Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a School Psychologist
What school psychologists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a school psychologist?
Give a cognitive test to a third grader. From there, the day usually includes assess students for special education, write psychological reports, and take part in IEP meetings. School-year schedule with summers often off.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a school psychologist working full time.
- Give a cognitive test to a third grader.
- Score and interpret results.
- Observe a student in class.
- Lead a social skills group.
- Attend an IEP meeting.
- Consult with a teacher on behavior.
- Write a report.
Where school psychologists work
School psychologists work in schools, often traveling between several buildings.
Hours and schedule
School-year schedule with summers often off.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Assess students for special education
- Write psychological reports
- Take part in IEP meetings
- Design behavior plans
- Counsel students
- Consult with teachers and parents
- Respond to crises
Tools you’ll use every day
- Cognitive and achievement tests
- Behavior rating scales
- IEP software
- Scoring software
- Observation forms
- Progress monitoring tools
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Help kids directly
- School calendar
- Strong demand in many states
- Varied work
What’s hard
- Heavy caseloads
- Lots of report writing
- Legal deadlines
- Emotionally hard cases
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I care about kids
- I like testing and data
- I can write clear reports
- I stay calm in a crisis
- I want a school schedule
- I’m willing to do graduate school
Not sure? Take the free School Psychologist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow mandatory reporting laws
- Follow threat assessment procedures
- Protect confidential records
- Use test materials securely