Educators with a passion for helping others and those who want to delve deeper into supporting students might want to consider becoming school psychological examiners. Those working in a school setting with a passion for student psychological health should consider undertaking a master’s degree program online.
There are many professional and personal benefits to becoming a school psychological examiner. An austere need for the skill set in schools and plenty of available job opportunities are a few criteria at the top of the list.
Overview
School psychological examiners will spend their days analyzing, assessing and diagnosing students’ unique needs and working to design learning plans to help them succeed. This field is still evolving, but widespread need for these professionals exists across the U.S. and in the state of Missouri.
According to a report from Zippia, the career outlook for a school psychological examiner should grow faster than average, about 14% between 2018-2028.
The Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) Master of Science in Education (MSEd.) in Educational Diagnostician with School Psychological Examiner Certification online program will elevate educators’ training and propel them toward a lucrative career.
In addition to providing graduates with desirable career opportunities, Northwest’s online program is affordable and convenient. The tuition estimate includes all fees, and its pay-by-the-course format allows students to continue working in their careers while earning their degrees.
What Are the Responsibilities of a School Psychological Examiner?
The job’s obligations involve balancing students’ social, physical and emotional needs. Coordinating with other professionals on the school team, the school psychological examiner is also in charge of addressing and assessing student psychological health. During a typical school day, these professionals might visit students who qualify for learning interventions and special education services.
Zippia reports: “A school psychological examiner’s responsibilities include conducting interviews and evaluations, performing background checks, addressing concerns, answering inquiries, and providing psychological support. They may also respond to crises, conduct interventions, maintain records, and refer clients to other services as necessary.”
How Much Money Can a School Psychological Examiner Earn?
While school psychological examiners can fulfill a need in any school district, the state of Missouri values the position. It recognizes the need for this position on a school’s leadership team. Graduates of Northwest’s program can address the needs in Missouri right outside university doors.
Like other administrative positions in education, this career choice can be a lucrative one, according to Zippia. A School Psychological Examiner’s annual salary in the U.S., with a Master’s degree, averages around $78,400. However, school psychological examiners in Missouri with an advanced degree can earn anywhere from upwards of $56,000 to $153,000 a year.
What Skill Set Does a School Psychological Examiner Need?
A school psychological examiner must possess strong analytical and communication skills in order to conduct assessments and properly analyze, score and write comprehensive reports. They might assist case carriers in providing and developing therapeutic solutions for students exhibiting behavioral issues.
Missouri-certified school psychological examiner Josephine Ciolli says it is fulfilling work. “The best part of the job is actually working with students in one-to-one testing situations and observing them in the classrooms. Kids will always surprise you,” Ciolli says.
Ciolli says her work is misunderstood: “I think most people are surprised at the time and paperwork required to complete the evaluation process from start to finish. It takes about 20 hours to finish a report. Information from other schools, teachers, classroom observations, tests, doctors, and psychologist’s evaluations must all be put together in a report packet for the team to review when considering if a child meets criteria for special education services.”
These professionals work with a broader, multidisciplinary team of professionals from across the spectrum of educational diagnosticians that works to help students with special needs. According to the American Association of Special Education Professionals (AASEP), educational diagnosticians come from different backgrounds to employ their particular areas of expertise to make the best decisions for students. The AASEP credits the intersection of these essential support personnel with counseling students and consulting with professionals, parents and others on the child’s progress.
Having skilled psychological professionals in schools makes degree programs like Northwest’s online
MSEd. in Educational Diagnostician with School Psychological Examiner Certification program increasingly more important.
Graduates of this program learn how to assess and diagnose students’ behavioral needs and design more effective educational learning plans. Students will be able to evaluate and apply research methods appropriate for special education students, gain hands-on field experience and satisfy the program requirements for the Missouri School Psychological Examiner designation (no test required).
Learn more about Northwest’s MSEd. In Educational Diagnostician with School Psychological Examiner Certification online program.
