Student Doctor Network Forums - View Single Post - School psychology -- still an in-demand field?

Member 417612 · 06-01-2012, 12:07 PM

Going back to the credentialing thing, I have worked as a school psych in Illinois and will be moving to TX for PhD school psych program. In Illinois you have to be certified to work as a school psych. Only doctorates can get licensure to work in private practice. I don't know much about The Chicago School other than that they offer a "licensure" and "non-licensure" option for their EdD School Psychology program...whatever that means. But you are not just automatically granted licensure in general in Illinois...nor are you automatically granted certification upon completing any type of school psychology program. There are two tests that students have to take to be eligible for certification in Illinois. One is a general basic skills test which I found to be pretty easy, actually, and I believe is required of all educators. The second test was specific to school psychology. I have a Type 73 School Service Personnel with endorsement in School Psychology. (I am also nationally certified.)

I mentioned that I was moving to TX. Texas is the only state I believe where school psychologists are licensed, not certified. Even though I am technically not "licensed" per se in Illinois, it would not take much for me to become an LSSP in Texas. Paperwork, references, fees, for the most part. Probably more had I not had the NCSP. There isn't anything "magical" about the LSSP (licensed specialist in school psychology) compared to certification. The difference in terminology has to do with the credentialing body. Texas is the only state where school psychologists are credentialed by the Board of Psychology, rather than the state board of education.

06-01-2012, 12:07 PM	#45
Member 417612 Junior Member Status Psychology Student Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 5	Going back to the credentialing thing, I have worked as a school psych in Illinois and will be moving to TX for PhD school psych program. In Illinois you have to be certified to work as a school psych. Only doctorates can get licensure to work in private practice. I don't know much about The Chicago School other than that they offer a "licensure" and "non-licensure" option for their EdD School Psychology program...whatever that means. But you are not just automatically granted licensure in general in Illinois...nor are you automatically granted certification upon completing any type of school psychology program. There are two tests that students have to take to be eligible for certification in Illinois. One is a general basic skills test which I found to be pretty easy, actually, and I believe is required of all educators. The second test was specific to school psychology. I have a Type 73 School Service Personnel with endorsement in School Psychology. (I am also nationally certified.) I mentioned that I was moving to TX. Texas is the only state I believe where school psychologists are licensed, not certified. Even though I am technically not "licensed" per se in Illinois, it would not take much for me to become an LSSP in Texas. Paperwork, references, fees, for the most part. Probably more had I not had the NCSP. There isn't anything "magical" about the LSSP (licensed specialist in school psychology) compared to certification. The difference in terminology has to do with the credentialing body. Texas is the only state where school psychologists are credentialed by the Board of Psychology, rather than the state board of education. Last edited by madpsych78; 06-01-2012 at 12:14 PM.