Occupation Description: Investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems.
What Do School Psychologists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.
- Refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, or social services.
- Provide educational programs on topics such as classroom management, teaching strategies, or parenting skills.
- Compile and interpret students’ test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
- Serve as a resource to help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss.
- Attend workshops, seminars, or professional meetings to remain informed of new developments in school psychology.
These are the skills School Psychologists say are the most useful in their careers:
- Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Education needed to be a School Psychologist:
What work experience do I need to become a School Psychologist?
Tools & Technologies Used by School Psychologists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many School Psychologists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Testing software
- Instructional software
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Behavioral Specialist
- Early Intervention School Psychologist
Are There Job Opportunities for School Psychologists?
There were about 147,500 jobs for School Psychologists in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.2%, which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 21,000 new jobs for School Psychologists by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 12,100 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for School Psychologists are Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maine, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
The salary for School Psychologists ranges between about $44,040 and $129,310 a year.
School Psychologists who work in California, Oregon, or Connecticut make the highest salaries.
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