
CORE SLIDE

10. States With Most Serious Shortages
Alabama
Kentucky
Mississippi
Tennessee
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
GENERAL SLIDE
Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi also have large African American populations (as mentioned in previous slides), but there are disproportionately few African American SPs in the United States

11. Undergraduate Training
Must complete a Bachelor’s degree
Consider an education or psychology major
Take courses in
Child development
General and child psychology
Statistics, measurement, and research
Philosophy and theory of education
Instruction and curriculum
Special education
GENERAL SLIDE
Emphasize this slide when talking to high school students who have yet to choose college courses or a major
You may choose to omit this if speaking to undergraduates, particularly those who are already majoring in psychology or education

12. Graduate Training Degree Options
In most states, certification as a school psychologist requires training beyond the Master’s degree.
Specialist or Educational Specialist (EdS)
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Standing (CAGS)
Advanced Graduate Studies Certificate (AGS)
- or -
Doctorate (PhD, PsyD or EdD)
GENERAL SLIDE (You may choose to omit slides on graduate training for presentations to high school students)
Emphasize that EdS/CAGS/AGS are all essentially the same training, just different names at different institutions, and that they are all require more time and training than a Master’s degree
Master’s = 1 or 2 year, these degrees = 3 years
Explain why you chose to pursue the degree that you did.
What are the pros/cons of each degree?
You may choose discuss highlights of your own training.

13. How is the job market for School Psychologists?
Excellent both at present and long-term!
11 % increase is expected between 2008 and 2018 thanks to increased efforts to provide mental-health services to students
Not enough graduates to meet demand
Retirement will soon open many positions
School Psychology was named one of the “hot professions” for by US News and World Report
Also names 14th best career choices for 2012
CORE SLIDE
The link should bring you to the US News article
Are there job openings in your school system? Do you see jobs becoming available in your area?

14. What types of salaries do School Psychologists receive?
National average annual salary: $50,000
Doctoral level school psychologists on average earn about $5,000 more annually than Specialist level school psychologists
Salaries for school psychologists vary according to state and regional differences
Average salaries differ by state and geographical region. Come prepared with information about the state in which you are presenting, info available online at
Explain that although school psychologists appear to make more money than teachers, some work on teacher schedules whereas others work on a longer 12-month schedule (I.e., summers and some vacations) Explain how your schedule works

15. FAQ: How does a School Psychologist differ from a school counselor?
School Counselor (M.Ed.)
School Psychologist (Ed.S.)
Usually 2 yr grad school
At least 3 yrs grad school
Usually work in one school (specialized age group)
Often responsible for several schools (K-12) and can work in other settings
Course selection, career prep, district testing
Assessment, consultation, interventions, severe cases
This is a very common question!
You may want to explain how your role is different from the school counselor’s at your school.
Keep in mind that if you are speaking at a high school career event, there may be a school counselor in the audience!

16. FAQ: How does a school psychologist differ from a child psychologist?
School psychologists focus on how social emotional issues, family problems, neurological factors, and mental illness affect learning
Child clinical psychologists:
Usually work in a hospital, mental health center, private clinic, or university setting
Are not typically trained in education, instruction, or classroom management
Do not focus primarily on the multiple factors that affect learning
GENERAL SLIDE

17. My Contact Information
Dr. Holt –
Office – Jones Hall 312
Phone –