
PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 4 Career Planning Worksheet
Directions: Respond to the following questions in preparation for completing the Career Planning Worksheet.
- What is your career goal? (If you don’t have a specific goal, this can be a general statement to get your research started.)
My career goal is to attain a position as a school psychologist. I have always been drawn to the fields of psychology and education, and I believe that combining my interests through a career as a school psychologist would allow me to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of students and their families. |
- Find a job opening in your state that fits your goal and respond to these questions:
- Is a college degree needed? If yes, what degree?
- Is a state license needed? If yes, what license?
- What skills or knowledge does the job ask for?
- What experience does the job ask for?
- Does the salary meet your needs?
To obtain a state license for the job of a school psychologist, individuals must complete a state-approved program, and pass a licensure exam. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a thorough understanding of psychological theories, research methods, and therapeutic techniques, are essential for this profession. Knowledge of child and adolescent development, learning disabilities, and evidence-based interventions for academic and behavioral issues are also important. Experience in a school setting and completion of internships or supervised hours can be beneficial but are not always required. The salary for this job meets my expectations. |
- If a license is required for the job, find the requirements for licensure on your state’s Department of Licensing website and respond to these questions:
- Does the license require a degree? If yes, what degree?
- Does the license require the degree to be from a school with a specific accreditation? If yes, what accreditation?
- Does the license require passing a test(s)? If yes, what test(s)?
- Does the license require an internship or experience? If yes, what are those requirements?
In general, completing a degree in school psychology or a similar discipline, such as a Master’s or Doctoral Degree, is required for licensing as a school psychologist. The degree must be received from a school that has been accredited by an organization such as the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Licensure involves completing one or more examinations, such as the National School Psychology Exam, in addition to a degree (NCE). Some states additionally require an internship or other supervised experience before licensing. |
- If a graduate degree is required for this job, look at a graduate program offering that degree and respond to these questions:
- Do they require a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) to apply? If yes, what is the GPA?
- Does the program require you to take a test (i.e., GRE) to apply? If yes, what test?
- Does the program require specific coursework taken before entry? If yes, what courses?
- Does the program require completing an internship or practicum? If yes, what are the requirements?
It is necessary to have a graduate degree in school psychology or a related field, such as a master’s degree or Doctoral Degree. Most programs require applicants to have a minimum GPA, typically around a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) to be considered for admission. Specific coursework is also required before entry into these programs, such as classes in psychology, education, and research methods. In addition, an internship or practicum is required as part of the program. These requirements are necessary to qualify for any job as a School Psychologist. |
PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 4 Career Planning Worksheet
- Browse Capella’s course catalog and identify courses that can help you reach your goal.
The Master’s in School Psychology program at Capella University offers a range of courses that will be instrumental in helping me reach my goal of becoming a School Psychologist. These include:
Through these courses, I will gain a comprehensive understanding of the field of school psychology and develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this profession. |
- Find an article or website that talks about the future growth or changes for this career area.
Next, complete the Career Planning Worksheet. Use the spaces below to respond to the questions about your career goal.
Career Goal: Write a sentence stating your career goal based on awareness of the projected job market.
Based on my research and understanding of the current job market, my career goal is to attain a position as a school psychologist within a school district that has a demonstrated need for mental health services. I believe that my advanced training and expertise in this field would enable me to effectively support the academic and emotional well-being of students and their families, and I am committed to making a meaningful contribution to the field of education through this career path. |
Job Market: Write a paragraph describing whether this job will continue to be in demand and what changes are predicted. Cite your credible source of information.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the education system, potentially increasing demand for school psychologists to address issues related to distance learning and student and staff mental health. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) reports a shortage of School Psychologists in many parts of the country, which is expected to continue due to retirements and increased student enrollment. Additionally, there may be increased demand for School Psychologists to support children with disabilities or experiencing social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties (National Association of School Psychologists, 2020). |
Reference: Include the author, date, and URL for your credible source of information, and identify the credibility criteria used to establish this as a credible source.
National Association of School Psychologists. (2020). Shortage of school psychologists. https://www.nasponline.org/research-and-policy/policy-priorities/critical-policy-issues/shortage-of-school-psychologists |
Education Plan: Write a paragraph or more outlining your plan to get the education needed to reach your career goal. Include requirements for licensure, if any.
I plan to enroll in a graduate program in school psychology at Capella University to pursue my career goal of becoming a school psychologist. After finishing my degree, I will be able to apply for licensure in my state, which typically entails passing a licensing exam and completing a supervised experience. I will thoroughly research the specific requirements for licensure in my state and work hard to meet all the requirements to become a licensed School Psychologist. |
Skills Plan: Write a paragraph or more outlining how you plan to acquire the skills you’ll need to reach your career goal. Consider soft skills (traits that make you a good worker) and hard skills (abilities you learn in school or on the job) in your description.
To acquire the skills necessary for a career as a school psychologist, I plan to complete a graduate program in this field and participate in internships or practicums to gain hands-on experience. I will also focus on developing a range of soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and problem-solving, through participation in student organizations, volunteering, and taking on leadership roles. By combining academic study with real-world experience and the development of key skills, I believe I will be well-prepared to succeed as a school psychologist. |
PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 4 Career Planning Worksheet
Experience Plan: Write a paragraph or more outlining how you plan to gain the experience needed to reach your career goal.
I will gain the experience needed to reach my career goal of becoming a school psychologist through the completion of an internship or practicum as part of my graduate program. This will give me the chance to apply my knowledge and skills in a real-world setting, under the guidance of experienced professionals. In addition to my internship or practicum, I will also seek out additional opportunities to gain experience, such as volunteering in a school or participating in research projects related to my field of study. By combining these experiential learning opportunities with my coursework and the development of key skills, I will be well-prepared for a successful career as a school psychologist. |
Course Plan: List courses at Capella that will help you reach your career goal. For each course, write a sentence explaining how it will help you reach your goal.
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Resources: Write a paragraph or more describing resources you can use to reach your career goal.
To reach my career goal of becoming a school psychologist, I will utilize a range of resources including the Master’s in School Psychology program at Capella University, professional organizations such as the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the American Psychological Association (APA), practical experiences such as internships or supervised hours in a school setting, and online resources such as professional blogs, webinars, and online courses. These resources will provide me with comprehensive education, networking opportunities, practical experience, and access to the latest developments in the field. |