Who Are School Psychologists? School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.
What Training Do School Psychologists Receive? School psychologists receive specialized advanced graduate preparation that includes coursework and practical experiences relevant to both psychology and education. School psychologists typically complete either a specialist-level degree program (at least 60 graduate semester hours) or a doctoral degree (at least 90 graduate semester hours), both of which include a year-long 1200 hour supervised internship.
What Do School Psychologists Do? School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. They help schools successfully: Improve Academic Achievement Promote student motivation and engagement Conduct psychological and academic assessments Individualize instruction and interventions Manage student and classroom behavior Monitor student progress Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health Improve students communication and social skills Provide individual and group counseling Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience Promote positive peer relationships and social problem solving Assess diverse learning needs Provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities Create Safe, Positive School Climates Prevent bullying and other forms of violence Implement and promote positive discipline and restorative justice Provide crisis prevention and intervention services Strengthen Family–School Partnerships Connect families with community service providers when necessary
Why Do Children Need School Psychologists? All children and youth can face problems from time to time related to learning; social relationships; making difficult decisions; or managing emotions such as feeling depressed, anxious, worried, or isolated. School psychologists help students, families, educators, and members of the community understand and resolve both long-term, chronic problems and short-term issues that students may face. They are a highly skilled and ready resource in the effort to ensure that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and in life.