茄子视频

A school psychologist supports students鈥� academic, social and emotional development by assessing learning needs, providing counseling, and consulting with teachers and families. Amid a nationwide shortage鈥攎any districts now average one school psychologist per 1,000 or more students, roughly double the recommended ratio鈥攖he 茄子视频 is training the next generation of school psychologists through its MA and PsyD programs.

Most people haven鈥檛 encountered a school psychologist since their own student days, but these mental health professionals make an impact that lasts long after the students they serve graduate.

Why Is There a School Psychologist Shortage?

The need for qualified school psychologists is higher than ever. Since the pandemic, rates of anxiety, depression and behavioral concerns among students have continued to climb steadily, says Gaston Weisz, PsyD, field placement director of Adelphi鈥檚 PsyD in School Psychology program.

By the numbers: The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recommends one school psychologist per 500 students. Many U.S. districts currently operate with one per 1,000 students or more鈥攄ouble the recommended caseload.

At 茄子视频, faculty in the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology are preparing the next generation of psychologists to help fill these gaps.

What Does a School Psychologist Do?

So, what does a school psychologist actually do? Dr. Weisz, who worked as a school psychologist for 30 years, says the role can vary depending on the district, school and culture. Responsibilities often include:

• Assessing students鈥� academic and emotional needs
• Consulting with teachers and school staff
• Supporting parents and families
• Providing direct interventions, including counseling
• Helping implement positive behavior supports and social-emotional programs
• Offering professional development for teachers

鈥淚 also worked at the systems level鈥攈elping implement positive behavior supports, supporting evidence-based practices in schools, social-emotional programs and providing professional development for teachers,鈥� Dr. Weisz says about his experience as a school psychologist.

In short, school psychologists have the ability to influence schools at every level鈥攆rom individual students to whole families, classrooms and entire communities. Adelphi鈥檚 master鈥檚 and PsyD programs give graduates the training needed to make the most of that impact.

How Adelphi Trains the Next Generation of School Psychologists

At Adelphi, future school psychologists are taught to pay attention to a child鈥檚 subjective experience in the classroom鈥攏ot just the skills they need to work on.

For kids who don鈥檛 do well in class or struggle to make friends, school can be a shaming ordeal. These students are typically approached with a narrow focus on skills and academic performance. 鈥淏ut if you have a broader perspective, you understand there is also something that needs to be done at the individual level鈥攖o speak to the student and how lost or afraid they feel鈥攁nd at a systemic level, in the classroom,鈥� says Ionas Sapountzis, PhD, professor and director of Adelphi鈥檚 MA and PsyD in School Psychology programs.

Students in Adelphi鈥檚 programs train in a wide range of therapeutic methods, from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to psychodynamic techniques, taught by faculty who know the job firsthand. 鈥淲e have faculty from varied theoretical orientations in psychology, exposing our students to a range of perspectives in the field, making Adelphi unique in how integrative we strive to be in our approach,鈥� Dr. Weisz says.

Students then put theory into practice through in-the-field training. Both master鈥檚 and doctoral students complete practicum and internships in schools, and PsyD students also spend their third year in a community health setting. 鈥淭hat’s quite a unique feature of our program, because it prepares our students to work more clinically and to have a broader perspective as to what services are available outside of schools,鈥� Dr. Sapountzis says.

MA vs. PsyD in School Psychology: What鈥檚 the Difference?

Students interested in becoming a school psychologist can choose between two Adelphi degree programs: the Master of Arts in School Psychology (MA) or the PsyD in School Psychology.

鈥淲ith the master鈥檚, you鈥檙e well trained to carry out the main functions of school psychology, and it鈥檚 very employable,鈥� Dr. Sapountzis says. 鈥淏ut once one graduates, the person is limited to practicing as a school psychologist in schools. Going for a PsyD allows one to get licensed in psychology and have a private practice.鈥�

Some students complete both programs鈥攕tarting with an MA, working in the field for a few years and returning later for the PsyD. 鈥淎s some of our students have said to me, 鈥業鈥檇 rather finish, get a job and then I鈥檒l see what I can do鈥欌�攁nd that makes total sense to me,鈥� Dr. Sapountzis says. 鈥淚t depends on the experience and life circumstances of the student.鈥�

No matter which pathway students choose, they graduate prepared for a challenging yet rewarding career that allows them to make a real difference in schools.

鈥淚 loved my job because there were constantly evolving ways in which I could be involved in ways to support the students, and it was always appreciated by the community where I worked,鈥� Dr. Weisz says. 鈥淣ow, as a university trainer, I strive to give back by preparing our graduate students to have that rewarding experience themselves.鈥�