My name is Marina and Im 16 years old. This year Im leaving school and the question that worries me most is where to continue my studies. I have already decided which career I want to pursue in the future, but there arent many educational institutions in my town. I want to become a professional psychologist. This has been my dream since childhood. I have always been a good listener and all of my friends would ask me for advice. In my opinion, psychology is becoming more and more popular in modern society, because people understand the need to be heard and guided. Everyone needs to talk about their problems and try to find the best solution. Moreover, psychologists are people, who help us to understand our inner world better, our motives of conduct in certain situations. This way we can avoid misunderstanding and find the right approach.
My decision to become a psychologist is not a spontaneous one. Im really interested in people and human behavior. I have an inquisitive mind and empathy for others. I can be a patient and perceptive interlocutor. My parents also believe that Im making the right choice. So, after some brief searching we found a Pedagogical university in the nearest city, which contains a psychological branch. To avoid commuting I might have to move, but thats not a big problem. Students from other cities or towns are offered a hostel. I know that the entrance exams are not going to be easy as well as the semester exams, but I will do my best. Im a hard-working and goal-oriented student by nature. Thats why no one doubts that I will succeed in this field.
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School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.
What Training Do School Psychologists Receive? School psychologists receive specialized advanced graduate preparation that includes coursework and practical experiences relevant to both psychology and education. School psychologists typically complete either a specialist-level degree program (at least 60 graduate semester hours) or a doctoral degree (at least 90 graduate semester hours), both of which include a year-long 1200 hour supervised internship. Graduate preparation develops knowledge and skills in:
Data collection and analysis
Assessment
Progress monitoring
School-wide practices to promote learning
Resilience and risk factors
Consultation and collaboration
Academic/learning interventions
Mental health interventions
Behavioral interventions
Instructional support
Prevention and intervention services
Special education services
Crisis preparedness, response, and recovery
Family-school-community collaboration
Diversity in development and learning
Research and program evaluation
Professional ethics, school law, and systems
Where Do School Psychologists Work? They 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
What Do School Psychologists Do? School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. They help schools successfully:
