Careers in Psychology

School psychologists concern themselves with the intellectual, educational, social, and emotional development of children. They are also concerned with creating an environment that facilitates learning and mental health. They may work with students, teachers, parents, and administrators to resolve student's learning and behavioral problems. They may evaluate and plan programs for children with special needs or deal with less severe problems such as disruptive behavior in the classroom. They are frequently assigned to diagnostic and remedial work and to issues associated with preventive and developmental psychology. Other school psychologists work almost entirely with children who have proven to be a problem to themselves or to others and who have been referred for help by teachers or other members of the school system.

School psychologists can be found at universities, training students to become school psychologists or conducting research. Some school psychologists even work in private practice. In order to be employed as a school psychologist in a given state, one must have completed a training program approved by the state. Many states require a master's degree and a minimum of 60 semester hours of course work to become certified as a school psychologist. School psychologists at the doctoral-level are mostly employed in school settings or in university training programs. Individuals with doctoral-level training may find themselves performing administrative and supervisory services in school settings.