Education Careers-Doctorate in School Psychology (PhD)

two young girls working together with one writingUse a Psychology degree to pursue a PhD in School Psychology

You can use a Psychology degree to move forward into graduate school for a PhD in School Psychology. A School Psychologist is concerned with the science and practice of psychology with children and the schooling process. You could use your degree to get a job in higher education, likely teaching undergraduates and conducting research. You may decide that you want to use your degree to work in the schools. The latter will typically involve a large percentage of time assessing children for learning disabilities, behavioral intervention, and developing intervention plans with teachers and parents. As with all PhD degrees, this is a research degree, so be prepared to conduct research about various schooling issues including assessment, intervention, and program development. 

In thinking about going for a PhD in School Psychology, make sure you check out if a program is accredited. In this way you can be assured that the program is recognized by a governing body as providing the highest level of advanced training. Also, you need to understand that being accepted into a PHD program will require a Master's degree from another school or as part of the PhD program. The total time to complete your PhD will be 4 to 6 years. Finally, it is very important to find out if the school you would like to attend offers any financial assistance (tuition and a stipend for serving as a Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant).

Click to check out this website about being a School Psychologist.

Salary Information

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median income for School Psychologists at $75,000, but does not specify if this is for an EdS or PhD.

Click here to see career salary information for ALL careers listed in explorecareersinpsychology.org.

Click here to read important steps to Education Career with a Graduate Degree

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Click on the links below to read about other Education careers that only require a Bachelor's Degree:

Education Careers--Teaching Children

Education Careers--Lbrary Assistant

Click on the links below to read about another Education careers that requires a graduate degree:

Education Careers--Master's Degree as a School Counselor

EEducation Careers--PhD in Educational Psychology