Ryan J. McGill, Ph.D., BCBA-D, NCSP, LSSP About the presenter What does a school psychologist do? Where do school psychologists work? Can school psychologists specialize? Is there a demand for school psychologists? How does one become a school psychologist? What is the difference between a doctoral level trained school psychologist and a specialist-level trained school psychologist? How to select a school psychology training program? Texas Woman s University s School Psychology programs. Resources Questions Assistant Professor, Core School Psychology Faculty Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman s University, Denton, Texas. Practicing School Psychologist in California from 2009-2014. Board Certified Behavior Analyst Nationally Certified School Psychologist Research and Teaching Interests: Psychological Assessment; Psychometrics and Test Development; Science of Cognitive Abilities; Identification of Specific Learning Disability. 1
All children and youth can face problems from time to time related to learning, social relationships, making difficult decisions, or managing emotions such as depression, anxiety, worry, or isolation. School psychologists help students, families, educators, and members of the community understand and resolve both long-term, chronic problems and short-term issues that students may face. Assessment for determining the special education needs of students (learning disabilities, autism, emotional disturbance). Assessment for determining giftedness. Assessment for intervention planning. Special education individual and group counseling. Crisis intervention and prevention. Instructional and behavioral consultation for educators and families, and students. Research and program evaluation. Student progress monitoring. They understand how these issues affect learning, behavior, well-being, and school engagement. School psychologists are highly skilled and ready resources in the effort to ensure that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and in life. 2
The vast majority of school psychologists work in K 12 public schools. They also provide services in a variety of other settings, including: Private schools Preschools School district administration offices Universities School-based health and mental health centers Community-based day treatment or residential clinics and hospitals Juvenile justice programs Independent private practice Yes, school psychologists can work in narrow parts of the field such as being a specialist in: Crisis intervention Autism assessment and/or intervention Early childhood assessment and/or intervention Counseling Elementary and secondary populations High school transitional services. School neuropsychological assessment Behavioral interventionist Supervisor of other assessment specialists The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 16,400 new school psychologist jobs will be added between 2012 and 2022, for an employment growth rate of 11.3 percent. Part of that expansion comes from the increasing demands from students with learning disabilities, special needs and behavioral issues. 3
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, school psychologists earned a median salary of $67,650 in 2012. The best-paid earned about $109,340 while the lowest-paid earned less than $38,450. The best-paid school psychologists work in Allentown, Pa., San Luis Obispo, Calif. and Boulder, Colo. Salary Range 75th Percentile $87,910 Median $67,650 25th Percentile $50,480 Entry Level: Specialist-level of Training in School Psychology 60+ graduate hours of training 2 years of full-time course work and 3 rd year paid internship in the schools. Awarded a Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) degree. Leads to licensure as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) in Texas and Nationally Certified as a School Psychologist Intro. to School Psychology Human Learning and Cognition Cognitive Assessment Direct Behavior Interventions Academic Assessment Research Design Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience Psychopathology of childhood and adolescence. Social/Emotional Assessment Research Team Supervision and Consultation Advanced Psychological Statistics Therapeutic Interventions Preschool and Autism Assessment Supervised Practicum Seminar in School Psychology Cross-Cultural Psychology Internship 4
Advanced Level: Doctoral-level Training in School Psychology 90-120 hours of training in school psychology. 2 years of full-time course work and 3 rd year paid internship in the schools. Awarded a Ph.D. (Doctorate in Psychology) degree. Leads to licensure as a Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) in Texas and Nationally Certified as a School Psychologist Same coursework as the Specialist-level training program and additional coursework in: History of psychology Professional ethics Foundations in social psychology Advanced statistics Advanced consultation Theories of counseling Advanced Therapeutic Interventions Neuropsychological Assessment I & II Neurodevelopmental and genetic disorders Neuropsychopharmacology More research experience Dissertation Doctoral internship Specialist-level training programs should be approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). o List of Nationally Approved Programs: http://www.nasponline.org/certification/naspapproved.aspx Doctoral-level training programs should be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). o List of APA Approved School Psychology Programs: http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/programs/accredschool.aspx 5
Specialist in School Psychology Degree (NASP Approved) http://www.twu.edu/psychology-philosophy/specialist-schoolpsych.asp Doctoral Degree in School Psychology (APA accredited and NASP Approved) http://www.twu.edu/psychology-philosophy/phd-schoolpsych.asp Kathy DeOrnellas, Ph.D., LSSP Director of Specialist Program o Transition services for students with high functioning autism spectrum disorders; siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorders; loneliness, anxiety, and depression in adults with autism spectrum disorders. Wendi Leigh Baumann Johnson, Ph.D., LSSP Coordinator of Practicums and Internships o Video self-modeling interventions targeting social, behavioral, and functional deficits for children and adolescents with autism, intellectual deficits, emotional disturbance, ADHD, and traumatic brain injury. Denise Maricle, Ph.D. Director of Doctoral Program o School neuropsychology; neuropsychological assessment with children; executive functioning and working memory in children; cognitive assessment; role and function of school psychologists; and child psychopathology. Ryan McGill, Ph.D., BCBA-D, NCSP, LSSP o Psychological Assessment; Psychometrics and Test Development; Science of Cognitive Abilities; Identification of Specific Learning Disability. 6
Daniel C. Miller, Ph.D., ABPP, ABSNP, NCSP, LSSP Department Chair o School neuropsychology assessment, school neuropsychology and school psychology professional issues (e.g., credentialing, licensure, specialization), early childhood assessment. Ronald Palomares, Ph.D., LSSP o Military children and their families, supervision, and telepsychology. Both Programs: Specialist: http://www.twu.edu/psychology-philosophy/schoolpsych-specialist-apply.asp Doctoral: http://www.twu.edu/psychology-philosophy/schoolpsych-phd-apply.asp Applications due by February 1 st All official transcripts submitted Graduate Record Examination (GRE) PhD program preferred scores minimum of 300 (153 verbal and 147 quantitative). Letter of intent to apply. Resume Three letters of recommendation 500 word goals statement (why you want to be a school psychologist) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) o www.nasponline.org NASP Careers in School Psychology o http://www.nasponline.org/resources/freepubs.aspx American Psychological Association School Psychology Division (16) o http://www.apadivisions.org/division-16/ Texas Woman s University s Programs o http://www.twu.edu/psychology-philosophy/grad-schoolpsychology.asp 7
Dr. Denise Maricle Director, Doctoral Program in School Psychology Office: CFO 812 940-898-2260 phone 940-898-2301 fax email: dmaricle@twu.edu Dr. Kathy DeOrnellas Director, Specialist in School Psychology Program CFO #811 Office 940-898-2315 phone 940-898-2301 fax email: kdeornellas@twu.edu Ryan J. McGill, Ph.D., BCBA-D, NCSP, LSSP Office: CFO 805 940-898-2396 phone 940-898-2301 fax email: rmcgill@twu.edu 8