Are you considering a career as a school psychologist in Missouri? The journey to becoming a certified school psychologist involves several key steps, each designed to ensure that professionals are well-prepared to support students' mental health and educational needs. Here's a simplified guide to help you navigate the process.
Initial Student Services Certificate
The first step in your journey is obtaining the initial student services certificate, which is valid for four years. Here’s what you need to do:
- Complete a specialist or equivalent degree with a major emphasis in school psychology (minimum of 60 graduate semester hours).
- Get a recommendation for certification from the designated official of a university approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
- Finish a planned program of practicum experiences and a supervised internship equivalent to one academic year (at least 1,200 hours, with half completed in an educational setting).
- Pass the School Psychologist (5402) Exam with a score of 147 or higher.
Career Continuous Student Services Certificate
Once you’ve gained experience, you can apply for the career continuous student services certificate. Requirements include:
- Four years of state-approved school psychologist experience.
- Participation in two years of district-provided mentoring.
- Development and completion of a professional development plan with at least 40 contact hours or three semester hours of graduate credit.
- Successful participation in an annual performance-based evaluation.
School Psychological Examiner Certificate
Missouri also offers a school psychological examiner certificate, valid for four years. Requirements include:
- A master’s degree in counseling psychology, educational psychology, school counseling, or education with specific coursework in psychology, development, measurement, and individual assessment.
- Completion of a course in Psychology and/or Education of the Exceptional Child.
- Recommendation for certification from an approved Psychological Examiner preparation program.
- A minimum of 24 graduate semester hours.
- Successful completion of a supervised internship or field experience in school psychological assessment (at least 150 hours).
Provisional Credential
If you’re still completing your degree, you can apply for a two-year, non-renewable provisional certificate. This allows you to complete your internship in Missouri but requires you to finish your degree within two years to apply for initial certification.
Continuing Education Requirements
To maintain your certification, you need to meet continuing education requirements:
- For the initial student services certificate: 40 hours of professional development, an annual performance evaluation, and two years of mentoring.
- For the career continuous student services certificate: Participation in a performance-based evaluation system and 20 contact hours of professional development each year, or a professional development plan with the school and meeting at least two of the following:
- 10 years of state-approved school psychologist experience.
- An education specialist degree in school psychology or a closely related field.
- NCSP certification.
Scope of Practice
School psychologists with the SEA credential can provide services in public schools (K-12) as well as early childhood and pre-K settings. However, this credential does not allow for private practice outside the schools. To practice outside of schools, you must apply through the Committee of Psychologists of the Missouri Division of Professional Registration.
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