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School Psychologists
Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.
Other titles employers use
Autism Consultant · Bilingual School Psychologist · Challenging Behavior Consultant · Consulting Psychologist · Early Intervention School Psychologist · Educational Diagnostician · Learning Consultant · Psychologist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
- Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
- Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
- Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
- Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
- Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to helping, analytical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Education and Training
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Customer and Personal Service
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.2 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.0 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.0 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a master's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A doctorate or professional degree 54%
- A master's degree 46%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Word processing software
- Video conferencing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Computer based training software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 12,000
- Job openings each year
- 810
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 6.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 12,000 | 810 | 6.2% |
| Texas | 6,480 | 470 | 14.1% |
| Illinois | 3,930 | 260 | 2.3% |
| Florida | 3,030 | 220 | 13.5% |
| New Jersey | 2,870 | 190 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 2,330 | 160 | 10.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,200 | 140 | — |
| Colorado | 1,680 | 120 | 15.9% |
| Maryland | 1,510 | 110 | 11.0% |
| Wisconsin | 1,460 | 100 | 5.0% |
| Virginia | 1,380 | 90 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 1,240 | 90 | 9.7% |
| Michigan | 1,180 | 80 | — |
| Arizona | 1,130 | 80 | 4.6% |
| Tennessee | 1,060 | 80 | 16.5% |
| Connecticut | 1,020 | 70 | 5.2% |
| South Carolina | 940 | 70 | 9.3% |
| Minnesota | 890 | 60 | 3.5% |
| Oregon | 820 | 60 | 6.5% |
| Indiana | 750 | 50 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 710 | 50 | 9.2% |
| Kansas | 670 | 50 | 4.7% |
| Massachusetts | 650 | 50 | 12.1% |
| Nebraska | 610 | 40 | 5.2% |
| Utah | 610 | 50 | 17.3% |
| Iowa | 600 | 40 | 7.1% |
| New Mexico | 580 | 40 | 7.4% |
| Oklahoma | 550 | 40 | 5.8% |
| Kentucky | 500 | 30 | 2.0% |
| Delaware | 440 | 30 | 7.3% |
| West Virginia | 370 | 20 | 2.8% |
| Louisiana | 350 | 20 | 2.9% |
| District of Columbia | 330 | 20 | 6.5% |
| Alabama | 320 | 20 | 3.2% |
| New Hampshire | 280 | 20 | 3.7% |
| Nevada | 270 | 20 | 3.8% |
| Arkansas | 250 | 20 | 4.2% |
| Maine | 210 | 10 | — |
| Montana | 200 | 10 | 5.3% |
| Rhode Island | 200 | 10 | — |
| Mississippi | 160 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| North Dakota | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| South Dakota | 110 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Alaska | 70 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Degrees each year
- 537
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
University of California-San Diego
- Degrees each year
- 218
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Boston College
- Degrees each year
- 133
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Illinois Chicago
- Degrees each year
- 122
- Admit rate
- 79%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
California State University-Fresno
- Degrees each year
- 86
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
- Degrees each year
- 78
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Eastern Washington University
- Degrees each year
- 69
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Farmingdale State College
- Degrees each year
- 63
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Compare every college offering clinical, counseling and applied psychology