Careers with Children: Options for Psychology Majors

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL FIELDS Comprehensive Science & Arts For Teaching (CSAT) Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Work with children and youth who  The Psychology Special Education Major will allow have a variety of disabilities students to obtain the skills necessary for a career in  Modify general education curriculum special education. Upon completion of the program a to meet the child’s individual needs license will be required in all states. Some states may  Individualized instruction, problem require a master’s degree. solving assignments, small group  For more information please visit: work http://catalog.gvsu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=25&poid= Employment Settings: 4451  Public or Private Schools

Elementary Middle High  Resource Rooms  Residential Facilities School Psychologist Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Work directly with children and their  An educational specialist degree is required for work as a families to help resolve problems in school psychologist. The National Association of School adjustment and learning Psychologists (NASP) approves schools throughout the  Collaborate with teachers, parents and states. Upon graduating from a NASP approved school personnel program, graduates may become nationally certified as a  Assess academic skills and aptitude school psychologist after completing an internship and for learning passing the national school psychology examination.  Determine social-emotional States tend to vary in their certification process. development and mental health status  For more information visit: http://www.nasponline.org/  Help families and schools manage crises such as death, illness, or community trauma Settings:  Public and Private Schools Elementary Middle High  Private Practices  Universities  Community and State Agencies

School Guidance Counselor Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Evaluate children’s strengths,  A master’s degree is required to become a licensed problematic behavior, or special needs counselor, as well as a state school counseling  Help students to understand and deal certification. Some states may also require a teaching with social, behavioral, and personal certificate and some teaching experience. Employers problems may prefer an education from a school accredited by the  Provide special services, including Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related alcohol/drug prevention programs and Educational Programs (CACREP). conflict resolution classes  For more information visit: www.cacrep.org  Interact with students individually, in small groups, or with classes Settings:  Public and Private Schools Elementary Middle High School Social Worker Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Provide social services and assistance  A master’s degree in Social Work with School Social to improve the social and Work Certification will prepare students for work in this psychological functioning of children field. Employers may prefer an education from a school and their families accredited by the Council for Social Work Education  Address issues such as misbehavior, (CSWE). A bachelor’s degree in social work is not frequent absences, substance abuse, required for most MSW programs. and advise teachers on how to cope  For more information visit: www.cswe.org with students  Teach workshops Settings:  Public and Private Schools Elementary Middle High Children’s Librarian Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Assist children and parents in finding  A master’s degree in library science is usually required; information they need employers may prefer an education from a school  Coordinate programs such as accredited by the American Library Association. There storytelling is no specific bachelor’s degree required.  Compile materials, analyze  For more information visit: http://www.ala.org/ collections, and recommend materials  Oversee management of the library, contracts for services, materials, equipment, supervise employees, fundraising, budgets, etc. Settings:  Schools or Academic Libraries  Public Libraries  Private Facilities MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE FIELDS

Child Psychologist Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Provide psychological services to  A Ph.D. or Psy.D. is required to be fully licensed as a children and families clinical or counseling psychologist. These programs  Assessment, Intervention, Prevention, typically take 5-7 years. The American Psychological Consultation Association (APA) accredits these programs. An  Individual, family, or group undergraduate degree in psychology will help students psychotherapy obtain the educational background necessary for these Settings: programs.  Private Practice  For more information visit:  Mental Health Clinics http://www.apa.org/students  Family Health Centers  Pediatric Hospitals  Advocacy Organizations  Universities Medical Social Worker Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Provide children and families with the  A master’s degree in Social Work will prepare students psychosocial support needed to cope for work in this field. Employers may prefer an with chronic, acute, or terminal education from a school accredited by the Council for illnesses Social Work Education (CSWE). A bachelor’s degree in  Advise family caregivers, counsel social work is not required for MSW programs. patients, and help plan for patients’  For more information visit: www.cswe.org needs after discharge by arranging for at-home services, from meals-on- wheels to oxygen equipment.  Work on interdisciplinary teams that evaluate patients Settings:  Pediatric Hospitals  Nursing or Personal Care Facilities  Individual and Family Services Agencies Child Life Specialist Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Help reduce the stress and anxiety that  To become a Certified Child Life Specialist candidates many children experience in hospital must complete an internship, as well as an application and healthcare settings and examination. Child Life Specialists tend to have  Prepare children for and assist during undergraduate degrees in psychology and other related medical tests and procedures through fields. education, rehearsal, and the  For more information visit: www.childlife.org development of coping skills  Support families during hospitalization or challenges Settings:  Hospitals  Pediatric Physician and Dental Outpatient Clinics  Counseling Clinics Pediatric Rehabilitation Counselor Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Counsel children with disabilities  A master’s degree will be required by many states to be resulting from birth defects, illness or licensed as a counselor. Employers may prefer an disease, or accidents education from a school accredited by the Council for  Addresses the personal, social, and Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational academic aspects of the disability Programs (CACREP) and/or accredited by the Council  Evaluate school and medical reports on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). CORE accredits with physicians, psychologists, counseling programs with specialty areas in rehabilitation therapists, etc. to determine the counseling. A certification for rehabilitation counselors capabilities and skills of the child is offered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Settings: Counselor Certification. It is important to be aware that  Public and Private Establishments each state will have different educational, training, and  Healthcare Facilities licensing requirements.  Rehabilitation Centers  For more information visit: http://www.cacrep.org/  Residential Care Facilities and/or http://www.core-rehab.org/  Pediatric Hospitals

Occupational Therapist Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Evaluate children’s abilities,  An accredited master’s program in Occupational Therapy recommend and provide therapy, will prepare students for a career in this field. Upon modify classroom equipment, and completion of the program, students must pass a national help children participate as fully as certification examination to obtain their license. An possible in school programs and undergraduate psychology major with additional activities prerequisite courses will prepare students for graduate  Work with children who have study. conditions that are mentally,  For more information please visit: physically, developmentally, or http://www.gvsu.edu/ot/ and/or http://www.aota.org/ emotionally disabling  Specific therapies may include facilitating the use of the hands, promoting skills for listening and following directions, fostering social play skills, or teaching dressing and grooming skills. Settings:  Hospitals  Public and Private Educational Facilities  Nursing Care Facilities  Home Health Care Services  Outpatient Care Centers

Marriage and Family Therapist Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Apply principles, methods, and  A master’s degree will be required by many states to be therapeutic techniques to individuals, licensed as a therapist. It is important to note that each families, couples, or organizations in state may have different educational, training, and order to resolve emotional conflicts. licensing requirements. Marriage and family therapy  Modify people’s perceptions and programs may be accredited by the Council for behaviors, enhance communication Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational and understanding among family Programs or the Commission on Accreditation of members, and help to prevent family Marriage and Family Therapy Education and individual crises  For more information visit: http://www.cacrep.org/ Settings: and/or http://www.aamft.org/  Individual and Family Social Service Agencies  Therapeutic Communities  Community Centers Mental Health Counselor Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Work with individuals, families, and  A master’s degree will be required by many states to be groups to address and treat mental and licensed as a counselor. It is important to be aware that emotional disorders and to promote each state will have different educational, training, and optimum mental health licensing requirements. Many graduate counselor  Mental health counselors often work education programs have specializations in mental health. closely with other mental health Employers may prefer an education from a school specialists, such as psychiatrists, accredited by the Council for Accreditation of psychologists, clinical social workers, Counseling and Related Educational Programs psychiatric nurses, and school (CACREP). counselors  For more information visit: http://www.cacrep.org/ Settings:  Individual and Family Social Service Agencies  Therapeutic Communities  Community Centers Speech-Language Pathologist Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Assess, diagnose, treat, and help to  A master’s degree in speech-language pathology is prevent speech, language, cognitive- required for work in this field. An undergraduate degree communication, voice, swallowing, in speech-language pathology is favored, however fluency, and other related disorders psychology majors will be considered. Graduate  Speech-language pathologists develop programs may admit students provided they complete an individualized plan of care, tailored undergraduate deficiency courses. to each patient’s needs  For more information please visit Settings: http://www.gvsu.edu/hpr/slp-18.htm and/or  Elementary and Secondary Schools http://www.asha.org/careers/  Hospitals  Nursing Care Facilities  Home Health Care Services  Outpatient Care Centers Art Therapist Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Uses the creative process of art  An art therapist typically completes a master’s program making to improve and enhance the in art therapy. There is no specific undergraduate major physical, mental and emotional well- requirement however most programs require courses in being of individuals of all ages psychology and studio art.  Integrate human development, visual  For more information visit: http://www.arttherapy.org/ art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy Settings:  Hospitals and Clinics  Out-Patient Mental Health Clinic  Residential Treatment Centers  Community Agencies and Non-Profit Settings  Schools, Colleges, and Universities  Private Practice Adoption Counselor Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Adoption counselors assist families  Various degrees will help an individual prepare for a and individuals hoping to adopt career as an adoption counselor/therapist.  They may provide facilitation  These degree’s include: services, advice, information, and Marriage and Family Therapist other services Masters in Social Work Settings:  Family Social Service Agencies  Community Agencies and Non-Profit Settings Caseworker Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Assess clients various needs such as  A bachelor’s degree in psychology will prepare students housing, clothing, food, etc. to work as a case worker. Depending upon the position  Links clients to resources within their and agency, a master’s degree might be favored. community to help meet the needs of the client Settings:  Individual and Family Social Service Agencies  Community Centers  Non-Profit Agencies Group Home Worker Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Supervision of residents  A bachelor’s degree in psychology will prepare students  Mentoring and counseling residents to work as a group home worker. Depending upon the Settings: position a master’s might be favored. For example a  Youth Group Homes director’s position might require a master’s degree.  Residential Treatment Centers Child Welfare/Protection Social Worker Typical Tasks: Education Requirements:  Provide social services and assistance  A bachelor’s degree in psychology will allow for some to improve the social and work within this field depending on the position and psychological functioning of children agency. Many of the positions will require a master’s and their families degree in Social Work. Employers may prefer an  Help find foster homes for neglected, education from a school accredited by the Council for abandoned, or abused children Social Work Education (CSWE). A bachelor’s degree in Settings: social work is not required for MSW programs.  Individual and Family Social Service  For more information view: Agencies http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/career/child-  Schools welfare-social-worker.html  State or local governments.

The information above was retrieved from: www.bls.gov