Upending the Shortages Crisis: A National Survey of School Psychology Recruitment

School psychology is experiencing a shortages crisis. There is also lack of national data regarding current recruitment practices. Understanding these practices is essential to overcome these personnel shortages. In this national study, 151 school psychology programs within the US and its territories were surveyed. Participants were chosen from a national comprehensive list of school psychology programs compiled by the research team. The survey was created through a detailed review of relevant literature and distributed by email using Qualtrics. Various recruitment strategy domains were examined. Findings suggest that program representatives perceived program location to be most important and program cost the least important for students choosing their programs. Furthermore, respondents indicated a general consensus regarding the importance of establishing a recruitment pipeline. Moreover, programs within smaller communities appeared to be more involved in recruitment pipeline efforts. Descriptives for recruitment strategy domains are presented and implications are discussed. Impact and Implications School psychology is experiencing a severe personnel shortage. Findings suggest that recruitment within school psychology is largely passive, and few efforts are being made to invest into strategic recruitment. Study findings may help to improve recruitment, thus, lessening personnel shortages.

Automated summary

School psychology is currently facing a severe personnel shortage. The recruitment process within this field is mainly passive, with little strategic recruitment efforts being made. Findings indicate that program location is considered the most important factor for students choosing a program, while program cost is deemed the least important. Establishing a recruitment pipeline is seen as crucial, and programs in smaller communities are more actively involved in recruiting efforts.