Enrolling in an affordable online master’s in educational psychology can open new opportunities for your teaching career. Largely intended for people with teaching backgrounds, these programs help you understand the psychological and emotional developments for students of all ages.
While they can be used, in some cases, to build a psychologist’s career, they are mostly for people who want to become school counselors and advisors. It’s also possible to become a school psychologist with these degrees, but you may need more education specific to psychology.
There are 38 programs from 34 schools, providing plenty of options. You’ll find programs ranging from roughly $9,000 to over $32,000, so there are also many choices to fit your budget.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$17,400
Least Expensive (In-state & Out-of-state): Fort Hays State University ~$8,957
Most Expensive: Texas A & M University ~$32,104
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings for these online degrees. Instead of fancy formulas, we meticulously calculate total full-time tuition, including any fees, for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the prices for these master’s degrees. All programs listed above the gray dividing line are “Best Buys”. These all cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Psychology
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $8,957.00 | All Students |
2 | Concordia University - Nebraska | (NE) | $10,200.00 $12,750.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Concordia University, St. Paul | (MN) | $11,850.00 $10,500.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
4 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | (NV) | $12,822.00 $24,224.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Bellarmine University | (KY) | $13,180.00 | All Students |
6 | National University | (CA) | $13,260.00 | All Students |
7 | Florida Atlantic University | (FL) | $13,386.00 $36,965.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $13,500.00 | All Students |
9 | Ball State University | (IN) | $14,330.00 $20,870.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
10 | Florida State University | (FL) | $14,661.00 $35,497.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
11 | Southeastern University | (FL) | $15,000.00 | All Students |
12 | University of North Texas | (TX) | $15,241.00 $17,680.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 | York College | (NE) | $15,300.00 | All Students |
14 | Eastern Michigan University | (MI) | $15,360.00 | All Students |
15 | Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $15,660.00 | All Students |
16 | Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $15,925.00 $20,612.00 $15,925.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
17 | Spring Arbor University | (MI) | $16,150.00 | All Students |
18 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $16,847.00 $15,410.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
19 | Kent State University | (OH) | $16,947.00 $17,247.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | (AL) | $17,265.00 | All Students |
21 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $17,357.00 $15,877.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Northern Colorado | (CO) | $17,490.00 | All Students | |
University of Southern Maine | (ME) | $18,504.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania Western University | (PA) | $18,768.00 $21,573.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
 Eastern Oregon University | (OR) | $18,778.00 | All Students | |
University at Buffalo | (NY) | $18,797.00 $21,993.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Memphis | (TN) | $19,680.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University Irvine | (CA) | $19,685.00 | All Students | |
National University | (CA) | $19,890.00 | All Students | |
Endicott College | (MA) | $20,108.00 | All Students | |
Mississippi State University | (MS) | $21,560.00 | All Students | |
University of Georgia | (GA) | $21,974.00 | All Students | |
University of Wisconsin-Madison | (WI) | $24,000.00 | All Students | |
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | (TN) | $25,200.00 $27,900.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Rutgers University | (NJ) | $28,500.00 | All Students | |
Texas A & M University | (TX) | $32,104.00 $70,232.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
Program Note: To qualify for a ranking, the master’s in educational psychology online must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with subscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.
CAEP Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
AAQEP Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter/Spring 2023 review of regionally accredited master’s in educational psychology online. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. The school profile for a master’s in educational psychology online in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire affordable online master’s in educational psychology including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a master’s in educational psychology online that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest master’s in educational psychology online programs may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best online master’s in educational psychology for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Why Should I Enroll in an Online Educational Psychology Degree?
Think this career field may be right for you? Each student will enroll in a master’s in educational psychology online for different reasons, but here are a few potential benefits to pursuing this career:
- Stable career with strong growth: The world needs mental health service, and current data shows that demand will increase over the next ten years. According to the BLS, school counselors will grow by 6%, while the psychologist profession will grow by 12%.
- Fulfilling daily work: Other careers may seem dull, monotonous, or unfulfilling. That’s rarely the case with education psychology. In this career, you’ll help students deal with the challenges of modern life, which has created significant mental health problems.
No matter what your motivation, you should understand the various programs and concentrations, as well as the coursework you’ll complete during an online master’s in educational psychology.
Program Cost: What to Expect from an Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Psychology
These programs vary in cost, which can change depending on the number of credit hours, the school, and fees. While many are affordable, there are high-priced programs. These programs range from under $9,000 to over $32,000, so aspiring students should do their research before enrolling.
The least affordable online master’s in educational psychology is the Master of Education in Educational Psychology from Texas A & M University. This program costs $32,104 for in-state residents; out-of-state students need $70,232 for this degree.
The average cost for these programs is $17,400. Assuming a two-year study plan, this means students typically need about $8,700 for each year. There are plenty of low-cost options. Overall, 11 programs cost less than $15,000 a year, and 20 programs cost less than $17,000 a year. Let’s take a closer look at the top three most affordable online master’s in educational psychology programs:
#1. Fort Hays State University – Master of Science in School Psychology
Fort Hays State University offers the online school psychology program with the best value for students in all locations across the country. The $8,957 price tag includes all tuition and fees for the program, and this rate is available to all online students.
The online master’s degree in School Psychology at FHSU offers flexibility through virtual learning. Students can pursue either the MS degree part-time or full-time from anywhere in the US with one five-day on-campus workshop during a summer semester. Graduates are prepared for rewarding careers as K-12 school psychologists, working with children, parents, teachers, and school administrators.
Some of the topics covered in this program include:
- Behavior therapy
- Developmental psychology
- Learning and motivation
- Child psychopathology
- Professional ethics
#2. Concordia University - Nebraska – Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction / Trauma & Resilience
Nebraska residents can complete the M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Trauma and Resilience for a total cost of $10,200. The out-of-state cost is marginally higher but still a great value at $12,750.
This program focuses on the needs of children who have experienced trauma and fostering a resilience mindset in students and staff. Courses are taught by experienced faculty and include titles such as Trauma and the Individual, Leadership in Trauma and Resilience, Trauma-Informed Classroom, and Building a Resilient School. With a total of 30 credits, the curriculum aims to equip participants for leadership and service in various roles related to creating trauma and resilience programming.
#3. Concordia University-Saint Paul – Master of Arts in Education / Trauma & Resilience in Educational Settings
Concordia University – St. Paul provides a master’s in Education focusing on Trauma and Resilience at the affordable rate of $11,850 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Military members can save even more, with a total fee of $10,500.
This affordable online master’s in educational psychology addresses the critical impact of traumatic experiences on learning. With over 25% of American students encountering serious trauma by age 16, and many facing repeated traumas, this program aims to help educators incorporate a trauma-informed care approach. By doing so, educators can play a pivotal role in helping students overcome barriers to learning and foster essential resilience skills. Program participants will gain the knowledge and strategies necessary to create supportive environments, facilitating both academic and personal growth.
Educational Psychology Online: The Types of Master’s Degrees
All master’s degrees require about two years of full-time study. They usually encompass at least 30 credit hours of coursework completed over roughly ten classes. There could also be dissertation requirements, internships, and other forms of experience before graduation.
These programs combine elements of education and psychology, usually with a focus on mental development throughout childhood. They may include advanced instruction on organizing and managing a classroom, and will likely cover basic and advanced psychology, especially child psychology.
There are many types of programs in this ranking. Many are “master of science” programs, which means they generally lean into research and data-driven approaches to education and psychology. Some may be “master of arts”, which are more focused on the theory and philosophy of educational psychology.
There are also “master of education” programs, such as the Master of Education in Educational Therapy from Southeastern University. These programs often lead to careers as classroom teachers, reading specialists, program directors, and more.
The differences between a master of art, science, or education can be hard to notice. The curriculum differences between a master of arts in educational psychology and a master of education in school psychology, frankly, can be minor. More noticeable is the difference in concentrations or specializations. These degrees are available with a variety of concentrations, allowing you to select a unique focus that works best for your talents, interests, and career goals.
Potential concentrations for some of the best online master’s in educational psychology programs include:
- Childhood trauma
- Education policy
- Emotional leadership
- Psychometry (Psychology focused on data)
- Social development
- Learning and cognition
Courses in an Online Master’s in School Psychology
The courses during a master’s in educational psychology online can change depending on the school, the type of degree, and the specific concentration. When trying to understand the coursework, it helps to look at a few examples:
National University – Master of Science in Educational Psychology
National University, formerly called Northcentral University, offers a Master of Science in Educational Psychology. This degree shows students how to apply psychology and the science of learning to create better outcomes for students.
This program includes 30 credit hours of required coursework. Courses include education, development, law, psychology, and other core subjects. Students can expect classes like “Child and Adolescent Development,” “Psychology of Learning,” and “Psychological Tests and Measurements.”
Concordia University-Saint Paul – Master of Arts in Education
Concordia University-Saint Paul offers numerous master’s degrees in education, including programs focused on technology, early childhood, and leadership. Students interested in psychology should consider the emphasis in trauma and resilience in education settings, which focuses on helping kids overcome traumatic experiences.
Also encompassing 30 credit hours, the courses take a deep look at typical child development and how traumatic experiences can disrupt this process. Specific classes include “Trauma and its Impact on Child Development,” “Trauma-Informed Classroom Teachers,” and “Trauma-Informed Intervention for the Education Professional .”
Endicott College – Master of Education in Social & Emotional Development
The program is for current educators and school professionals who want to be better at helping students adapt to the unique challenges of today’s society. It includes research into social and emotional development and how today’s students function in our ever-changing society.
This program requires 36 credit hours. Classes include subjects like “Neuroscience in Education,” “Teacher and Teaching Identities,” and “Identity, Culture and Social Emotional Learning.”
Accreditation for Educational Psychology Programs
Accreditation is a review and approval process for schools and universities. Conducted by independent bodies, it helps students find high-quality degrees, acting as a quality control for the complex academic system. There are two major forms of accreditation: institutional and programmatic.
Institutional
Institutional covers an entire university or college. Completed by regional groups, this form of accreditation requires an accrediting body to review virtually all aspects of a school to ensure it provides a high-quality education, regardless of the degree. All the programs in our database come from schools with institutional accreditation.
Programmatic
Programmatic, on the other hand, only covers a specific degree. In this type of accreditation, groups that specialize in a certain field or discipline accredit those specific degrees. As an example, nursing students may look for degrees that with accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Many programs (but not all) have programmatic accreditation.
Educational psychology degrees are often accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This group focuses specifically on teaching degrees, accrediting bachelor’s through doctorates in education.
Numerous programs in our database have CAEP accreditation, including:
- Bellarmine University – Master of Arts in Education / Trauma Informed Practices
- Ball State University – Master of Arts in Educational Psychology
- Eastern Michigan University – Master of Arts in Educational Psychology
- York College – Master of Arts in Education / Social & Emotional Leadership
Some of the best online master’s in educational psychology programs are accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). This organization was created in 2017 and emphasizes evidence, technology, and innovation in the education process.
AAQEP-accredited educational psychology programs include:
- National University – Master of Education / Social Emotional Learning
Programmatic accreditation is helpful, but not essential. If a degree does not hold programmatic accreditation but comes from an accredited school, it will still deliver a high-quality education.
Typical Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Educational Psychology Online
A master’s degree, essentially, represents the second-highest level of academic achievement. It’s only behind a doctorate, which is the pinnacle of academia. Because it’s such an advanced degree, with rigorous demands, students need to be well prepared for the challenge. Schools have high standards for their master’s programs, requiring students to meet numerous achievements before enrolling.
The most important requirement is a bachelor’s degree. Before enrolling in a master’s degree, you need to complete a bachelor’s program in a related subject. For these programs, a bachelor’s in education, psychology, counseling, or school administration should qualify.
You may also need to meet specific GPA requirements. While many bachelor’s degrees do not require a GPA, most master’s programs will. This could be a 2.5 or 3.0 minimum, depending on the school.
The Master of Science in School Psychology from Fort Hays State University provides a good example. This affordable online master’s in educational psychology program requires a bachelor’s in psychology or education with at least 12 credit hours (about four classes) from the school’s psychology department. Students need at least one undergraduate class in stats or research methods, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 from their bachelor’s degree. Finally, they must complete the GRE (Graduate Record Exam).
Licensing and Certification for Counselors and Education Psychologists
Licensing is an important part of many professions, including the careers of counselors and psychologists. School counselors working at public schools need a license, which could be called a “certificate” or “endorsement,” depending on the state itself. To obtain this license, you typically need an appropriate master’s degree, an internship or practicum, and the successful completion of a state-mandated test.
Some employers, including various school districts, may prefer candidates with teaching experience. This opens an entirely new set of requirements, including a teaching degree and a teacher’s license.
Arizona provides a good example. This state requires a master’s degree from an accredited institution and the completion of a graduate program in guidance, counseling, or a related field such as psychology. You must have two years of full-time experience as a school counselor, three years as a teacher, or the completion of a counseling practicum. There is no exam, but you must complete a background check.
It’s also possible for counselors to obtain national certification through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). This allows counselors to use the certification mark in their professional materials.
Psychologists also need a license. In many cases, this requires a doctorate, an internship, and at least one year of supervised professional experience.
Salary and Career Outlook for School Psychologists
As an education counselor or school psychologist, you’ll work in one of the most rewarding and engaging professions. These rewarding careers bring daily challenges, but you’ll have the chance to earn a strong salary.
School and career counselors and advisors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), have a median salary of $60,510 in May 2021. The earnings may seem moderate, but compared to the median salary for all occupations ($45,760), this is a fairly strong income. The top 10% earn over $98,190, so there is certainly the chance for higher pay.
Psychologists have even stronger earnings. The median annual pay (May 2021) for all psychologists was $81,040 while the top 10% earn over $133,890. However, school psychologists earned a median income of $78,780.
The expected career growth for counselors, psychologists, and other mental-health experts is strong. School counselors and advisors, driven by increased demand for developmental, academic, and career-planning services, are expected to see a 12% growth between 2021 and 2031. Psychologists will grow by 6%, largely because schools, hospitals, and mental health centers will increase their demand for psychological services.
The Next Step in Educational Psychology
With a master’s degree, you have completed one of the highest levels of education, achieving a degree that few people reach. However, it’s possible to continue your education through a doctorate. This is especially important for graduates who want to become licensed psychologists, although a master’s may be enough for school psychologist careers.
A doctorate in psychology or educational psychology will build your knowledge of the human mind, giving you the skills to support students’ emotional and mental development.
Even if you do not pursue a doctorate, continuing education is key. School counselors and school psychologists need a specific amount of continuing education, which is determined by the state. These can be formal in-person classes, online video programs, reading materials, and more.
Start Your Journey with an Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Psychology Today!
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