Psychology in the School System

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Psychology in the School System

• Careers in Educational School Psychology

By Morgan Grotewiel
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Education and Careers

• Educational Psychology
• School Psychology
• Other closely-related fields
• School psychological examiner
• School guidance counselor
• School social worker

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Educational Psych vs. School Psych

• Educational
• Psychologists
• Researchers and theorists
• Study how students learn and develop
• Often focus on subgroups, such as gifted students
  or students with disabilities
• Usually work with other academics, school
  administrators, and teachers

• School
• Psychologists
• Practitioners in school or school-related
  settings
• Apply principles of clinical psychology and
  educational psychology
• Address the needs of students facing educational,
  emotional, social, and behavioral challenges
• Usually work with students as well as with school
  administrators and teachers

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Education for Educational Psychology

• A graduate degree (MA, MS, M.Ed, Ed.S, PhD, PsyD,
  or Ed.D) in Educational Psychology or in a
  closely-related field is required. A doctoral
  degree is recommended.
• Educational Psychology graduate programs are
  usually housed in education departments and are
  occasionally housed in psychology departments.

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Careers in Educational Psychology

• In a university setting, Educational
  Psychologists may conduct research on the
  cognitive and social processes of human
  development, learning, and education. They may
  teach in departments of education or psychology.
• In a school setting, Educational Psychologists
  may work as consults in designing curriculum,
  educational materials, classroom programs, and
  crisis intervention strategies.

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Education for School Psychology

• A Specialist (Ed.S) or Doctoral (PhD, PsyD, Ed.D)
  Degree in School Psychology or a closely-related
  field is required. An Ed.S is considered the most
  appropriate level of training needed for an
  entry-level School Psychologist.
• School Psychology graduate programs are usually
  housed in education departments and are
  occasionally housed in psychology departments.

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Careers in School Psychology

• In a school setting, School Psychologists conduct
  psychological and educational assessments and
  develop individualized success programs for
  students. They are actively involved in district
  and school crisis intervention teams. They advise
  teachers on other personnel on how to best
  approach students with psychological conditions
  and learning disorders.

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Careers in School Psychology

• Many School Psychologists, especially in smaller
  towns, dont work solely within the school
  system. School Psychologists, particularly those
  with doctoral degrees, may also practice in
  clinics, hospitals, forensic settings,
  correctional facilities, universities, and
  private practices.

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School Psychological Examiner

• A Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology,
  Educational Psychology, School Counseling, or
  Education is required.
• School Psychological Examiners administer and
  interpret standardized tests that measure
  cognitive and academic abilities or that describe
  behavior, personality traits, attitude, or
  aptitude. They use the results of these tests to
  determine students eligibility for special
  education or gifted programs, to determine
  placement, or to provide occupational guidance to
  students.

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School Guidance Counselor

• A Masters Degree in Education, School
  Counseling, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or
  a closely-related mental health discipline is
  required. School Guidance Counselors must also
  have a Bachelors Degree in Education or complete
  a curriculum in teaching methods and practices.
• School Guidance Counselors advise students on
  academic, career, college preparation, and
  personal and social competencies. They may also
  meet with troubled students and/or their
  families. Additional duties vary depending upon
  the setting in which a School Guidance Counselor
  works (Elementary, Middle, High, or Alternative
  School).

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School Social Worker

• A Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) is
  required in most states, but some states certify
  individuals with a Bachelors Degree in Social
  Work (BSW).
• School Social Workers work with students with
  social and emotional difficulties, as well as
  with their parents. School Social Workers may act
  as mediators, negotiators, consultants, and
  advocates for both students and school personnel.

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Any Questions?