School Psychologists’ Training in Prevention: A Survey of Program Directors

Abstract

In the present study, 49 directors of NASP-approved specialist-level training programs responded to a survey regarding their program’s training in prevention and identified the skills they perceived that school psychologists need to serve as leaders and team members in school-based prevention programs. Overall, for programs represented in this survey, the areas of prevention in which school psychologists receive the most training are: academic/learning problems, behavioral/emotional disturbance, suicide/depression, bullying, and violence/aggression. These areas were frequently rated as the most covered in coursework and field experiences. The areas that received the least amount of coverage in coursework and field experiences included pregnancy, physical injury, obesity, smoking, and rape/date violence. School psychologists need a broad knowledge-base in prevention science and across a range of specific problem areas along with program evaluation and consultation skills.