Children

Careers with Children:

Options for Psychology Majors

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL FIELDS

Comprehensive Science & Arts For Teaching (CSAT)

Typical Tasks:

 Work with children and youth who

have a variety of disabilities

 Modify general education curriculum

to meet the child’s individual needs

 Individualized instruction, problem

solving assignments, small group

work

Employment Settings:

 Public or Private Schools

Elementary

Middle

High

 Resource Rooms

 Residential Facilities

Education Requirements:

 The Psychology Special Education Major will allow

students to obtain the skills necessary for a career in

special education. Upon completion of the program a

license will be required in all states. Some states may

require a master’s degree.

 For more information please visit:

http://catalog.gvsu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=25&poid=

4451

School Psychologist

Typical Tasks:

 Work directly with children and their

families to help resolve problems in

adjustment and learning

 Collaborate with teachers, parents and

school personnel

 Assess academic skills and aptitude

for learning

 Determine social-emotional

development and mental health status

 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

Education Requirements:

 An educational specialist degree is required for work as a

school psychologist. The National Association of School

Psychologists (NASP) approves schools throughout the

states. Upon graduating from a NASP approved

program, graduates may become nationally certified as a

school psychologist after completing an internship and

passing the national school psychology examination.

States tend to vary in their certification process.

 For more information visit: http://www.nasponline.org/

School Guidance Counselor

Typical Tasks:

 Evaluate children’s strengths,

problematic behavior, or special needs

 Help students to understand and deal

with social, behavioral, and personal

problems

 Provide special services, including

alcohol/drug prevention programs and

conflict resolution classes

 Interact with students individually, in

small groups, or with classes

Settings:

 Public and Private Schools

Elementary

Middle

High

Education Requirements:

 A master’s degree is required to become a licensed

counselor, as well as a state school counseling

certification. Some states may also require a teaching

certificate and some teaching experience. Employers

may prefer an education from a school accredited by the

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related

Educational Programs (CACREP).

 For more information visit: www.cacrep.org

School Social Worker

Typical Tasks:

 Provide social services and assistance

to improve the social and

psychological functioning of children

and their families

 Address issues such as misbehavior,

frequent absences, substance abuse,

and advise teachers on how to cope

with students

 Teach workshops

Settings:

 Public and Private Schools

Elementary

Middle

High

Education Requirements:

 A master’s degree in Social Work with School Social

Work Certification will prepare students for work in this

field. Employers may prefer an education from a school

accredited by the Council for Social Work Education

(CSWE). A bachelor’s degree in social work is not

required for most MSW programs.

 For more information visit: www.cswe.org

Children’s Librarian

Typical Tasks:

 Assist children and parents in finding

information they need

 Coordinate programs such as

storytelling

 Compile materials, analyze

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

Education Requirements:

 A master’s degree in library science is usually required;

employers may prefer an education from a school

accredited by the American Library Association. There

is no specific bachelor’s degree required.

 For more information visit: http://www.ala.org/

MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE FIELDS

Child Psychologist

Typical Tasks:

 Provide psychological services to

children and families

 Assessment, Intervention, Prevention,

Consultation

 Individual, family, or group

psychotherapy

Settings:

 Private Practice

 Mental Health Clinics

 Family Health Centers

 Pediatric Hospitals

 Advocacy Organizations

 Universities

Education Requirements:

 A Ph.D. or Psy.D. is required to be fully licensed as a

clinical or counseling psychologist. These programs

typically take 5-7 years. The American Psychological

Association (APA) accredits these programs. An

undergraduate degree in psychology will help students

obtain the educational background necessary for these

programs.

 For more information visit:

http://www.apa.org/students

Medical Social Worker

Typical Tasks:

 Provide children and families with the

psychosocial support needed to cope

with chronic, acute, or terminal

illnesses

 Advise family caregivers, counsel

patients, and help plan for patients’

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

Education Requirements:

 A master’s degree in Social Work will prepare students

for work in this field. Employers may prefer an

education from a school accredited by the Council for

Social Work Education (CSWE). A bachelor’s degree in

social work is not required for MSW programs.

 For more information visit: www.cswe.org

Child Life Specialist

Typical Tasks:

 Help reduce the stress and anxiety that

many children experience in hospital

and healthcare settings

 Prepare children for and assist during

medical tests and procedures through

education, rehearsal, and the

development of coping skills

 Support families during

hospitalization or challenges

Settings:

 Hospitals

 Pediatric Physician and Dental

Outpatient Clinics

 Counseling Clinics

Education Requirements:

 To become a Certified Child Life Specialist candidates

must complete an internship, as well as an application

and examination. Child Life Specialists tend to have

undergraduate degrees in psychology and other related

fields.

 For more information visit: www.childlife.org

Pediatric Rehabilitation Counselor

Typical Tasks:

 Counsel children with disabilities

resulting from birth defects, illness or

disease, or accidents

 Addresses the personal, social, and

academic aspects of the disability

 Evaluate school and medical reports

with physicians, psychologists,

therapists, etc. to determine the

capabilities and skills of the child

Settings:

 Public and Private Establishments

 Healthcare Facilities

 Rehabilitation Centers

 Residential Care Facilities

 Pediatric Hospitals

Education Requirements:

 A master’s degree will be required by many states to be

licensed as a counselor. Employers may prefer an

education from a school accredited by the Council for

Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational

Programs (CACREP) and/or accredited by the Council

on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). CORE accredits

counseling programs with specialty areas in rehabilitation

counseling. A certification for rehabilitation counselors

is offered by the Commission on Rehabilitation

Counselor Certification. It is important to be aware that

each state will have different educational, training, and

licensing requirements.

 For more information visit: http://www.cacrep.org/

and/or http://www.core-rehab.org/

Occupational Therapist

Typical Tasks:

 Evaluate children’s abilities,

recommend and provide therapy,

modify classroom equipment, and

help children participate as fully as

possible in school programs and

activities

 Work with children who have

conditions that are mentally,

physically, developmentally, or

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

Education Requirements:

 An accredited master’s program in Occupational Therapy

will prepare students for a career in this field. Upon

completion of the program, students must pass a national

certification examination to obtain their license. An

undergraduate psychology major with additional

prerequisite courses will prepare students for graduate

study.

 For more information please visit:

http://www.gvsu.edu/ot/ and/or http://www.aota.org/

Marriage and Family Therapist

Typical Tasks:

 Apply principles, methods, and

therapeutic techniques to individuals,

families, couples, or organizations in

order to resolve emotional conflicts.

Education Requirements:

 A master’s degree will be required by many states to be

licensed as a therapist. It is important to note that each

state may have different educational, training, and

licensing requirements. Marriage and family therapy

 Modify people’s perceptions and

behaviors, enhance communication

and understanding among family

members, and help to prevent family

and individual crises

Settings:

 Individual and Family Social Service

Agencies

 Therapeutic Communities

 Community Centers

programs may be accredited by the Council for

Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational

Programs or the Commission on Accreditation of

Marriage and Family Therapy Education

 For more information visit: http://www.cacrep.org/

and/or http://www.aamft.org/

Mental Health Counselor

Typical Tasks:

 Work with individuals, families, and

groups to address and treat mental and

emotional disorders and to promote

optimum mental health

 Mental health counselors often work

closely with other mental health

specialists, such as psychiatrists,

psychologists, clinical social workers,

psychiatric nurses, and school

counselors

Settings:

 Individual and Family Social Service

Agencies

 Therapeutic Communities

 Community Centers

Education Requirements:

 A master’s degree will be required by many states to be

licensed as a counselor. It is important to be aware that

each state will have different educational, training, and

licensing requirements. Many graduate counselor

education programs have specializations in mental health.

Employers may prefer an education from a school

accredited by the Council for Accreditation of

Counseling and Related Educational Programs

(CACREP).

 For more information visit: http://www.cacrep.org/

Speech-Language Pathologist

Typical Tasks:

 Assess, diagnose, treat, and help to

prevent speech, language, cognitive-

communication, voice, swallowing,

fluency, and other related disorders

 Speech-language pathologists develop

an individualized plan of care, tailored

to each patient’s needs

Settings:

 Elementary and Secondary Schools

 Hospitals

 Nursing Care Facilities

 Home Health Care Services

 Outpatient Care Centers

Education Requirements:

 A master’s degree in speech-language pathology is

required for work in this field. An undergraduate degree

in speech-language pathology is favored, however

psychology majors will be considered. Graduate

programs may admit students provided they complete

undergraduate deficiency courses.

 For more information please visit

http://www.gvsu.edu/hpr/slp-18.htm and/or

http://www.asha.org/careers/

Art Therapist

Typical Tasks:

 Uses the creative process of art

making to improve and enhance the

physical, mental and emotional well-

being of individuals of all ages

 Integrate human development, visual

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

Education Requirements:

 An art therapist typically completes a master’s program

in art therapy. There is no specific undergraduate major

requirement however most programs require courses in

psychology and studio art.

 For more information visit: http://www.arttherapy.org/

Adoption Counselor

Typical Tasks:

 Adoption counselors assist families

and individuals hoping to adopt

 They may provide facilitation

services, advice, information, and

other services

Settings:

 Family Social Service Agencies

 Community Agencies and Non-Profit

Settings

Education Requirements:

 Various degrees will help an individual prepare for a

career as an adoption counselor/therapist.

 These degree’s include:

Marriage and Family Therapist

Masters in Social Work

Caseworker

Typical Tasks:

 Assess clients various needs such as

housing, clothing, food, etc.

 Links clients to resources within their

community to help meet the needs of

the client

Settings:

 Individual and Family Social Service

Agencies

 Community Centers

 Non-Profit Agencies

Education Requirements:

 A bachelor’s degree in psychology will prepare students

to work as a case worker. Depending upon the position

and agency, a master’s degree might be favored.

Group Home Worker

Typical Tasks:

 Supervision of residents

 Mentoring and counseling residents

Settings:

 Youth Group Homes

 Residential Treatment Centers

Education Requirements:

 A bachelor’s degree in psychology will prepare students

to work as a group home worker. Depending upon the

position a master’s might be favored. For example a

director’s position might require a master’s degree.

Child Welfare/Protection Social Worker

Typical Tasks:

 Provide social services and assistance

to improve the social and

psychological functioning of children

and their families

 Help find foster homes for neglected,

abandoned, or abused children

Settings:

 Individual and Family Social Service

Agencies

 Schools

 State or local governments.

Education Requirements:

 A bachelor’s degree in psychology will allow for some

work within this field depending on the position and

agency. Many of the positions will require a master’s

degree in Social Work. Employers may prefer an

education from a school accredited by the Council for

Social Work Education (CSWE). A bachelor’s degree in

social work is not required for MSW programs.

 For more information view:

http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/career/child-

welfare-social-worker.html

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