California State University, Sacramento School Psychology Program

Interested In…• Helping kids of all ages?

• Promoting mental health?

• Working with a variety of educators, community members, and mental health professionals?

• Flexibility and a variety of career options?

• Having a stable, well-paying career that is in high demand?

Then School Psychology Could be the Career For YOU!

What is a School Psychologist?

Child Advocate• Advocate that all children can learn and be successful

• Advocate for children’s best interest

• Advocate for safety and best practices

Mental Health Professional• Social-Emotional Assessment

• Group Counseling

• Individual Counseling

• Professional Development

• Mental Health Advocate

• Staff, Parent, and Student Education

Psycho-educational Assessment Expert• Conducts cognitive assessments and psycho-educational

assessments

• Interprets assessments and data as an IEP Team Member

• Consults and Collaborates with school staff, district personnel, community members, mental health professionals, parents, and kids

Advisor• Give recommendations based on best practices for school

curricula, interventions, school and district policy, and accommodations

• Provide interpretation of Special Education Eligibility Criteria, Codes, Laws, and Regulations

• Advise on interventions and accommodations best suited for each individual child

• Prevention and Intervention

Leader in Research• National Association of School Psychology (NASP)

• California Association of School Psychology (CASP)

What’s the Difference Between…

School Counselor• At least 2 years grad school

• Trained in ed./counseling

• Individual and group counseling addressing a variety of issues, career planning, and course scheduling

• Employed in public schools and university advisement centers

School Psychologist• At least 3 years grad school

• Trained in ed./psychology

• Assessment, consultation, behavioral/academic intervention, crisis prevention/intervention, individual /group counseling, and program evaluation

• Employed in public/private schools, private practice, mental health centers, and universities

How are School Psychologists Different from Child Clinical Psychologists?

School psychologists focus on how social emotional issues, family problems, neurological factors, and mental illness affect learning

Child clinical psychologists:

• Usually work in a hospital, mental health center, private clinic, or university setting

• Are not typically trained in education, instruction, or classroom management

• Do not focus primarily on the multiple factors that affect learning

Where do School Psychologists Work?• Public and private schools

• Private practice

• Colleges and universities

• Community mental health centers

• Institutional/residential facilities

• Pediatric clinics and hospitals

• Criminal justice system

• Public agencies

Who are Today’s School Psychologists?• 76.6% are women

• 17.8% are over 60 years of age

• Employed:– 83.7% work in public schools– 6.2% work in private schools– 2.5% work in faith-based schools– 7.4% work in universities– 3.5% work in independent practice– 5.0% work in other

Ethnicity of School Psychologists

Ethnicity %

White/Caucasian90.7

Hispanic/Latino 3.4

Black/African-American 3.0

Asian-American/Pacific Islander 1.3

American Indian/Alaskan Native 0.6

Other 1.0

Source: 2009-2010 NASP membership survey

What’s the Job Outlook?• Excellent both at present and long-term!

• Not enough graduates to meet demand

• Retirement will soon open many positions

• School Psychology was named one of the“50 best careers” for 2011 by US News and World Report

• "According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of psychologists is projected to grow 12% from 2012 to 2022, and one of the groups with the best job prospects will be those with a specialist or doctoral degree in school psychology.“

http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/06/best-careers-2011-school-psychologist.html

http://www.nasponline.org/about_nasp/faqs_main.aspx

Salary Information• US News and World Report says median salary is $67,650 and

mean is $72,220 in 2012

• NASP 2009-2010 Membership survey reports the following mean salaries of School Psychologists:– Practitioner (200 Days Contract): $71,320– University Faculty: $77,801– Administration: $93,258– State Department: $75,000

• Salaries for school psychologists vary by district, state, and region.

http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/school-psychologist/salary 

Contracts and Salaries: Full-TimeSchool-Based Practitioners• Contracts

– 60.5% have contracts of 170 to 199 days– 38.1% have contracts of 200 days or more

• Mean Per Diem Salary = $356.60

• 180 days = $64,188

• 190 days = $67,754

• 200 days = $71,320

• 210 days = $74,886

• 220 days = $75,452

• Mean Ed.S Per Diem Salary = $330.36http://www.nasponline.org/about_sp/nasp_salaries_09_10.pdf

CSUS School Psychology Graduate Program

Why Choose CSUS School Psychology Graduate Program?• NASP approved and CCTC accredited training program

• In 3 years (6 semesters) earn your Master’s and Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.)in School Psychology, and Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS)

• Optional Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with additional coursework and supervised hours which allows you to practice independent clinical counseling.

• EXCELLENT Reputation

Excellent Teaching• Current Full Time Faculty

– Dr. Stephen Brock, NASP President 2014-2015

– Dr. Melissa Holland, program coordinator

• Current practicing school psychologists, clinical psychologists, behavioral specialists, and other mental health professionals

During the 1st Year, You Will…• Take courses in group and individual counseling, psycho-

educational assessment, child development, and research methods

• Begin individual counseling and psycho-educational assessment with direct supervision, instruction, and guidance from highly qualified, practicing school psychologists and clinical psychologists

During the 2nd Year You Will…• Take courses in psycho-educational assessment, behavior

assessment and intervention, academic interventions, and much more

• Working in the field with supervision by practicing school psychologists and participating in IEP and SST meetings, observing in the classrooms, and running counseling sessions

• Conducting psycho-educational assessments in the CCDS (at Sac State) with direct supervision, instruction, and guidance

• Finish your 4th (full time) semester with a Master’s in Education, School Psychology

During the 3rd Year, You Will…• Work as an Intern (usually paid) in a local school district with

guidance and supervision from practicing school psychologists and your professors.

• Work on your thesis or project

• Complete units and coursework to further prepare you for your future career

• Graduate with an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology (Ed.S.) and your Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS)

Cohort for Life!• All classes with the school psychology program will be with

your cohort (who will be your future colleagues)

Admission Requirements• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution

• A minimum of 3.0 grade point average (if GPA is below a 3.0, student may be accepted conditionally)

• Evidence of registration for or CBEST passing score

• Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores- from the three sections of the General Test taken within five years of applying to the Ed.S. program. (GRE not required for Fall 2015 application but will be required starting Fall 2016)

Pre-requisite Requirements• Abnormal Psychology

• Education of Exceptional Children

• Intro to Behavioral Statistics (or similar Statistics coursework)

• Intro to Counseling

• Power, Privilege, and Self-Identity

• Tutoring Children Reading Course and/or Experience

• *Similar coursework covering topics from the above courses may be used with department approval. Provide evidence that coursework taken meets requirements of the courses listed and discuss with advisor/program coordinator once you have been admitted in the program.

Applications for Fall 2015 are DUE Sunday, February 1, 2015

• http://www.csus.edu/coe/academics/graduate/degrees/education-specialist-school-psychology.html

• http://www.csus.edu/coe/apply/graduate.html

• Supplemental Program Application Packet deadline is Monday, February 2, 2015

• Submit your completed supplemental application packet to Eureka Hall 401

• Must complete University Application online by Sunday, February 1, 2015

Websites to CheckoutNational Association of School Psychologists

(301) 657-0270 www.nasponline.org

Excellent Opportunity– Mark Your Calendar!

• CSUS 2015 School Psychology Conference: A Focus on Mental Health

• When: Friday, January 16th AND Friday, January 23rd

• Where: Sac State Campus

• What: Presentations by Dr. Stephen Brock, Dr. Melissa Holland, Marcy Gutierrez, and other professors and mental health professionals. Also a networking luncheon

• Register TODAY! Email jedewitt23@gmail.com for a registration form

• Student price of $50 for BOTH days!

SourcesCurtis, M. J., Lopez, Castillo, J. M., & Gelley, C. (2010). School Psychology 2010:

Demographics, employment, and the context for professional practices- part 1. NASP Communique. Bethesda: NASP.

Curtis, M. J., Lopez, A. D., Batsche, G. M., Minch, D., & Abshier, D. (2007, March). Status report on school psychology: A national perspective. Paper presented at the annual convention of the National Association of School Psychologists, New York City.

Fagan, T. K., & Wise, P. S. (2007). School psychology: Past, present, and future 3rd Ed. Bethesda: NASP.

Hosp, J. L., & Reschly, D. J. (2002). Regional differences in school psychology practice. School Psychology Review, 31, 11-29.

Thomas, A. & Grimes, J. (2008). Best practices in school psychology V. Bethesda: NASP.