How to Become a School Psychologist
School psychologists help children and their parents deal with behavioral and mental health issues. These professionals work in elementary and secondary schools or school district offices. School psychologists are trained in both education and psychology. Their main goal is to ensure that students have the chance to learn in a safe and supportive environment.
School Psychologist
If you plan to become a school psychologist, you should have an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in psychology or education. Keep in mind that most states require that candidates hold a specialist degree or master’s degree in school psychology, psychology or counseling. You can earn a specialist degree (EdS) in school psychology through roughly 3 years of graduate study in education and psychology (at least 60 semester hours), followed by a one-year internship.
Nowadays you have a chance to continue your education by earning a doctoral degree in school psychology, education or special education. These programs usually last 3-5 years.
It’s very important to underline that every state requires that professionals in this field be certified and/or licensed to practice school psychology. The National Association of School Psychologists offers national certification, which consists of completion of a master’s program (60 semester hours) and a supervised 1200-hour internship. After that one should pass the National School Psychology Examination.
Online/Distance Programs in School Psychology
Capella University – The Harold Abel School of Psychology – Online
- Counseling Psychology,
- Educational Psychology,
- School Counseling,
- School Psychology
Kaplan University – School of Arts and Sciences – Online
- Child Development
- General Psychology
- Psychology
Walden University – Online
- Child Development,
- Psychology
Alabama
University of Phoenix – Birmingham – Various Locations
- Psychology,
- School Counseling
Arizona
Argosy University – Phoenix – The American School of Professional Psychology Graduate Programs – Phoenix
- Psychology,
- School Psychology
California
Chicago School of Professional Psychology – LA – Los Angeles
- Child and Adolescent Psychology
Phillips Graduate Institute – Encino
- School Counseling/PPS Credential
University of Phoenix – Central Valley – Various Locations
- Psychology,
- School Counseling
Colorado
University of Phoenix – Various Locations
- Psychology,
- School Counseling
Florida
Argosy University – Sarasota
Campuses: Sarasota, Tampa
- Counseling Psychology,
- School Counseling,
- School Psychology,
- Psychology
Hawaii
Argosy University – Hawai’i – The American School of Professional Psychology Graduate Programs – Honolulu
- Counseling Psychology,
- Psychology
Illinois
Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Chicago
Campuses: Chicago, Grayslake
- Child & Adolescent,
- Counseling,
- School Psychology,
- Psychology
Massachusetts
Assumption College – Graduate School – Worcester
- Counseling Psychology,
- School Counseling
Nevada
University of Phoenix – Las Vegas – Various Locations
- Psychology,
- School Counseling
New Jersey
College of Saint Elizabeth – Morristown
- Counseling Psychology,
- Licensed Professional Counselor,
- Psychology,
- School Counseling
New Mexico
University of Phoenix – New Mexico – Various Locations
- Counseling,
- Psychology,
- School Counseling
Texas
Argosy University – Dallas – The American School of Professional Psychology Graduate Programs – Farmers Branch
- Psychology,
- School Psychology
Utah
University of Phoenix – Utah – Various Locations
- Psychology,
- School Counseling
Virginia
Marymount University – School of Education and Human Services – Arlington
- School Counseling
Featured Online Programs
- MS - Educational Psychology - Capella University
- MA/Psych - Educational Leadership - University of the Rockies
- MS Psychology - Educational Psychology - Walden University
- EdD - Educational Psychology - California Coast University
- PhD Psychology - Educational Psychology - Walden University
- PhD Psychology - Educational Track - Walden University
- PsyD - Educational Leadership - University of the Rockies
- PhD - Educational Psychology - Capella University
Child psychologists can choose to work for a school district. Finally, they can go into private practice. A master’s or PhD. degree allows a psychology student to specialize in child psychology.
Argosy University offers the online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program with concentration in industrial-organizational psychology. It’s a solution to working professionals who are unable to earn their degrees in a campus setting.
It is true that a bachelor degree is the first step on the way to become successful psychologist. It is also true that a masters degree in psychology is the next step. A master’s degree, roughly speaking, is a degree of a specialist who works in a specific area of psychology: Family Counseling School Psychology Sports Psychology Clinical Psychology Industrial-Organizational Business
If you want to become an alcoholism counselor, you will need to complete a master’s degree in counseling. Alcohol counselors are trained to recognize the physical and social effects of alcohol addiction. Alcohol counselors may be certified through a number of organizations.
Argosy University offers the Master of Arts (MA) in Sport Psychology program. This degree program is part of Argosy University’s American School of Professional Psychology. The goals of the program include developing student competencies in the following areas: theoretical foundations, helping relationships, individual and group skills, normal and abnormal behavior, sport sciences, research and evaluation,
