How to Become a School Psychologist

A school psychologist works within an elementary or secondary school setting. Their duties include administering school-related psychological tests, working with students to ensure optimum educational opportunities through special education or related classes and working with parents and teachers to resolve in-class student problems. School psychology is a highly specialized field with strict regulations for entering the profession.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Apply to a graduate program awarding a Master's, Specialist or doctoral degree in school psychology.
2. Fulfill any necessary prerequisites for the graduate program to which you have applied. This may include taking the GRE or having a Bachelor's degree in a certain field of study.
3. Complete the necessary coursework in your program. The standard minimal requirement for licensure is 60 completed graduate hours, so if your graduate program doesn't meet your state's licensure requirements then it may be necessary to complete supplementary graduate hours.
4. Participate in a supervised internship for the duration of one academic year. This should include a minimum of 1200 clock hours, with at least 600 of those hours taking place in a school setting.
5. Take the requisite examinations to meet licensure guidelines. This varies by state but may include the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, the PRAXIS Series II exam or state-specific exams.
6. Find out any other certification or licensure requirements specific to your state and fulfill these in addition to the base requirements.

Tips & Warnings

• Some states require you to have a doctorate before practicing under the title School Psychologist. Master's level psychologists may be designated as "Psychological Technician," "Psychological Associate" or other similar title.
• Many states accept fulfillment of the NCSP (Nationally Certified School Psychologist) criteria in lieu of state requirements to practice as a school psychologist. This includes the 60-hour graduate program with internship and a minimum score of 660 on the PRAXIS exam.

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