Hello Everyone,
I've scoured the forum looking for an answer to a series of questions I have but I decided it was more appropriate to ask directly. I would appreciate any help.
I'm currently completing a masters degree in school psychology in Los Angeles, will be done June of 2010. I've looked into whether France recognizes the profession, it does but the criteria for granting employment to someone as a school psychologist differs from the American standard. I have a BA in Psychology, this is actually a requirement in France. And I'm in the process of completing a masters degree which is three years long, the last year is a full year internship practicing the profession under supervision. In France, after completing the BA in Psychology, an individual must work as a teacher for 3 years and then complete a certification program in psychologie scolaire with a short 160 hour internship. THe masters I'm completing, requires I do a 1200 Hour internship.
However, I've read that it is very possible to find employment with a masters degree provided that there is an opening and you are competent in the French language. There is a huge shortage of school psychologists in France. How likely is it that I can find a job as a school psychologist, assuming I am proficient in French?
My wife and I would like to move to Paris, permanently, in three years. By then, we will have 2 children, or so we hope.
I've read about the Compétences et Talents Card which allows you to live in France provided that you have something to offer the nation. I'm thinking that school psychology would qualify because it is a professional job that is only attainable after the completion of a masters program. The service I would provide is psycho-educational assistance to children with learning disabilities or behavioral problems in the school. Assuming I qualify for the card and besides being allowed to live in France, what other benefits does the card offer? Will I still be required to pay for private health insurance for 5 yrs before I can petition to become a citizen?
My wife may also qualify for the card because she is an artist, she has a masters in fine arts from a good university in Los Angeles (where we are from). In the United States, she is qualified to teach at a university or college. What are her options in France as far as employment goes?
If the card is not appropriate and we are offered employment in France, we can then apply the normal route with work visas which must be renewed along with paying for insurance on our own?
Lastly, assuming we can find employment and are allowed to live in the wonderful country that is France, is it possible for a family of four to live on a salary of 3500 Euros a month? I've read a psychologue scolaire starts earning 2000 Euros a month while a teacher can earn 1500 a month. Is this an adequate amount of salary for a small family? We would like to purchase a home in the outskirts of Paris, preferably Noisy le Grand or Champigny sur Marne, where homes are 350.000 with three bedrooms.
As far as getting private health insurance if we are obligated to, what is the average cost a month for insurance? Does it have to be american insurance coverage?
Any help on any of this would greatly be appreciated. I've been to France twice and each time the desire of living there is stronger. My wife and I visited last December and enjoyed it immensely.
Thank you,
Camilo
There is an article that states the normal route to accreditation can be circumvented if you are highly qualified and there is a need OR if you hold a higher level masters with an internship experience. I can provide the link if it helps. Also, to other pages I have found with general information on how to become a school psychologist in France.
I've scoured the forum looking for an answer to a series of questions I have but I decided it was more appropriate to ask directly. I would appreciate any help.
I'm currently completing a masters degree in school psychology in Los Angeles, will be done June of 2010. I've looked into whether France recognizes the profession, it does but the criteria for granting employment to someone as a school psychologist differs from the American standard. I have a BA in Psychology, this is actually a requirement in France. And I'm in the process of completing a masters degree which is three years long, the last year is a full year internship practicing the profession under supervision. In France, after completing the BA in Psychology, an individual must work as a teacher for 3 years and then complete a certification program in psychologie scolaire with a short 160 hour internship. THe masters I'm completing, requires I do a 1200 Hour internship.
However, I've read that it is very possible to find employment with a masters degree provided that there is an opening and you are competent in the French language. There is a huge shortage of school psychologists in France. How likely is it that I can find a job as a school psychologist, assuming I am proficient in French?
My wife and I would like to move to Paris, permanently, in three years. By then, we will have 2 children, or so we hope.
I've read about the Compétences et Talents Card which allows you to live in France provided that you have something to offer the nation. I'm thinking that school psychology would qualify because it is a professional job that is only attainable after the completion of a masters program. The service I would provide is psycho-educational assistance to children with learning disabilities or behavioral problems in the school. Assuming I qualify for the card and besides being allowed to live in France, what other benefits does the card offer? Will I still be required to pay for private health insurance for 5 yrs before I can petition to become a citizen?
My wife may also qualify for the card because she is an artist, she has a masters in fine arts from a good university in Los Angeles (where we are from). In the United States, she is qualified to teach at a university or college. What are her options in France as far as employment goes?
If the card is not appropriate and we are offered employment in France, we can then apply the normal route with work visas which must be renewed along with paying for insurance on our own?
Lastly, assuming we can find employment and are allowed to live in the wonderful country that is France, is it possible for a family of four to live on a salary of 3500 Euros a month? I've read a psychologue scolaire starts earning 2000 Euros a month while a teacher can earn 1500 a month. Is this an adequate amount of salary for a small family? We would like to purchase a home in the outskirts of Paris, preferably Noisy le Grand or Champigny sur Marne, where homes are 350.000 with three bedrooms.
As far as getting private health insurance if we are obligated to, what is the average cost a month for insurance? Does it have to be american insurance coverage?
Any help on any of this would greatly be appreciated. I've been to France twice and each time the desire of living there is stronger. My wife and I visited last December and enjoyed it immensely.
Thank you,
Camilo
There is an article that states the normal route to accreditation can be circumvented if you are highly qualified and there is a need OR if you hold a higher level masters with an internship experience. I can provide the link if it helps. Also, to other pages I have found with general information on how to become a school psychologist in France.