Oct
31
How to become a licensed school psychologist and clinical psychologist?
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Question: I’m considering going to graduate school for school psychology. However, I’ve seen a lot of school psychologists’ profiles saying that they’re licensed school psychologists and clinical psychologists. I wonder how you can become both. Does it require extra courses outside of school psychology or as long as you receive your PhD, you’re qualified for clinical practice? Plz help me to clear out this confusion. Thank you.
3 Comments
October 31st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
In some states, SCHOOL psychologists are the one (ridiculously unfair, in my opinion) exception to the rule that ALL licensed psychologists, regardless of discipline, have a doctoral degrees (among other requirements). The APA is beginning to take a stand on this (long overdue), however, so that may soon change. But as of right now, some states DO allow master’s level practitioners in school psychology to use the legally protected term “psychologist”.
I wouldn’t count on that lasting through the course of your doctoral training (assuming you are at the beginning of your graduate studies). By the time you have completed your training, that gap (i.e., school psych folk being the ONLY psychologist licensees which do NOT have to have a doctoral degree nor pass the EPPP) should be closed.
You’re not automatically qualified for licensure upon graduation from a doctoral program in psych (whether school, clinical, counseling, I/O). In fact, much more is required prior to even being eligible for licensure. One is a year long APA approved internship. Another is passing the EPPP. A third is 1-3 years (varies by state) of full time POST-DOCTORAL supervised experience.
Hope that helps,
~Dr. B.~
p.s. Licensure laws for psychologists can vary (widely) by STATE. If you want a bottom line answer, your best bet is ALWAYS to contact the licensure board in the state in which you intend to practice to inquire about their specific licensure requirements.
October 31st, 2009 at 4:31 pm
You need to find a school with a combined PhD program, that is, a program that gives you a PhD in two disciplines in respect to either a combination of clinical, counseling, and school psychology.
October 31st, 2009 at 4:47 pm
You CAN become both.
A lot of people choose not to because it will be a lot of schooling.
School psychologists are usually able to work with just a masters degree. If you want to become a licensed clinical psychologist, you will be investing at least 5 years, along with a lot of time conducting original research. If scientific research is not your thing, you would want to rethink thanks to get a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and maybe go for a Psy.D. instead. It will still take 5 years to get the Psy.D. however.
And no, it is not correct that if you receive a Ph.D. you’re qualified for clinical practice. There are many specialization of psychology – and the ONLY ones that deal with practice are clinical or counseling psychology. The other areas emphasize teaching and scientific research.