School Psychologists

Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Job Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Examples

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.

Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.

Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.

Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.

Select, administer, and score psychological tests.

Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.

Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.

Develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.

Counsel children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.

Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.

Provide consultation to parents, teachers, administrators, and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques.

Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.

Design classes and programs to meet the needs of special students.

Promote an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and behavior.

Attend workshops, seminars, or professional meetings to remain informed of new developments in school psychology.

Refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, or social services.

Serve as a resource to help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss.

Initiate and direct efforts to foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in school communities.

Provide educational programs on topics such as classroom management, teaching strategies, or parenting skills.

Conduct research to generate new knowledge that can be used to address learning and behavior issues.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
Testing software
Computer based training software
Instructional software
Data base user interface and query software
Xperts iep.online
Electronic mail software
Email software
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Optical character reader OCR or scanning software
Test scoring software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Video conferencing software
Google Meet
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Audio and visual presentation and composing equipment
Overhead projectors
Communications Devices and Accessories
Multi-line telephone systems
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Computer scanners
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Psychology
98%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Therapy and Counseling
91%
Importance

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Education and Training
89%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Sociology and Anthropology
86%
Importance

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

Customer and Personal Service
82%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Clerical
81%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Mathematics
74%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Law and Government
65%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Computers and Electronics
64%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

English Language
62%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
88%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension
85%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking
85%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking
80%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring
80%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Social Perceptiveness
80%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Writing
80%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Judgment and Decision Making
78%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving
75%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Service Orientation
75%
Importance

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Comprehension
88%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
88%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning
83%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Written Comprehension
83%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Inductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Problem Sensitivity
80%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Speech Clarity
80%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Speech Recognition
78%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Near Vision
73%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
91%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
85%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
84%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
83%
Importance

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
79%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
77%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
76%
Importance

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
75%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Analyzing Data or Information
74%
Importance

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
72%
Importance

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Detailed Work Activities

Interpret research or operational data.

Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.

Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.

Administer standardized physical or psychological tests.

Advise others on educational matters.

Coordinate cross-disciplinary research programs.

Counsel clients on mental health or personal achievement.

Design psychological or educational treatment procedures or programs.

Attend conferences or workshops to maintain professional knowledge.

Develop educational programs.

Advise others on healthcare matters.

Conduct scientific research of organizational behavior or processes.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Structured versus Unstructured Work

To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

Education
Majors
Major
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Interests
Investigative
100%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Social
86%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Artistic
53%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Conventional
53%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Enterprising
24%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Realistic
19%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
97%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity
97%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Cooperation
95%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Persistence
95%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Self Control
95%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Adaptability/Flexibility
92%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Concern for Others
92%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Social Orientation
92%
Importance

Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Stress Tolerance
92%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Attention to Detail
91%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Work Values
Relationships
100%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Independence
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Achievement
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Working Conditions
69%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Support
53%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.