Effectiveness of digital recruitment for school psychology graduate program

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Benjamin John Clasen (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Advisor
Ethan Schilling

Abstract: Fueled by many different factors, there exists a shortage of school psychologists in nearly every region of the United States. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has adopted multiple strategies to address professional shortages including increased recruitment among high school and undergraduate students. One recruitment strategy endorsed by NASP is the use of informational PowerPoint presentations to increase the knowledge and interest in the field of school psychology among college students. The present study was conducted to examine if knowledge of and interest in school psychology can be effectively targeted via informational presentations delivered digitally, and to identify aspects of the field which may be most attractive to undergraduate students. Participants were recruited from one university in North Carolina and split into a control and experimental groups. All participants completed a school psychology knowledge questionnaire and reported their level of interest in school psychology before viewing either a presentation on flowers or an adapted form of the NASP approved recruitment PowerPoint. After viewing their respective presentations, participants repeated the knowledge questionnaire and reported their level of interest in school psychology. Finally, participants rated how certain aspects of the field of school psychology influenced their level of interest. Results indicated that the digitally delivered recruitment PowerPoint presentation significantly increase undergraduate knowledge about the field of school psychology but did not significantly influence interest. Results also revealed aspects of the field which undergraduates consistently found attractive, and aspects which had negative impact on interest. Implications of the results and their impact on future research are discussed.

Additional Information

Publication
Other
Language: English
Date: 2021
Subjects
Student counselors
Universities and colleges -- Graduate work -- Student counselors
Student registration
Universities and colleges -- Graduate work -- School psychology
School psychology

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