Interested in School Psychology

[IokuA]

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I am currently majoring in Psychology and considering adding another major (so double major) in Psychology and HUman Relations. (If not Human Relations, then Communications, Criminology, or Business Administration...)

The reason I am choosing to double major is for the doors it opens for potential careers (and more doors equals greater job security and money potential... I am aware you don't make much being in Psychology.)

I am thinking I want to go for Masters or EDs in School Psychology. It interests me. My question is: Do you think there will be job oppurtunity in the future for it? Is it adequate to say salary is between 40 and 80k a year depending on where you live?

Also, could I become a licensed therapist after getting a masters in school psychology because I'd like to run my own practice on the side to help youth and broken family homes.

Edit to add: I also wanted to, after some year of experience, go and teach at a community college as I believe you can reach out the most to students who may not realize their potential for careers and life. Could I teach at a community college with this level degree and experience? (Say, 5 plus years experience)

 

[thepsychgeek]

I haven't heard of school psych people being licensed for therapy. The training you get for SP is different than the training for private practice. Why is it that you're planning on going into school psych? Because if you want to do school counseling, the degree and training are different (and enable you to do private practice, as far as I know).

 

[IokuA]

I enjoy observing kids and helping them out (and studying behavior and learning why they do things). I am aware counseling and school psychology are different. I am choosing School because I think it will be more in demand in the future and slightly more money.

 

[WestIndiPsych]

Hi Iokua,

You are right in that it is (or should I say will be even more so) in demand and the pay is higher. You will not be rich (unless you really work hard conducting assessments in private practice as a School Psych) but it will often be more than you would make in counseling. Ultimately, having your doctorate pays a a few thousand more in the schools not so much more than the masters sp, but waay more if you are involved in private practice and are successful at it. Remember you can only go into private practice as a School Psychologist when you have your doctorate (PhD or PsyD).

I am currently majoring in Psychology and considering adding another major (so double major) in Psychology and HUman Relations. (If not Human Relations, then Communications, Criminology, or Business Administration...)
The reason I am choosing to double major is for the doors it opens for potential careers (and more doors equals greater job security and money potential... I am aware you don't make much being in Psychology.)

You really don't but you have to do something you at least don't mind doing (psychological assessments with children and youth) and working with families which I LOVE.. Don't do this cause it's more in demand if you would hate doing what I mentioned..

I am thinking I want to go for Masters or EDs in School Psychology. It interests me. My question is: Do you think there will be job oppurtunity in the future for it? Is it adequate to say salary is between 40 and 80k a year depending on where you live?

Like I said, we need more school psychologists! I am currently a school psychologist Ed.S working on my doctorate and yes that is accurate depending on where you live. I know people making close to $60,000 in New York who are only on the specialist degree!
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Also, could I become a licensed therapist after getting a masters in school psychology because I'd like to run my own practice on the side to help youth and broken family homes.

Not with just a school psychology degree.. you would have to get certified in LPC or MFT if you want to stay at the masters level as a school psychologist AND do therapy privately. Otherwise, you can't do therapy. Short term counseling is becoming more and more common (depending on the district and how much time you have to do this) but nothing like therapy. Your job in the schools is often to refer children/families out for that.

Edit to add: I also wanted to, after some year of experience, go and teach at a community college as I believe you can reach out the most to students who may not realize their potential for careers and life. Could I teach at a community college with this level degree and experience? (Say, 5 plus years experience)

You could be an adjunct and at a community college you are more likely to get a teaching job as a masters level (Ed.S) school psychologist. If you want to be full-time, get tenured, teach/and or do research on a broader level at a university, you should go for your doctorate. Even if you don't get your doctorate in school, you can get your masters first and then let say get your doctorate in Counseling Psychology... You can fulfill your love for therapy and be able to teach if you want to PLUS still hold certification as a school psychologist. The world is your oyster!

You sound like you're headed in the right direction interms of defining your goals and what you want to do. Remember you learn more about yourself in college and even in the grad school process. Take it all one step at a time and you will be where you want to be, doing all you want to do.

 

[IokuA]

Thanks so much for your reply!

So, I would have to get a doctorate in School Psychology to be able to open my own practice? Does that mean I can provide therapy for youth and families?

I would like to get my doctorate, but figured I should get my Eds first before I go for doctorate.

 

[WestIndiPsych]

If you get a doctorate in School Psychology by itself, you'll be a Licensed Psychologist but with the school training you still can't provide therapy. Your private practice would be psych assessment based along with short-term counseling, interventions. As a school psychologist you are not trained for therapy, if you want to do therapy, you should look at Counseling Psychology, Social Work or maybe Marriage and Family Therapy.

You could get your Ed.S first for School Psychology certification (you just need the certification to work) and then get your PhD in something therapy related, the sky's the limit!

 

[TheWheeler]

I just sent in applications for School Psych Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs and am hearing back about interviews. Can anyone who's been through the process give me some tips on how to prepare and what to expect? Thanks.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

There are also a handful of programs that are School/Clinical combo programs....where you will receiving training in both. If you do a search in the clinical forum for school psychology....you might turn up a thread or two, though the discussion was awhile ago.

 

[psychometric]

I am currently majoring in Psychology and considering adding another major (so double major) in Psychology and HUman Relations. (If not Human Relations, then Communications, Criminology, or Business Administration...)

The reason I am choosing to double major is for the doors it opens for potential careers (and more doors equals greater job security and money potential... I am aware you don't make much being in Psychology.)

I am thinking I want to go for Masters or EDs in School Psychology. It interests me. My question is: Do you think there will be job oppurtunity in the future for it? Is it adequate to say salary is between 40 and 80k a year depending on where you live?

Also, could I become a licensed therapist after getting a masters in school psychology because I'd like to run my own practice on the side to help youth and broken family homes.

Edit to add: I also wanted to, after some year of experience, go and teach at a community college as I believe you can reach out the most to students who may not realize their potential for careers and life. Could I teach at a community college with this level degree and experience? (Say, 5 plus years experience)

If you go for your MS/MFT license and then add the PPS (appr. 60 units) school psychology specialist credential and get state certified, you can work as a school psychologist and as a therapist. Credential programs look for candidates who have a Master's degree in a behavioral area (MFT, MSW, LPC, or Education) Then you will be well equipped to make a good living and I believe, its a smart choice. I do not think, you would need another degree, it takes time away from valuable practice experience.

Salary is a median of $ 65,000
[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]http://www.naspweb.org/publications/cq286salary.htm
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