How to Become an Educational Psychologist – Career Guide

If you are good at critical thinking, research, and the science of education, then pursue an education psychology career. Educational psychologists offer solutions to tackle peer pressure, behavioral problems, and socio-economic challenges in schools across the country. This knowledge and skill caters to family and children’s needs throughout their learning stages.

Employment of educational psychologists in secondary or elementary school settings is currently on the rise. Also, the demand for their services is much higher for practitioners who perform research in universities. In addition, in this field, students have the opportunity to operate in different sectors of the economy.

In this structured article, we will briefly discuss the educational psychology degree. Then career paths, and the educational psychology job outlook for various professions in this field of study. And finally, the steps to take to become an educational psychologist.

Article Navigation: What is Educational Psychology? | Responsibilities of an Educational Psychologist | Skills and Competencies for an Educational Psychologist | Detailed Steps: How to Become an Educational Psychologist | Licensure and Credentialing | Educational Psychologist Career Outlook | What can I do with an Educational Psychology Degree? | Professional Organizations, Associations, and Resources | Frequently Asked Questions | What Next?

What is Educational Psychology?

Educational psychology focuses on how people acquire and retain knowledge in academic settings. The field specifically covers the emotional, social, and cognitive learning processes. Throughout an educational psychologists education, they will study topics such as:

• Psychometrics
• Behavioral and social issues
• Methods of testing & assessment
• Technology in education

Theories of Educational Psychology

The primary educational psychology theories include experientialism, behaviorism, constructivism, cognitive psychology, and social learning theory.

Note: Contemporary Educational Psychology compiles and publishes relevant articles about how psychological science and theory play a role in educational learning.

Educational Psychologists vs. School Psychologists

Graduates may wonder what the difference is between an educational psychologist and a school psychologist. The main distinction between the two professions is patient demographics.

Educational psychologists work with groups including academic and non-academic group members. They engage with students at all academic levels, from early learners to university pupils.

In contrast, a school psychologist’s primary concern is to meet each student’s needs, from early learning through secondary school.

Where do Educational Psychologists Work?

Most educational psychologists work at universities and colleges or K–12 institutions and specialize in youth development. Some people have private practices. In addition, adult learning is an area of specialization serving in institutions offering formal education.

Responsibilities of an Educational Psychologist

The following comprises some of the primary duties of educational psychologists:

Assess data and conduct tests

Educational psychologists are often sought-after to evaluate and remedy curriculum inadequacies in universities with weak test scores. The professional approach is to utilize meticulous research and quantitative analysis. These methods create a comprehensive view of the procedures to identify where existing programs fall short.

Assist teachers

An educational psychologist’s expertise can be helpful in newer school curriculum with untrained or mid-career instructors. Without a doubt, mastering a subject does not equate to fully understanding how to convey it in a teaching setting. To this end, educational psychologists collaborate with instructors. They assist them in introducing fresh initiatives and teaching strategies that enhance the covered subject matter.

Design curriculum

Educational psychologists are excellent curriculum planners because they know the learning environment well. Curriculum designers collaborate with institutions, organizations, and private clients to create and execute innovative academic programs. They also create the ideal learning environment. For example, they examine programs to determine what works well, can be improved, and can be scrapped.

Integrate technology

The present higher education system is immensely dependent on technology. Educational psychologists work with institutions to assess the effectiveness of new instructional technologies and integrate them into the classroom, strengthening learning and teaching performance.

Attend case workshops

Educational psychologists attend case workshops with interdisciplinary teams to discuss how to effectively fulfill the social, behavioral, psychological, and developmental needs of their clients.

Can Educational Psychologists Diagnose Learning Disorders?

Yes. Educational psychologists can assess and diagnose both learning disabilities (such as dyslexia). Additionally, they offer suggestions and come up with plans of action. These plans assist students suffering from learning disorders in overcoming any obstacles hindering their learning and growth.

Skills and Competencies for an Educational Psychologist

Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving is the core function of an educational psychologist. They use this skill in collecting, analyzing, and applying knowledge. For instance, an educational psychologist can help with issues such as why a student is having trouble understanding a specific subject or teaching method.

Empathy

An educational psychologist must be empathetic to understand emotions and respond to them compassionately. The psychologist must be able to empathize with another person while maintaining proper boundaries to avoid taking an emotional view.

Children Advocate Skills

The ability to effectively communicate with the target population is possibly the second most essential quality. Working with children is fundamentally different from engaging with adults. A psychologist must show respect for children and give them certain freedom while acknowledging that they’re at an entirely different growth phase than adults compared to children of similar ages.

Ethical Skills

Educational psychologists must be able to adhere to their profession’s strict ethical code fully. They are dealing with sensitive data and making choices that could significantly affect someone’s life.

Active Listening Skills

It’s essential for educational psychologists since they need correct and valid data to conduct research or provide therapy. A competent educational psychologist must be able to read body language, deduce signs of hesitation or difficulty, and even tell when someone is not being sincere.

Detailed Steps: How to Become an Educational Psychologist

To become a renowned educational psychologist, you must adhere to the following steps. Each step ensures you reach your career’s highest potential. In the next section, we will outline the main steps to follow:

Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor of Arts/Science in Psychology

The first step is earning a BA/BS in psychology from an accredited college. Based on the curriculum adopted at the institution where a student enrolls, candidates have the chance to concentrate on one or more course areas.

Step 2: Internships

During undergraduate studies, it’s crucial that students fully explore internship opportunities to gain further knowledge and on-the-job experience.

Step 3: Obtain a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology

After earning your bachelor’s, coupled with a brief internship experience, proceed to obtain an educational psychology master’s degree. A master’s degree provides beneficial courses, such as cognitive psychology, child development, learning behaviors, etc.

Step 4: Pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology

Earning a doctorate is not a requirement for working in this field. It is, however, required for some certificates. A doctoral certificate enables you to diagnose cognitive problems and create care plans based on your state license.

Step 5: Complete More Internship hours

For educational psychologists, candidates must fulfill approximately 1,200 hours of internship work to obtain a license. Generally, most students finish their internship requirements while enrolled in or immediately following a master’s or doctoral program.

Step 6: Sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)

Graduates must sit for and pass the EPPP licensing examination set by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Overall, applicants can take this test up to four times in a year or until they achieve a passing grade.

Step 7: Apply for a State Licensure

After passing the EPPP, you will be granted a state license to operate as an educational psychologist in your chosen state. To retain your license, you must take continuing education classes every few months.

Licensure and Credentialing

Most states demand a Ph.D. and that students pass a jurisprudence test in the chosen state. In addition, candidates must excel in the EPPP. To fully practice, it’s mandatory to work for 2-years under the teaching and supervision of a certified psychologist.

Board Certification for Educational Psychologists

ASPPB’s Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ)

There is no formal board certification, but you can earn the ASPPB’s Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ). This qualification benefits from being accepted as credible in several states. The CPQ does not need to be renewed, contrary to many other board qualifications. However, most states require students to maintain ongoing professional education to maintain their licenses.

Pre-Professional Experience for Educational Psychologists

During a master’s program, students will engage in practicum experience to gain a more profound knowledge of the field. Since a 1-year internship is typically required for doctorates, the pre-professional experience gets increasingly extensive during this period. As learners progress through the internship phase, they are under the guidance of a licensed educational psychologist. By watching the Certified Psychologist work with clients, learners gradually get involved in sessions while remaining under their guidance.

Educational Psychologist Career Outlook

To begin a career in educational psychology, candidates must obtain a 4-year Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in psychology. This initial qualification is a good starting point, enabling the understanding of the principles of psychology. Afterward, students will obtain advanced degrees–for example, a master’s or Ph.D. in Educational Psychology.

Note: The educational psychologist requirements will differ for graduates who aren’t looking to obtain a doctorate.

Careers in educational psychology assist learners in various academic contexts with their academic or behavioral needs. The BLS reports that the employment of psychologists is estimated to rise by 8% from 2020 to 2030. These numbers are specific to the academic and health sectors.

What can I do with an Educational Psychology Degree?

1. Educational Researcher

Graduates who have earned a master’s or Ph.D. degree in educational psychology can work as academic researchers. In organizational settings, for instance, they draft vital reports that include quantitative guidelines and recommendations. These reports steer project interventions, including strategies and tools to employ when interacting with teachers, students, and parents.

They work in most federal, state, and local government agencies concerned with educational policy. Based on recent BLS data, educational researchers/social scientists earn an average salary of $80,890 per annum. Job growth in educational research is expected to rise by 8% over the next ten years.

2. School Counselor

School counselors provide counseling and guidance services for students in academic settings. For example, these counselors assist learners with interpersonal, psychological, or academic problems.

College counselors can support students in overcoming obstacles in their academics, social situations, and other areas. Institutions also employ them for specialized counseling, academic support, and student health services. According to BLS, the median yearly salary for school counselors and advisors as of May 2021 was $60,510. Furthermore, the job employment of specialists in this field will rise by 11% between 2020 and 2030.

3. School Psychologist (High, Elementary, and Middle School)

Both private and public colleges employ school psychologists to collaborate with administrators to foster an atmosphere conducive to learning. They frequently use research to develop policies, procedures, and protocols that apply to the entire institution. Generally, teachers having problems with specific student conduct often get assistance from school psychologists. Based on the BLS report, the median wage for a school psychologist working in elementary, high, and middle school as of May 2021 was $83,160.

4. Educational Psychologists

In contrast to school psychologists working in classroom contexts, educational psychologists generally collaborate with families, organizations, children, and agencies. Their primary responsibilities involve:

• Creating and executing educational programs
• Assisting instructors in crafting lesson plans that will improve student learning

Also, according to BLS, the average salary for Educational psychologists working in Educational Support Services is $89,730 as of May 2021.

Note: For practitioners in this field, the educational psychologist’s salary varies based on years of working experience.

In administration, several educational psychology careers are also available for graduates to choose and a few of them are as follows.

5. University/College Professor

Most doctorate students pursue a career as a university professor after earning their degree in educational psychology. Academic institutions employ researchers and educators to teach psychology to students at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

In addition, they also collaborate with instructors from other colleges to carry out joint research. The average yearly wage for postsecondary teachers as of May 2021 was $79,640. Overall employment of professors is estimated to increase 12% from 2020 to 2030, higher than the median for all occupations.

6. Student Assessment Specialist

In various academic settings, educational psychologists focus on areas such as appraisal and student assessment. They employ different methods and techniques to evaluate learners’ understanding of the subject matter across various departments. They help to improve the overall evaluations of candidates at the college level. The average annual wage for an assessment specialist as of June 2022 was $60,612.

Professional Organizations, Associations, and Resources

Below is a quick summary of the major professional organizations that will provide you with excellent opportunities to launch a promising career in educational psychology.

National Council on Measurement in Education

The NCME is a professional organization saddled with the responsibility of evaluating, assessing, and testing other facets of educational measurement.

American School Counseling Association

The sole purpose of the American School Counseling Association is to support school counselors or educators all over the world by offering publications, development, resources, and advocacy to its members.

Association of Educational Therapists

The Association of Educational Therapists is committed to determining and improving educational therapy as advanced practice, establishing norms and values for ethical conduct, and fostering effective service delivery by providing educational psychologist training to aid career advancement.

Association for Psychological Science

NASP regularly releases free research papers to support educational psychologists, researchers, and the community at large, to support youth and children to advance at home, in college, and all through their careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a school psychologist and an educational psychologist?

It’s no surprise that aspiring students compare educational psychologists to school psychologists. Nonetheless, this is what you should be aware of:

School psychologists’ main objective is to support students in their academic, mental, emotional, and social development. In contrast, Educational psychologists provide tests, conduct research, and eventually assist in creating suitable learning environments for all groups of learners.

What is contemporary educational psychology?

Contemporary educational psychology deals with publishing articles relating to the implementation/integration of psychological science and theory into the academic system.

What does an educational psychologist research?

Educational psychologists examine how people learn in both traditional classroom settings and those outside of them. This process includes attributes such as gender, culture, age, and physical environments.

What do I need to be an educational psychologist?

Suppose you wish to work as a licensed educational psychologist. Then you will typically need a doctorate, perhaps a Psy.D. or Ph.D. Most jurisdictions mandate that graduates work up to 2-years under the supervision of a certified professional.

Are educational psychologists in demand?

Yes, in fact, the educational psychology job outlook looks very favorable. The demand for school psychologists is indeed high. As such, the BLS predicts that employment will expand by 8% over the next ten years, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

What is educational psychology?

In practice, educational psychologist definitions vary, but generally, they all concentrate on core objectives. Educational psychology focuses on how people acquire and retain knowledge in academic environments like classrooms. Also, it covers the cognitive, emotional, and social learning processes.

What does an educational psychologist do?

Educational psychologists collaborate with teachers, students, administrators, and educators to determine how to support effective learning. It generally entails extra assistance, devising programs, even developing novel teaching techniques.

Do all educational psychology careers require a Ph.D.?

To be a licensed educational psychologist, you need a doctorate. But not all careers in this field require students to obtain a Phd.

Are educational psychology theories and clinical psychology theories the same?

No, they aren’t.

Where do educational psychologists work?

Most educational psychologists work at universities and colleges or K–12 institutions and focus on youth education. Although, some practitioners embark on private practices. Educational psychologists also focus on adult learning, and they can choose to work for institutions that offer formal education.

Do online colleges offer educational psychology doctorates?

Yes, they do. You can check the Geteducated.com educational resources for further details.

Does an educational psychologist’s salary vary with location?

Yes, they do. For instance, a graduate with an educational psychology doctorate will earn more in a state like New York compared to the state of Utah.

Are educational psychologist jobs lucrative?

Yes, depending on the location of employment. For example, the top 10% in this field earn above $123,000 per year.

What Next?

Aspiring educators must actively embrace educational psychology to function in K-12 schools, universities, and organizations. By becoming an educational psychologist, graduates are equipped to comprehend different attributes of learners and foster growth in the classroom.

At GetEducated.com, we have more feature-rich content you can explore to have a deeper understanding of related courses that are available to students.