If you are looking to pursue a career supporting youth in your community, there are a number of careers in school settings that don\u2019t involve teaching. Both school counselors and school psychologists help students succeed in school and beyond.<\/p>\n
While both of these professions support a student\u2019s academic success, they are also focused on improving mental health and emotional well-being by providing students and their teachers and parents with tools and resources.<\/p>\n
If you are considering a career as a school psychologist or a school counselor, it\u2019s important to know the differences between these school-based roles. What are the day-to-day responsibilities of a school psychologist and a school counselor? How do their qualifications differ, and what salary can you expect to make?<\/p>\n
School counselors and school psychologists both provide student support services. School counselors generally serve the entire student population in one or more schools, whereas school psychologists provide more intensive interventions for students who qualify for special services and may serve several schools or an entire district.<\/p>\n
Qualifying for employment as a school psychologist or school counselor requires both education and hands-on fieldwork. In the state of California, you must obtain a graduate degree and a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential from an accredited university to qualify to serve in these roles. This requires completing academic coursework and a minimum number of fieldwork hours.<\/p>\n
At Chapman University, school counseling and school psychology (CSP) programs vary in length, cost, and a number of fieldwork hours.<\/p>\n
MA in School Counseling & PPS Credential<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Ed.S. in School Psychology & PPS Credential<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Chapman CSP students also have the option to add an emphasis in Professional Clinical Counseling, which fulfills the educational requirements for the California license as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)<\/a>. LPCC license holders can practice counseling and psychotherapy outside of schools in private practice or clinic settings.<\/p>\n School counselors ensure children and youth with diverse needs receive proper care and education, working collaboratively with teachers, administrators, students, and families on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n In addition to providing college and career development, they counsel students regarding social or emotional challenges, help them to apply academic achievement strategies, and consult with families and teachers. Their goal is to provide wrap-around academic, personal, and developmental support to school-age children.<\/p>\n \u201cSchool counselors are a valuable community resource and an essential part of K-12 education,\u201d said Randee Kirkemo, Ed.D., assistant professor and program coordinator of the Chapman\u2019s School Counseling program. \u201cSchool counselors deliver a comprehensive and data-driven program that supports the social-emotional, academic, and college\/career needs of all students in an educational community.\u201d<\/p>\n School psychologists are specialized mental health professionals who have training in both psychology and education. With a whole-child approach to education, they focus on assessment, crisis management, and identification of students\u2019 emotional and learning needs.<\/p>\n On a day-to-day basis, school psychologists work with students who qualify for special services due to educational, behavioral, or developmental challenges that impact their ability to learn. To serve these students, school psychologists help develop individualized education plans, or IEPs, to support the students\u2019 personal and academic achievement.<\/p>\n As part of this work, they assess for intervention, administer psychological tests, offer mental health counseling and behavior management, and collaborate with parents and teachers regarding behavior modification techniques.<\/p>\n \u201cSchool psychologists tend to be data-driven professionals who are drawn to the more clinical aspects of the role,\u201d said Kelly Kennedy, Ph.D., associate professor and director of Chapman\u2019s School Counseling and School Psychology programs. \u201cMany are also drawn to the assessment portion of the role and enjoy identifying barriers to academic, behavioral, and social-emotional development so that they can help to generate solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n Experts expect the demand for both school counselors and school psychologists will grow through 2030 due to an increased awareness of the connection between mental health and learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has also increased the demand for counseling and psychological services in schools and other community settings.<\/p>\n The US Bureau of Labor is projecting an 11% growth in school counseling jobs<\/a> and a 10% growth in school psychologists jobs<\/a> from 2020 to 2030.<\/p>\n The median annual wages for school counselors in California is $75,000<\/a>, whereas the median annual wages for school psychologists in California is $104,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSchool counselors and school psychologist are advocates for social change, diversity, equity, and inclusion,\u201d said Dr. Kennedy, \u201cand key providers of community-based mental health support services.\u201d<\/p>\n Regardless of whether you choose to pursue school counseling or school psychology, you\u2019ll enjoy a meaningful, impactful career as an advocate for all students.<\/p>\n\n
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Role of the School Counselor<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Role of the School Psychologist<\/h3>\n
Salary and Job Market Comparison<\/h3>\n
Advocates for All Students<\/h3>\n