A career in school psychology offers a chance to make a meaningful impact, whether that be supporting students or influencing systematic changes within the public education system. At The Chicago School, we offer advanced graduate level school psychology degree programs: an Ed.S. School Psychology and a Psy.D. School Psychology. Both programs are offered at our flagship Chicago campus, are accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and offer a path to pursue licensure as a professional psychologist. The Psy.D. program is also accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and can offer students the opportunity to pursue licensure as a clinical psychologist. Learn more about the different career opportunities available within school psychology, and how The Chicago School programs can help you enter the field to address educational challenges and promote mental health.
To what career paths can a degree in School Psychology lead?
Most students with a graduate degree in school psychology pursue a career as a school psychologist or an administrative position in district or state-level education roles.
School Psychologist
School psychologists work with students, teachers, and families to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues. Post-assessment, they will provide coping strategies for the students to work through any learning challenges they are facing. They make a difference every day in the lives of the children they help. By providing learning intervention plans in school, teachers and aides can best meet the student’s individual needs and help them achieve their learning goals. School psychologists also work closely with parents and family members to provide intervention strategies to utilize at home.
A large part of a school psychologist’s role is to understand child development while being highly trained in evaluation, research, assessment, and intervention. The Chicago School’s school psychology programs have many courses that address these strategies and teach students specialized knowledge. For example, the Crisis Prevention, Intervention, and Trauma Informed Practice in Schools course teaches students how to be proactive in identification, assessment, and intervention for trauma-informed practice. Graduates will be prepared for crisis preparedness, prevention, and intervention in their schools, which will positively impact the students school-wide.
School Administrator
If you’re looking to make systemic changes within school psychology, there are opportunities for a leadership role within school administration and district leadership. Career paths include school principal, assistant principal, or school district administrator. Being able to use a school psychology educational background to affect school administrative policies, whether that be within one school, district, or state-wide, can be an extremely powerful tool for effecting positive change.
The Chicago School’s school psychology programs prepare students to inspire communities to bring about positive change, plan preventive services, and enhance both educational and psychological problem-solving at all levels. Students are prepared for this role with specialized courses such as the Systems Theory and Practice course, which teaches the concepts of educational reform and systems change, particularly within school psychology. For practicing school psychologists who want to gain leadership skills, The Chicago School’s Certificate in Organizational Leadership online program can be a great way to gain knowledge as well as stand out in a school administration job search.
What is the job outlook for a degree in School Psychology?
There is currently a school psychologist shortage in the U.S. and a growing need for experienced professionals in the field. Employment for psychologists is projected to grow by 7% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average employment rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With many school psychologists reaching retirement age and growing awareness of mental health issues in schools, the demand for professionals in this field is increasing.
What is the difference between an Ed.S. and a Psy.D. in School Psychology?
Ed.S.: An Ed.S. is an Education Specialist degree, which is designed for those looking for a post-master’s advanced expertise without the commitment of a doctoral program. An Ed.S. prepares students for high-level roles within educational settings. NASP-approved programs, like The Chicago School’s Ed.S., qualify students to pursue licensure as a licensed professional psychologist.
Psy.D.: A Psy.D. is a psychology doctorate degree that prepares students for clinical practice. The curriculum of a Psy.D. School Psychology will include specialized courses and a real-world fieldwork practicum. The Psy.D. at The Chicago School combines the NASP-approved curriculum of the Ed.S. with additional coursework, internship, dissertation requirements, as well as prepares students to pursue licensure as a licensed professional psychologist or clinical psychologist.
Effect positive change with a School Psychology career
Whether you’re helping students reach their full potential or putting policies into place to effect change from the administration level, a career in school psychology can be extremely rewarding. If this career path is something you are interested in, an advanced degree in school psychology would be a great investment, as the career outlook continues to grow. Learn more about our flagship campus and what gaining your graduate degree in school psychology would look like in Chicago. Connect with us today.