MS in Educational Psychology

The field of educational psychology allows students to study how people learn. Often, programs focus on gifted or disabled children, though educational psychology applies to all children and also adults. Educational psychology is a great field to pursue if students are interested in getting into teaching, guidance counseling, or counseling for children. Most often, this field is pursued by people who are interested in working as a school psychologist, though this degree could lead to most jobs in developmental psychology, parenting practices, child/adolescent psychopathy, and other related fields. Job settings typically include private practices, schools, and community centers.

Steps Toward an MS in Educational Psychology

To become an educational psychologist, requirements vary significantly by state. Successful students typically complete the following steps:

1. Earn proper undergraduate degree (requirements vary by state). Common undergraduate degrees include Bachelor of Science programs in education, psychology or human services.
2. Earn proper graduate degrees (requirements vary by state) from an accredited institution like Purdue, Liberty, or Walden University. Typically includes completing a Master of Science degree with a concentration in educational psychology.
3. Obtain proper licensure. Licensure requirements differ greatly by state, occupational specialty, and work setting.

Professionals in the field should consider membership with Division 15 of the American Psychological Association, the flagship division for Educational Psychology. Membership benefits include subscriptions to various publications, access to an online forum, networking opportunities, and advanced career opportunities.

My Degree and What It’s Worth

An educational psychologist is typically responsible for the following job duties:

• Study how people learn in educational settings and attempt to improve upon current educational methods.
• Focus on curriculum development, instructional design, and educational technology.
• Research learning disorders and interventions.
• Offer case management support and guidance, if employed at a school.

Annual salary varies within the profession based on specific type of job, location, and experience. For more on your earning potential as an educational psychologist, please visit our salary outlook for counselors page.

Online MS in Educational Psychology Degree Programs

• Bradley University: MA in Counseling – Professional School Counseling
• Wake Forest University: MA in Counseling – School Counseling
• Walden University: MS in Educational Psychology

Closely Related Programs

The following degrees are closely related to a master’s degree program in educational psychology, often allowing you to pursue a career in this field or others:

• MS in Applied Psychology
• MS in Child Psychology
• MEd or MS in School Counseling
• MS in School Psychology