School psychologists use their expertise in mental health to give students the academic, social, and emotional support they need to succeed in school

What will I be doing all day?

School psychologists use their expertise in mental health to give students the academic, social, and emotional support they need to succeed in school; they also support educators’ ability to teach.

Responsibilities include:

conducting assessments of students’ academic and emotional abilities

providing therapeutic intervention to individual students

consulting with teachers, parents, and administrators about students’ behavioral issues

assisting educators in establishing safe and healthy classroom environments

guiding parents in dealing with their children’s issues

serving as a member of an interdisciplinary educational team dealing with the needs of students with disabilities

Do I have the personality for it?

A good school psychologist is patient, nonjudgmental, perceptive, analytical, and a critical thinker. Strong interpersonal skills and compassion for others is essential, as well as good written communication skills for report writing. A psychologist must have a strong sense of ethics and respect for clients’ confidentiality.

What kind of schooling do I need?

To work as a school psychologist, a master’s degree is required, which includes 60-66 graduate level credits and a 1,200-hour internship. Many programs also offer doctoral degrees in school psychology, which enables one to practice as a private practitioner, an administrator, or serve on a university faculty or research team.

What will my work environment be like?

The majority of school psychologists work in school settings, whether public or private. There are also options to work in community agencies, hospitals, clinics, universities, or in private practice.

What can I expect to make?

Many districts pay school psychologists on the same salary scale as teachers, which means salaries vary greatly according to state and district.

The average national salary: $65,000

Salary range, depending on years of experience and coursework beyond a master’s degree: $60,000–$140,000