recruiting strategies: enlisting tomorrow’s school psychologists many recognize the need for...
TRANSCRIPT
Recruiting strategies: Enlisting tomorrow’s school psychologists
Many recognize the need for recruiting more school psychology candidates but the literature on accomplishing this is lacking.
We describe the results of a series of focus groups and a national survey of candidates regarding recruitment practices.
The implementation and impact of having a school psychology graduate assistant visit regional universities will be explored.
A Little Background
Three year program 3 faculty FTEs Regional applicants Cohort size of 7 to 15
Financial concerns Admission criteria
A Little Background
Old Recruiting practices Open house Word of mouth
Newer recruiting practices Brochure Radio Webpage E-mails to GRE takers Student presentations
What do we know about recruitment?
Limited research exists regarding: undergraduates’ awareness and
understanding of school psychology what factors influence them to enter
the field graduate programs’ recruiting
strategies
What do we know about recruitment?
School psychology related content makes up less than 2% of the total content found in introductory psychology textbooks
(Lucas, Raley, Washington, & Blazek, 2005)
What do we know about recruitment?
Undergraduate students were significantly less familiar with school psychology compared to both clinical and counseling psychology
Stark-Wrobleski, Wiggins, & Ryan (2006)
What do we know about recruitment?
Inaccurate perceptions regarding school psychologists’ roles:
undergraduate psychology majors reported that clinical psychologists engage in individual therapy, assessment, consultation, and research significantly more than school psychologists.
nearly 50% of students who reported being likely to apply to a clinical psychology graduate program expressed a desire to work with children and families as their reason for choosing the clinical psychology discipline.
(Gilman & Handwerk, 2001)
What do we know about recruitment?
Much of undergraduate students’ knowledge of school psychology comes from direct contact with someone working in the field or through meeting someone who has had such contact.
(Gilman & Handwerk, 2001)
What do we know about recruitment?
Survey on factors that influence students to pursue graduate training in school psychology 307 NASP student members 92.2% wanted to work with children The majority wanted to work in public schools
(work schedule, salary, and job stability) undergraduate university had a graduate program
in school psychology psychology or education faculty member influential
in their career choices Graves & Wright (2007)
Current Methods - Survey Results
Faculty/Trainer Survey (78) - Survey developed from focus group of five school
psychology trainers. - Sent to school psychology trainers via trainer’s
listserv. - Majority of training programs actively recruit
candidates. - Primary means are Website and Brochure.
Current Methods - Survey Results
Current Methods - Survey Results
Student Survey (375)- Developed from focus group of 1st and 2nd year school
psychology graduate students.
- Sent to trainer listserv and distributed to students.- Approx. 25% of respondents learned of program
through alumni/candidate. - Approx. 50% responded that current students are
not involved in recruiting new students.
Current Methods - Survey Results
Current Methods – Focus Groups
What is a Focus Group?
Current Methods – Focus Groups
Group 1: 13 first year EUP students 9 women (69%) 4 men (31%)
Group 2: 8 second year EUP students All women (100%)
Group 3: 32 students from 7 school psychology graduate programs (conducted at ASPP conference)
Recruiting Overview
Develop Program Brochure Develop PowerPoint for Presentation Identify Undergraduate Organizations Develop Database & Contact Gatekeepers Present PowerPoint & Lead Discussion Provide Brochures & Contact Information Encourage Contact with Program Heads Arrange Interview with Program Head
Program Brochure
Role of School Psychologist Graduate Demographics/Locations Highlights of the Program
- Degree Offered - Accreditation- Duration - Evening/Online Courses- Tuition Information - Salary Information
Contact Information Program Website Program Heads Graduate Office
PowerPoint Presentation Role of a school
psychologist Assessment Consultation Prevention Intervention
Nat'l Demographics
Career Opportunity Shortages Salary Comparison
Training OptionsSpecialist v. Doctorate
School Psych at EUP Course Schedule Online Courses Evening Classes Assistantships
How to Apply Program Website Interview
Undergraduate Database
Identify Undergraduate Universities Visit Psychology Program's Website
Identify Gatekeepers
Collect Faculty Information Title Within the Program Email Address Office Phone Number
Create Database Call Log E-mail Log
Undergraduate Organizations
Psychology Clubs Presentation Discussion
Psi Chi Organizations Presentation Discussion
Psychology Majors Open Invitation – Fliers, Email, W-O-M
Psychology Department Display Brochure
Frequently Asked Questions
Difference Between: School Psych & School Counselor School Psych & Child Psychologist
Day in the Life – School Psychologist Hours, Location, Office, etc.
Duration of the Program Where is Edinboro? (Relocation Concerns)
Finances…
Baseline Data - Undergraduate GPA
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Cohorts
Un
der
gra
du
ate
GP
A
(8)
(11)(14)
(10)
(12)(9)
(9)
(11)
(12)
Baseline Data – Test Scores
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Cohorts
GR
E &
MA
T P
erce
nti
le R
ank
GRE Overall %ile
MAT %ile
Linear (GRE Overall%ile)Linear (MAT %ile)
Linear (GRE Overall%ile)
(3)
(4)(8)
(4)(3)
(3)
(8)
(4)
(6)
(6)
(9)
(7)
(9)
(10)
(12)
Questions