- Collect and analyze data
- Conduct psychological and academic assessments
- Monitor and effectively communicate with parents about student progress
- Consult and collaborate with school personnel
- Provide academic/learning, mental health, and behavioral interventions
- Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities
- Modify and adapt curricula and instruction
- Assess school climate and improve school connectedness
- Plan services at the district, building, classroom, and individual levels
- Provide crisis prevention and intervention services
- Complete a Bachelor’s degree. While there is no required major, many students major in education, psychology, or child development. Some graduate programs may have pre-requisite courses.
- Complete a specialist level degree program in School Psychology (at least 60 graduate semester hours)
OR
- Complete a doctoral degree in School Psychology (at least 90 graduate semester hours)
Note* School Psychologists must be credentialed in the state in which they practice. Most State Education Agencies specify the requirements to practice as a school psychologist in that state. For more information please visit https://www.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/state-school-psychology-credentialing-requirements
School Psychologists must:
- complete either a specialist-level (at least 60 graduate semester hours) OR doctoral degree program in School Psychology (at least 90 graduate semester hours)
- complete a year-long 1,200-1,500 hour supervised internship
- Pass state specified examination
- Complete state specified application
Note* Each State Education Agency (SEA), except for Texas and Hawaii, specifies the requirements to practice as a school psychologist in that state. It is imperative that you explore requirements from each state. For more information please visit
Note* Currently over 30 states recognize the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential as meeting or partially meeting requirements for the state school psychologist credential. For more information visit https://www.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/national-certification/why-become-an-ncsp
The median salary of School Psychologists is $63,000. Salaries vary by years of experience and U.S. region (Walcott & Hyson, 2018).
American Board of Professional Psychology. (2019). School Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.abpp.org/Applicant-Information/Specialty-Boards/School-Psychology.aspx
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2019). Psychologists. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm
National Association of School Psychologists. (2019). State school psychology credentialing requirements. Retrieved from https://www.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/state-school-psychology-credentialing-requirements
National Association of School Psychologists. (2019). Who are school psychologists. Retrieved from https://www.nasponline.org/about-school-psychology/who-are-school-psychologists
National Association of School Psychologists. (2019). Why become an NCSP. Retrieved from https://www.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/national-certification/why-become-an-ncsp
Walcott, C.M. & Hyson, D. (2018). Results from the NASP membership survey part one: demographics and employment conditions.
