Selections from:
A Complete Guide to the Advanced Study in and the Profession of School Psychology
by Erin Marie Morgan Ohio Wesleyan University
(this text was scanned and may contain some typographical errors.)

What is the nature of work of a school psychologist?
School psychologists have many responsibilities. One responsibility is that they do consultations, which involve collaboration with teachers, parents and school personnel about learning, social, emotional and behavior problems. Another responsibility is that they provide educational programs on classroom management strategies, parenting skills, substance abuse, teaching and learning strategies. A third responsibility is that they do research to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management procedures and other services provided in schools. A fourth function is that they do assessment, working with parents and teachers. They use many techniques to evaluate academic skills, social skills, self-help skills, personality and emotional development, etc. They also do interventions where they work with students and their families and help solve conflicts related to learning and adjustment. During the interventions, they also provide psychological counseling, social skills training, behavior management, etc. Finally, school psychologists work with school and community-based personnel to provide a comprehensive model of school-linked health services. They work with children and families to provide integrated community services that focus on psychosocial wellness and health-related issues. Furthermore, they develop partnerships with parents and teachers to create healthy school environments (National Association of School Psychologists).

What courses should one take as an undergraduate if he/she wants to go to graduate school in school psychology?
As you will see, just about every program wants individuals to have at least fifteen hours in psychology. Classes that are often recommended by schools are: Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, Exceptional Child (or the psychology of children with disabilities), Psychology of Abnormal Behavior, Counseling and Psychotherapy, Social Psychology, Personality and Assessment, Statistics, Learning, Cognitive Psychology.

What roles can school psychologists play in alternative settings?
There are many other places where a school psychologist can use his/her skills. One place is at a university as a faculty member. An individual choosing this setting could teach undergraduate or graduate courses in related fields of psychology, education, special education, or guidance counseling.

A second option could be applying school psychological roles and functions to the college-aged student. These psychologist would serve those who utilized school psychologists in elementary and high school and help these students with their transition to college by consulting with other faculty members about classroom accommodations and acting as advocates for students with disabilities. They may also help these students with the admission process and provide any additional assessment services. School psychologists who are employed by junior or four-year colleges and universities may also provide preventive activities, promotion of positive mental health, career planning stress management and crisis intervention.

A third option would be to work in a position with a medical school or with medical personnel. Shellenberger (1988) suggest that school psychologists could be most helpful to family physicians by acting as psychological, educational and research consultants. A school psychologist could also act as a liaison between physicians, families and schools in meeting the needs of children who are chronically ill with such conditions as cancer, AIDS, etc.

Another option for school psychologists would be to won within resiential and day treatment facilities. Those working in these types of settings may be involved in assessment intervention, consultation, education and evaluations as well as managerial and administrative functions.

A fifth option for employment would be acting as an assistant to a pediatrician. Wodrich (1988) explained that parents are often asking pediatricians about behavior problems readiness for school, etc. and school psychologists could assist with answering such questions.

A sixth option would be to seek employment in a community mental health center. Conoley (1989) suggest that school psychologists working in this setting would be particularly helpful in performing family consultation, parent training and family therapy.

Finally, another option would be to work in private-practice (Fagan & Wise, 1994).

Who is served by school psychologists?
School psychologists serve all 15,000 local education agencies in all states and territories. They serve all children and families within those school districts. They also serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers in special programs, Head Start, and other settings. School psychological services are one of the many related services available to students with disabilities, who need special education services. Title I and other titles of the 1994 Improving America's Schools Act also designate school psychologists as one of the pupil service
(National Association of School Psychologists).

Before looking for a graduate program consider:
*To become a school psychologist, you will need to complete a graduate school program that awards a degree (Master's, Specialist and/or Doctorate) specifically in school psychology
*To enroll in graduate studies, you will need to have your Bachelor's degree and those undergraduate prerequisites required by the program(s) of your choice
*Most school psychology training programs include both academic courses and supervised fieldwork to prepare you in both professional knowledge and skills
*To work as a school psychologist, you must be certified or licensed by the state in which you work. Employment in a public school setting generally requires certification by the State Department of Education. Private schools, community agencies, hospitals, clinics or private practice may require licensure by the State Board of Psychology. To become a university professor in school psychology, you usually have to earn a doctorate.
(National Association of School Psychologists)

Questions to ask when investigating school psychology programs
-Is the program approved by NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) and/or APA (American Psychological Association)? Does the program and its internship meet the national standards for training?
-When is the program's application deadline and what are its admission and prerequisite requirements?
-What are the program's philosophy, orientation, and goals?
-Does every student completing program courses and fieldwork receive an internship? If not, what is the student placement rate?
-Does the program arrange for the internship placement; if not, how is it arranged?
-Are the internships paid and, if so, what is the range and average stipend?
-Does the program offer financial assistance? How much? What kind? For how long a period of time?
-How many faculty are assigned full-time to the program and do they hold doctoral degrees in school psychology?
-Do program faculty have prior and continuing experiences in school psychology? Are they active members of state and national professional organizations?
-Where are graduates of the program employed? How can I talk with some students who are in and/or have recently completed the program?
(National Association of School Psychologists)

Resources and References
Fagan, T. K,. & Wise, P. S. (1994). School Psychology: Past, present and Future. New York: Longman.
Phillips, B. N. (1990). School psychology at a Turning point:
Ensuring a Bright Future for the Profession. San Francisco:
Woody, R. H., LaVoie, J. C., & Epps, 5. (1992). School psychology: A Developmental and Social Systems Approach. Boston: Allyn & Bacon
Journals:
-Journal of School Psychology
-School Psychology Review
-School Psychology Quarterly
-Psychology in the Schools
-International School Psychology
(National Association of School Psychologists)

Write:
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5500

National Association of School Psychologists
4340 East West Highway
Suite 402
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-0270

41st Annual Conference

Preventing Academic and Behavioral Problems in Children: Rethinking Interventions for Schools

Friday,
May 4th, 2008

info & registration

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