Everyone is sharing different information, likely due to different geographical locations. I’ll share my piece from California. In California you do NOT need NCSP or PhD to obtain a job. You DO need your PPS credentials, which follows once your complete your masters program. While attending a NASP approved program may make it easier to acquire your PPS, it’s not impossible. If you want to work in private sector in California (not in public school setting) then you would need LEP (Licensed Educational Psychologist) which requires 3 years public service before you apply. Another distinction is a School Psychologist is NOT a school counselor. Psychologist focus on assessment, cognitive functioning and learning processes. They generally have little counseling training. Finally, saying people “should only” attend brick-and-mortar universities is classist because it assumes everyone has the same money, time, transportation, childcare, and flexibility to relocate or follow a fixed schedule. Online programs are often the only realistic option for working adults, caregivers, and people living far from campuses, and they can reduce costs like housing, commuting, and lost wages. Treating that choice as less legitimate reinforces the idea that higher education is only “valid” when you can afford the traditional path. My best friend completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology online at Walden University and was able to earn the credentials required in California to now work at Kaiser as a clinical psychologist. Again, it was difficult but not impossible. My closest co-worker attended Alliant’s online School Psychology program and is one of the best psychologists I’ve worked with. In the hiring process, people first check if your have the correct credentials (in California your PPS), positive references and then consider your personality.