What You Should Know About This Degree
Psychology is a diverse profession, and it’s important to consider your future career path when choosing a graduate program. If you’re interested in working with younger students, consider a master’s in school psychology. While educational psychology programs train graduates to work with both students and academic professionals, school psychology programs focus on elementary, middle, and high school students’ needs. Educational psychology is focused on research, assessment, and educational policy within a community. In contrast, school psychology centers around individual counseling and testing. If you’re interested in helping individuals, families, and communities to improve their quality of life as they deal with challenging life issues, you should consider pursuing a master’s degree in social work.
Graduates looking to practice educational psychology will need to obtain a state license. They’ll also need to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Educational psychology is a competitive field, and additional certifications can provide an edge with future employers. Certifications approved by the American Board of Psychology can help demonstrate expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy, counseling, psychology, clinical child and adolescent psychology, and school psychology.
What’s Next?
Ask yourself these questions when pursuing a graduate degree in educational psychology:
- Am I eligible for this program? All graduate programs in educational psychology require students to hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Certain programs may also require professional work experience as well as a minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Students can expect to complete their graduate degrees in educational psychology following two years of full-time study. Part-time study can take up to four years to complete. The programs on our list require between 30 and 52 credits to graduate.
Each program has specific requirements and application deadlines. Contact the school or visit its website for information about when applications are due, as well as which materials you must submit.
Determine how you’ll pay for your master’s degree by researching potential funding opportunities. You might be eligible for scholarships, grants, or federal aid to help cover tuition fees.