School Psychologist

School psychologists, like you, provide in-depth psychological services to students ranging from elementary school to college age and support them. With your focus on helping students succeed academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally, we’re here to help you grow and succeed in your career.

If you’re a school psychologist looking for a school-based travel job, Blazer Jobs can help you find open positions in schools around the country.

School Psychologist Responsibilities

School psychologists work with a wide range of students, including those who experience problems at home, bullying, or have mental health issues or other disabilities.

In addition to working one-on-one with students, school psychologists collaborate with counselors, teachers, and parents to monitor student progress and plan and implement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) when needed. They often act as an intermediary between parents and educators to help them understand the unique needs of the students under their care and how to ensure these needs are met.

They work in a wide range of settings, including elementary schools, high schools and colleges. Specific responsibilities vary depending on the facility and student population and may include the following:

• Perform psychological tests and evaluations
• Work with a collaborative team of teachers, students, and counselors to support student’s IEPs
• Teach and reinforce prosocial behaviors through goal-setting, role-playing, and positive reinforcement
• Provide individual and/or group counseling
• Educate and monitor teachers and administration to ensure the school is following appropriate protocols
• Perform crisis intervention and grief counseling when necessary
• Meet with parents to provide updates and discuss issues occurring in the home that may affect student performance or emotional well-being
• Provide training and workshops to parents and teachers about common issues facing students, like bullying
• Contact pediatricians, therapists, and social workers in the community when appropriate to support students’ health and progress
• Conduct conflict resolution and settle disputes between students when problems arise

School Psychologist Job Requirements

The first step to becoming a school psychologist is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a related field, like psychology or education, and then complete a master’s degree. There are multiple graduate programs to consider, but the one you choose must be approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to be eligible for licensure.

The next step is to attain a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) certification from the NASP. To do so, you must first complete an approved graduate-level program and an internship and pass the Praxis II exam in school psychology. While this certification is voluntary, many states require it or accept it in place of other licensure requirements, meaning it is a good option to consider if you plan to work as a traveling psychologist.

To practice as a school psychologist, you must also get state certification in the state where you wish to work. Some states have licensing requirements similar to NCSP certification requirements, so you will only have to prove that you are NCSP certified to get licensed. You can get a license without an NCSP certification, but you will have to provide proof of Praxis II scores, graduate degree, and internship experience. Thirty-three states currently accept or recognize the NCSP credential as meeting or partially meeting state licensing requirements.

The school psychologist job outlook is good, especially since schools have grown more aware of the importance of mental health. Interested in learning more about our open roles? Reach out today to find your next assignment with Blazer Jobs.

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