The role involves a systemic approach to assessment, education, and intervention. Student progress must be measured accurately and with the highest and most current levels of professional knowledge. Educational decision-making is based fundamentally on current best practice, assessment results, and legal and ethical guidelines. Thus decisions are made on solid, verifiable knowledge and grounded in professional guidelines. School psychologists are leaders of teams where critical educational decisions regarding students are made.
School psychologists are excellent resource persons for referral in the community.
The School Psychology program is grounded in the mission of the School of Education and the University. In a practical sense this means that individuals earning certification as school psychologists from Seattle Pacific University will be persons of highest integrity and ethical behavior. In each of the aforementioned areas, the program emphasizes the role of research in the knowledge and evaluation of programs that will help students succeed. It is a performance-based program in that students are required to demonstrate high standards of knowledge and skills. Students completing this program will be able to assist students in achieving the Washington state learning goals.