When choosing a career path in education, it’s essential to evaluate the prospective job market first. This is especially true if you are considering higher education. Graduate school involves a significant investment of time and money, so you want to make sure there are opportunities in the field.

If you’re interested in pursuing a school psychology career, keep reading to learn more about the outlook for this rewarding profession.

What is a School Psychologist?

While there are many different types of counseling careers, school psychologists play a unique role. School psychologists are mental health professionals who have a specialized understanding of childhood development, learning, and behavior. They use their expertise to support students’ well-being and improve their educational environments. 

School psychologists help students in the following areas of life:

• Academic – If children fall behind in class or exhibit signs of a learning disability, school psychologists provide them with academic support. 
• Emotional – Children of all ages experience tough emotions and go through challenging situations. A counseling psychologist offers kids a safe space to discuss their feelings and work through their problems. For many of these children, their school psychologist is the only mental health professional they’ll ever have access to.  
• Relational – School psychologists work to prevent bullying, mediate social tensions, and help children navigate increasingly complex social landscapes. 
• Behavioral – If a child is acting out, a school psychologist can evaluate them and develop a plan to address their behavior in collaboration with teachers, parents, and administrators. 

School Psychology Programs

What Do School Psychologists Do?

Depending on their place of work, school psychologists may spend most of their time:

• Holding one-on-one school counseling sessions with students
• Consulting with parents, teachers, and administrators
• Conducting student assessments
• Organizing school-wide prevention programs
• Arranging behavioral interventions

Using these tactics, school psychologists enhance their students’ development and improve their schools’ outcomes. 

Thinking of becoming a school psychologist? Learn about the different school psychology degrees and certificates at Alliant today!

Where Do School Psychologists Work?

Public schools employ the majority of school psychologists in the country. However, a school psychologist job also has a place in private schools, charter schools, colleges, and universities.

In addition to schools, school psychologists may also be qualified to work in:

• Mental health centers
• Community treatment centers
• Clinics
• Hospitals
• Juvenile justice programs 
• Private practices

Are School Psychologists in Demand?

Many schools have a vested interest in supporting their students emotionally, socially, and academically. Happy, healthy students may perform better with their course work and behave more appropriately during the school day. School psychologists can play an important role in achieving these objectives.

School psychologists are also often uniquely qualified to improve schools’ curriculum and learning environments. They can be a valuable asset to any educational institution that wants to upgrade its community. 

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What Is the Job Outlook for School Psychologists?

The job outlook for school psychologists is quite promising. Ddue to the current shortage of school psychologists.¹

To compound this shortage even further, many school psychologists are expected to retire in the next ten years. Thus, new job openings may be strong in the upcoming years. The next generation of school psychologists should enjoy a favorable job market.

If you’re wondering, “How much do school psychologists make?”--  it depends on a lot of factors.

What Factors Impact School Psychology Employment Opportunities?

Your job prospects may depend on a few factors. These include:

#1 Your Geographic Location

Depending on your city and state, the demand for school psychologists may differ.

You should research your state’s and city’s job markets. If your city is lacking school psychology jobs, another one nearby could have better options.

#2 Your Degree of Specialization

In addition to where you live, your job prospects may also depend on your degree of specialization. Here are some desirable traits that may help set you apart in the job market:

• Being bi-lingual – If you can improve your fluency in a second language, you may be able to differentiate yourself in an advantageous way. 
• Being culturally diverse – Similarly, having a well-rounded cultural background can help make you better-equipped to serve culturally diverse populations. Even if your personal background is not very diverse, traveling and volunteering abroad can expand your perspective and make you a better school psychologist. 
• Earning a doctorate – By getting a Doctorate in Educational Psychology, you will be trained to work in a broader range of school settings, be eligible to be considered for more advanced positions, and help make yourself more desirable to potential employers. You will also be able to consider opening your own private practice. 
• Taking specialized courses – There are many courses you can take to gain specialized knowledge in specific areas. For instance, the American Psychological Association provides continuing education courses on bullying prevention, classroom management, and improving learning practices. 

#3 Your Years of Experience in the Field

As with most careers, the more experience you have in the profession, the better your job prospects may be, and the more you can potentially earn. 

How to Become A School Psychologist

To land a position as a school psychologist, you need to get your education and licensure first.

Here’s the step-by-step process to getting employed as a school psychologist:

#1 Get Your Degrees and State Licensure

To practice as a school psychologist, you need to have a school psychologist credential and other proper qualifications first. Your graduate education, practicum experience, and credits earned from CEU Psychology if you have one, and practicum experience will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to satisfy your job requirements. 

The specific qualifications vary between states, but in general, you will need:

• A bachelor’s degree
• A master’s degree in school psychology
• A postgraduate specialist degree in education (Ed.S.)
• The state-required license and certification

While not required, a doctoral degree in educational psychology may also improve your job options. 

What Skills Do You Need to be a Good School Psychologist?

It helps to possess specific skills before committing to the field of school psychology. These can include:

• Active listening skills
• Complex problem-solving skills
• Time management skills
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with both children and adults
• Patience, flexibility, and empathy

#2 Network as a New School Psychologist

Once you’ve completed your preparation, finding a job is sometimes expedited by partaking in networking opportunities. There are a plethora of school psychologist conferences, networking websites, and national organizations that offer opportunities to connect you with potential employers. 

Some organizations to check out are:

• American Board of School Psychology (ABSP)
• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
• International School Psychology Association (ISPA)

Each of these organizations provides valuable resources for your professional development as a school psychologist. 

Psychology Programs Offered at Alliant

At Alliant, we offer several psychology degree programs to help provide you with the education you need for a successful career as a school psychologist. Below we’ll be highlighting three different school psychology programs that are offered all online 

Credential in Pupil Personnel Services, School Psychology

Our Credential in Pupil Personnel Services program teaches students how to help others during their most formative years of childhood. This credential program will educate you on several factors that are needed to be a school psychologist for children. You will have the opportunity to master the concepts of counseling, psychology, and other educational fields when studying this credential program at Alliant. 

MAE in School Psychology with Pupil Personnel Services Credential

Next on our list is our Master’s in School Psychology Online Degree program. Our master’s program provides students with all the essential skills and tools needed to succeed as a school counselor. Our courses teach students the foundational knowledge that will help guide and assist young learners both in and out of the classroom. 

PsyD in Educational Psychology

Take your career to the next level by enrolling in our PsyD in Educational Psychology program. With this higher education psychology program, you’ll be given the opportunity be among educational psychologists and to learn more about leadership, supervision, psychopharmacology, developmental psychopathology, and so much more. If you’re looking to make a difference in children’s personal and academic lives, our PsyD in Educational Psychology program can help you get to be an educational psychologist.

Alliant International University: Get Your School Psychology Degree 

Are you ready to start your school psychology career? If so, take a look at the master’s and doctoral programs at Alliant International University. 

Alliant’s California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) offers an accredited psychology program. During your school psychology program, you’ll explore the ins and outs of child development, general psychology, counseling theories, research methods, and much more. 

Whether you’d prefer to attend courses at one of our California campuses or learn online, Alliant is a great place to get your school psychology career off the ground. Check out Alliant's graduate psychology programs today. 

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Sources

1. “Shortages in School Psychology Resource Guide,” National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), accessed November 3, 2021, https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-pod….
2.  “Home : Occupational Outlook Handbook,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 15, 2021), https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.
3. “19-3031 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 31, 2021), https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193031.htm#(1). 
4. Entry Level School Psychologist Salary - Ziprecruiter.” Accessed November 3, 2021. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Entry-Level-School-Psychologist-S…;
5. “Psychologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, October 20, 2021), https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists….
6. “School Psychologist Salary - Ziprecruiter,” accessed November 3, 2021, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/School-Psychologist-Salary.