SchoolPsychBrit

I posted this on another post but it applies here too. “I’m getting my doctorate in school psychology and most of what is written above is inaccurate regarding licensure as a psychologist. As long as you meet licensure requirements (a graduate from an APA accredited program and internship would meet requirements for every state) you can take the EPPP to be licensed as a psychologist. All psychologists get the same license- you’d be a “licensed psychologist.” This doesn’t matter if you are a graduated from a program in school, clinical, or counseling psychology; they all get the same license. Since my school psych program is both APA accredited and NASP approved, I’ll be eligible for both the NCSP (good if you want to consult with schools) and licensure as a psychologist. I’ll have the same license that a psychologist from a clinical or counseling program would have. The “school” specialization just means that I have had courses on educational law, systems within schools, and academic interventions, which clinical and counseling psychologists would not have. However, clinical and counseling psychologists have more knowledge about counseling methods and personality disorders, generally. I actually plan on working as a licensed psychologist in a children’s hospital alongside other licensed psychologists who have graduated from school and clinical programs after I graduate. At the same time, if you don’t want to be a licensed psychologist and you only want to work in a school setting, you can go to a graduate program that is only NASP approved and get the NCSP. With this, you are not allowed to practice anywhere but in schools.” I also want to add that some school psychology programs better prepare their students than clinical psych programs. My school has all three programs- school, clinical, and counseling. We are often competing for the same APPIC internship spots. Last year, several school psych students got the spots in children’s hospitals that the clinical students had ranked 1st. However, students in my program also often end up with way more experience and publications than other school psych students interviewing for APPIC spots, so it depends on the program. I am a fourth year student and my current practicum site is the NICU follow up clinic and integrated primary care in a children’s hospital. My last placement was a private practice. Just make sure you find a good, competitive program and you’ll be fine. (I’m at university of southern Mississippi, but I know of a few other good school psych programs that are competitive.)

I’m getting my doctorate in school psychology and most of what is written above is inaccurate regarding licensure as a psychologist. As long as you meet licensure requirements (a graduate from an APA accredited program and internship would meet requirements for every state) you can take the EPPP to be licensed as a psychologist. All psychologists get the same license- you’d be a “licensed psychologist.” This doesn’t matter if you are a graduated from a program in school, clinical, or counseling psychology; they all get the same license. Since my school psych program is both APA accredited and NASP approved, I’ll be eligible for both the NCSP (good if you want to consult with schools) and licensure as a psychologist. I’ll have the same license that a psychologist from a clinical or counseling program would have. The “school” specialization just means that I have had courses on educational law, systems within schools, and academic interventions, which clinical and counseling psychologists would not have. However, clinical and counseling psychologists have more knowledge about counseling methods and personality disorders, generally. I actually plan on working as a licensed psychologist in a children’s hospital alongside other licensed psychologists who have graduated from school and clinical programs after I graduate. At the same time, if you don’t want to be a licensed psychologist and you only want to work in a school setting, you can go to a graduate program that is only NASP approved and get the NCSP. With this, you are not allowed to practice anywhere but in schools.