Just a note, I don't believe that specialist degree school psychologists are limited to PUBLIC schools. Certainly in NYC they can work in private schools as well, and I was under the impression that was true in most (if not all) places. Of course individual private schools may choose to only hire doctoral level practioners.
Also, I don't think that it's correct to say that it's rare for doctoral level school psycholoigsts to work in schools. According to employment stats, working in schools is still quite common, as is working in academia, with other options being much less common.
Also, I don't think that it's correct to say that it's rare for doctoral level school psycholoigsts to work in schools. According to employment stats, working in schools is still quite common, as is working in academia, with other options being much less common.
School psychologist - Need a master's/specialist degree. Mainly restricted to practice in the public schools (though some states allow you to practice in other settings).
Psychologist - Need a doctoral degree in school psychology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or industrial/organizational psychology. If you get a doctoral degree in school psychology, you can practice in the public schools, but this is rare. Instead, most doctoral-level school psychologists have a career in research, academia, or in an environment outside of the public schools.