What Does a School Psychologist Do? Role, Duties & Daily Life

Published on: August 25, 2017 | 9 minutes read

By: Kristy Pruitt

Education

A man sitting in a circle with a group of children

The school psychologist is one of the unsung heroes of the educational world. These trained professionals play a significant role in student success across academic, social, behavioral, and emotional areas.

Due to the importance of the position, school psychologists must obtain high-level degrees and credentials. However, the required education and licensing vary by state. For example, in California, school psychologists may earn either a master’s or doctoral degree and must have a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Psychology.

No matter where they work, school psychologists take on a number of essential responsibilities. From developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to guiding students through grief, in-school psychologists utilize many hard and soft skills on a daily basis.

This guide explores the day-to-day duties of school psychologists in more depth, answering the question, “What does a school psychologist do?”

Key Takeaways

School psychologists are respected professionals who provide individualized support to students in need.
No two days are the same, but common responsibilities include conducting evaluations, meeting with parents, and resolving conflicts between students.
Because school psychologists are certified professionals, an advanced degree from a reputable university is required.

What is the Role of a School Psychologist?

School psychologists use their advanced training in human development, behavior, and mental health to help students excel in the school environment. These professionals work to improve their students’ lives across a number of areas, including:

Academic achievement
Performance
Social skills
Behavioral issues
Emotional health

What Does a Typical Work Week Look Like as a School Psychologist?

There is no “typical workday” for a school psychologist. The daily responsibilities of a school psychologist vary from school to school, and may even change periodically based on student and staff needs. Some school psychologists may be assigned to a specific school, while others may serve several schools within a district. The career is exciting and unpredictable, as school psychologists work in various settings to ensure every child has the support they need.

With that said, there are some duties and licensure requirements that overlap across schools and settings. School psychologists provide a bridge between mental health and academic success to ensure students thrive.

The primary client of a school psychologist is the student. However, to effectively assist students, the school psychologist may also work with school administrators, teachers, school staff, parents, and other health professionals, such as speech-language pathologists or pediatricians.

So, what do school psychologists do every day? While the responsibilities of a school psychologist are vast, their duties may include the following activities.

School Psychology Program Overview

1. Conducting Psychological Tests and Evaluations

School psychologists often evaluate students based on referrals by teachers and school administrators. The psychologist obtains a thorough history of a student’s educational, social, and medical history, in addition to testing them across numerous areas of functioning. These tests may be given to students struggling in certain areas, as well as those who are considered gifted.

To flesh out their evaluations, school psychologists may interview students and observe them in the normal school setting. The school psychologist compiles this data into a report and assessment that is included in the student’s official school record.

2. Supporting Each Student’s IEP by Working with a Multidisciplinary Team

One of the primary objectives of a school psychologist is to help develop and meet the goals of each child’s Individualized Education Program, which is a cornerstone of special education services. Psychologists share their findings from psychological tests and observations with educators and other professionals. They also monitor student progress to ensure they remain on track.

School psychologists have special knowledge of adaptive behaviors that predict student success. Therefore, they often work with students to teach and enforce pro-social behaviors that help students do their best, using strategies like:

Positive reinforcement
Goal-setting
Behavior modeling
Role-playing

4. Counseling Students Individually or in Groups

School psychologists often meet with students one-on-one or in groups to discuss specific academic, social, or emotional issues. Counseling sessions usually require the psychologist to document the session and develop interventions that address each student’s unique needs. These may include anxiety, attention problems, or learning disabilities.

5. Developing Intervention Plans for Teaching Staff

As the body of research on human development, psychology, and education grows, the school psychologist must stay up to date. That way, they can ensure that the school system follows proper protocols in its teaching practices, disciplinary actions, and other school-wide procedures. Practicing school psychologists may:

Study the latest research
Monitor teacher effectiveness
Offer feedback
Track changes in student performance
Conduct crisis intervention when needed

6. Meeting with Parents

To provide regular updates on child development and student progress, school psychologists must meet with parents through face-to-face visits, video calls, or telephone conferencing.

Psychologists may also reach out to parents to discuss issues occurring at home (such as divorce) in hopes of better understanding their students’ behavior or emotional functioning.

7. Organizing Workshops and Training for Parents and Teachers

Depending on the school’s unique needs, a school psychologist may host training sessions to help parents and school personnel address common issues affecting students, such as bullying.

8. Acting as a Liaison to the Community

The school psychologist is often the point of reference for other professionals who may work at the school or in the community. The school psychologist may contact pediatricians, therapists, social workers, and others to update them on the student’s progress or to obtain additional information for evaluations.

9. Facilitating Peer Mediation Sessions

If two or more students disrupt class or are involved in a conflict, the school psychologist may work with them to resolve behavioral issues and settle disputes. They then help these students learn effective ways of dealing with conflict and stressors in a school setting.

10. Offering Grief or Emergency Counseling Services

In response to personal crises or tragedies affecting the school community, the school psychologist may counsel students and staff as needed. This responsibility can be challenging and emotionally demanding, but it is one of the most impactful parts of a rewarding career.

What Distinguishes School Psychologists from School Counselors?

Both school psychologists and school counselors support the student body through intervention planning and collaborations with teachers and parents throughout the K-12 system. Their shared goal is to foster a better learning environment. However, there are distinct differences between the two roles and their scope of practice.

School psychologists focus primarily on supporting individual students who are dealing with developmental or mental health issues. They assess and test students who may require additional services, educate parents about their child’s learning process, and provide additional counseling when needed.

On the other hand, school counselors work with the entire student population. They engage in crisis intervention and prepare students for the future on a broader scale.

What Skills Are Required to Become a School Psychologist?

For a school psychologist to be successful, they must have the ability to:

Educate, support, and provide school health services in a compassionate and informative manner
Understand mental health conditions and therapies
Handle scheduling and administrative tasks
Diagnose, treat, and care for disorders and behavioral problems related to mental health
Collaborate with other professionals
Communicate information clearly and concisely
Write reports and other important documents
Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Many of these skills are taught in school psychology degree programs.

Specialized Expertise

Additionally, school psychologists may benefit from gaining specialized skills like:

Diagnosing, treating, and caring for individuals with autism
Offering telehealth services for remote counseling and therapy
Creating staff training materials and development programs
Providing crisis intervention services in high-pressure situations

How Do I Become a School Psychologist?

The road to becoming a school psychologist is slightly different depending on where you live and work. Each state has its own licensing requirements. That said, the process to start working as a school psychologist typically follows the same steps:

Step 1: Obtain a bachelor’s degree: Aspiring school psychologists must first complete an undergraduate degree. While any program is acceptable, many students find that earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology provides the strongest foundation. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years of full-time study.
Step 2: Earn a master’s degree or doctorate: School psychology is a complex field, so an advanced education is usually required. Earning a master’s degree, such as a Master of Arts in Education (MAE), typically requires two to three years of full-time study. A doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) can take an additional two years. This stage often includes a supervised internship to gain hands-on experience.
Step 3: Pass a background check: To ensure the safety of students and staff, most jurisdictions require a criminal record check. Graduates must submit fingerprints and other personal details to the appropriate agencies.
Step 4: Obtain certification: Some positions also require a state license. The process for achieving this license varies from state to state. For instance, in California, school psychologists can write their Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) exam after gaining two years of full-time experience.^[1] A Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing is also required.^[2]

By the end of this process, you will be ready to apply for school psychologist jobs.

Build Your School Psychologist Career at Alliant University

School psychologists fulfill a crucial role in our society: They support children through some of the most difficult times in their lives and prepare them for the future.

If that is the type of career that appeals to you, school psychology may be the right pathway for your future. Alliant University offers the MAE in School Psychology with Pupil Personnel Services Credential for students with a bachelor’s degree, and a Credential in Pupil Personnel Services, School Psychology program for those with relevant master’s degrees. Both programs will help prepare you for a rewarding career in school psychology.

To learn more about these programs and find out if school psychology is right for you, contact our admissions team.

Sources:

^[1] “Information for Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) Applicants.” Board of Behavioral Sciences. Accessed April 30, 2026. https://www.bbs.ca.gov/applicants/lep.html.

^[2] “Pupil Personnel Services Credential For Individuals Prepared In California (CL-606C).” Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Accessed April 30, 2026. https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl-606c/.