what does a school psychologist do? 

What Does A School Psychologist Do? 

As school psychologists we are part of the educational team for all students within a school district.  Our exact roles are always changing, as each student is unique and may require different types of support.  Primarily, as school psychologists our job is to help students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.  We collaborate with teachers, parents, administrators, and other professionals to ensure that all students have access to a safe and supportive learning environment.

During the Instructional Support phase we work with teachers to develop interventions to help a student experience success in the classroom.  During the evaluation process we work one-on-one with students to gather more information regarding their strengths and weaknesses in the areas of academic achievement, cognition, behavior, and social-emotional functioning.  A School Psychologist may also work with students one-on-one or in small groups to address issues such as homework completion, study skills, bullying, and/or self-esteem.

In order to become a school psychologist one must complete a minimum of a specialist-level degree program (at least 60 graduate semester hours) that includes a year-long supervised internship.  School Psychology programs provide a strong background in psychology and education including child development, learning, behavior, curriculum and instruction, assessment, consultation, counseling, and school law. 

For more information about the role of the School Psychologist see the brochure below or click on the link to the left!