College of Education
School Psychology
The professional in school psychology is educated in the major disciplines of education and psychology. He or she is equipped to undertake and manage processes and problems related to the education and development of children within schools. A major portion of his or her training concerns the interaction of the child with the social institution of the school. Because of this special orientation, the school psychologist must be well grounded in the philosophy and methods of education and must achieve a high level of understanding of psychological processes such as learning, personality, and social competence. The school psychologist is an applied psychologist who brings skills, instrumentation, and techniques to bear on learning and behavioral problems in the school setting. He or she must be prepared to intervene constructively when acute and chronic behavior problems occur.
- Consult effectively with change agents in the child’s life (i.e., parents, administrators, teachers).
- Participate in the assessment of individual learning problems.
- Participate in education program planning and management.
- Provide information to promote effective use of the resources of agencies outside the school setting.
- Design and carry out action and situation research requiring knowledge of the school and of the learner in interaction in such a setting.
Professional positions open to program graduates occur primarily in these locations: public school systems, in school psychology, pupil, personnel or special education; college or university teacher-training programs; agencies providing mental health services to children and families; public agencies involved in research and development activities in education and child development; and private practice of psychology.