Becoming a school psychologist in Kansas can be a fulfilling and exciting career choice. In Kansas, there are many different types of schools, including those in small towns and big cities, where you can help students overcome academic, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
As a school psychologist, you can make a positive impact on students and their families. By becoming a school psychologist in Kansas, you can help make schools better for students and leave a positive mark on the education system.
This guide will help you learn what you need to do to become a school psychologist in Kansas. You will learn about the education and licensure requirements and other important things to know about this career in Kansas.
What are the Requirements Become a School Psychologist in Kansas?
Below is a quick breakdown of requirements to become a licensed school psychologist in Kansas:
- Obtain a graduate degree
- Complete an approved graduate school psychology program
- Maintain 3.23 GPA
- Complete 8 credit hours or 1 year of experience
- Apply for a Conditional School Specialist License
- Complete supervised experience
- Apply for a Professional School Specialist License
Conditional School Specialist License
If you are interested in obtaining a Conditional School Specialist License in Kansas, you need to fulfill certain requirements. These criteria are in place to ensure you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform well within the educational system. To qualify, you should meet the following requirements:
- First of all, you will need a graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Secondly, you must complete an approved graduate-level school psychology program. These programs are specifically designed to equip you with the in-depth knowledge and training needed for success in your professional role.
- Also, you will have to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 in your school psychology graduate program. This emphasizes the importance of a solid academic foundation for your career in the field.
- Recency is another vital factor to consider. You should have completed at least 8 credit hours or 1 year of experience within the previous 6 years. This guideline makes sure your knowledge and skills stay up-to-date and applicable in the dynamic world of education.
- Finally, you will have to achieve a passing score of 157 on the Praxis II school psychologist examination. This test measures your competency for working as school psychologist in Kansas, verifying that you have the skills required to make a significant impact on the education system.
Professional School Specialist License
You will need to sign up for a supervised internship program. This program should include at least 1,200 clock hours, with a minimum of 600 hours spent in a school setting. You can complete this internship either full-time over the course of one academic year or part-time over two consecutive academic years, all while working under the Conditional School Specialist License.
In case you are pursuing a doctoral degree in school psychology, it is mandatory to either finish a specialist-level internship at a school or complete a 600-hour advanced practicum within a school environment before beginning your internship. The latter should offer an experience equivalent to a formal specialist-level internship, and this will be in addition to your doctoral level internship.
During your internship, the university is responsible for appointing a supervisor to oversee your progress. This designated supervisor will be in charge of confirming that you have fulfilled all internship obligations. Once the internship is successfully finished, the university will then validate that you have achieved the necessary criteria for the professional license.
Once you have successfully complete your supervised experience, you can apply for a Professional School Specialist License.
Work Authorization
Work Authorization serves as a temporary school psychology license, enabling professionals from related fields to work as school psychologists while completing their education specialist degree and fulfilling the requirements for a professional license.
To be eligible, applicants need to:
- Be enrolled in a participating school psychology program.
- Hold a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., Special Education, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, etc.).
- Possess a valid license in a related field.
- Complete the required Essential Coursework. The Work Authorized committee will determine whether courses listed on your transcript can be counted toward meeting these requirements.
Continuing Education Requirements
You need to satisfy one of the following continuing education (CE) requirements to renew your professional school psychologist license in Kansas:
- Academic Credit: Earn 6 additional semester hours of recent college credit from a regionally accredited institution within the 6 years leading up to the renewal application, or
- Inservice or Professional Development Credit: Complete 120 additional hours of Kansas inservice or professional development, or
- Experience: Proof of three years of accredited work experience during the latest 5-year Kansas credential period and within the 6 years leading up to the renewal application. This experience-based renewal can only be utilized twice throughout your career.
How Long Does It Take to Become a School Psychologist in Kansas?
The duration required to become a school psychologist in Kansas depends on your chosen educational path and the experiences you gain along the way. After completing high school, you can expect to spend around 7-10 years pursuing the necessary education and practical experience to become a licensed school psychologist in the state.
However, the precise length of time can differ based on factors such as the degree program you select, the duration of your internship, and the licensing application procedure.
Can I Become a School Psychologist in Kansas With a Bachelor’s Degree?
No, you need a graduate degree in school psychology to become a licensed school psychologist in Kansas.
What is the Scope of Practice for School Psychologists in Kansas?
The responsibilities of school psychologists in Kansas involve working with children from birth to grade 3 and PreK-12. School psychologists in Kansas help students with different needs, including those with disabilities, unique talents, and diverse backgrounds. Following is a typical scope of practice for schools psychologists working in Kansas:
- Assessing students’ needs for services and developing individual service plans.
- Collecting and analyzing data from multiple sources and levels to understand student needs and implement evidence-based interventions.
- Incorporating various techniques for data collection, measurement, and analysis, including technology resources.
- Monitoring academic, social, emotional, and behavioral progress and evaluating intervention effectiveness.
- Supporting teachers, school staff, and stakeholders in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting universal screening and progress monitoring data.
- Assisting in designing and implementing assessment procedures
- Supporting the use of systematic, reliable, and valid data collection procedures for evaluating school-based interventions and programs.
- Using a consultative problem-solving process for planning, implementing, and evaluating academic and mental and behavioral health services.
- Effectively communicating information verbally and in writing for diverse audiences.
- Consulting and collaborating with educational professionals at various levels, considering the viewpoints of all parties involved when making decisions.
- Sharing research about teaching methods with educators, parents, and the community to improve learning and student success.
- Creating and apply positive behavior support for individuals, groups, and classrooms at different levels.
- Offering training and coaching on various topics to help staff and parents understand children’s developmental needs in schools.
- Collaborating with others to create and maintain a positive school atmosphere that encourages learning, engagement, and attendance while reducing negative influences on behavior.
What is the Job Outlook for School Psychologists in Kansas?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , job opportunities for school psychologists in Kansas are expected to increase by 6% between 2021 and 2031. This growth in job opportunities suggests a positive outlook for individuals pursuing a career as a school psychologist in the state of Kansas.
Contact Us
Privacy Policy