What Can You Do with an Educational Psychology Degree?

What Can You Do with an Educational Psychology Degree?
By Chloe Dembski
Reviewed By Dr. James Barham
Published:

Key Takeaways

  • An educational psychology degree can qualify graduates for careers such as an educational researcher, school psychologist, or college professor.
  • An educational psychology degree program will cover topics like human growth, learning theories, educational interventions, and educational program assessments.
  • An educational psychology degree prepares learners for careers that focus on improving the academic environment and learning processes.

An educational psychology degree, whether a master’s or doctorate, enables you to advocate for a more productive, equitable, and safer education system. We will explore what can you do with an educational psychology degree.

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Featured Programs

What can you do with an educational psychology degree?

With an educational psychology degree, you can pursue various careers, such as educational researcher, school psychologist, college professor, etc.

Let’s break down some of the positions you can secure with your educational psychology degree:

Career TitleAverage Salary
Educational Researcher$113,102
School Psychologist$91,990
College Professor$84,380
Researcher$91,909
Crisis Counselor$65,317
Curriculum Leader$76,974

Educational Researcher

If you’ve got a degree in educational psychology, you could dive into educational research. Researchers in this field study how people learn throughout life, from infants to seniors.

You’ll design training programs and find new ways to teach different groups, working with social services, governments, businesses, and families.

Usually, you’ll need at least a master’s degree, some jobs might prefer a doctorate. The average pay for an educational researcher is $113,102 a year.

School Psychologist

As a school psychologist, you’d help students learn better, no matter their skill level. You’ll support them through tough emotions and help those with learning challenges or disabilities.

Most states require at least a master’s degree, though some ask for an educational doctorate. School psychologists make around $91,990 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

College Professor

If you have a PhD in educational psychology, you might become a college professor. Professors teach and do research at colleges.

As a professor, you’ll mainly teach psychology to college students, both those in undergrad and grad school. You’ll also lead and supervise research projects.

When you’re not teaching or researching, you might talk with other psychologists or help kids, groups, or families. Professors sometimes work on making learning better in classrooms too. The average pay for an educational psychology professor is about $84,380 a year.

Researcher

Another option is to become a researcher. Researchers with this degree work for the military, government, or private organizations. They study how different places and teaching methods affect learning.

Then, they use what they find to improve teaching methods in different programs, like those in government, businesses, or schools.

This research helps create better ways to teach kinds of people. Researchers typically make around $91,909 a year.

Crisis Counsellor

Want to be a crisis counselor? With a degree in educational psychology, you can! Crisis counselors assist people facing mental health struggles. They provide support, offer advice, and create treatment plans.

Your job includes writing progress reports and involving friends and family when necessary. You could work in places like mental health clinics, colleges, or non-profit organizations.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a big increase in jobs for crisis counselors—up by 18% from 2022 to 2032, with over 71,500 new jobs expected. The median salary for this role is $65,317 per year.

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Curriculum Leader

As a curriculum leader, you’d help schools and universities develop their course plans. You make sure the courses meet government standards and fit student needs.

Working with administrators and developers, you’ll earn an average of $76,974 per year.

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What to Expect From an Educational Psychology Degree Program

Prospective students signing up for this program will dive deep into how psychology relates to education. They’ll cover topics like human growth, learning theories, educational interventions, and how to assess educational programs to make sure they work well.

If it’s a master’s program, it may last two to three years based on your program type and enrollment status. Some parts might need to be done in person, like labs or internships, to get real-world experience.

Students might also get chances to work on real projects or research that can help in schools. Once they finish, they can go on to be educational psychologists, school counselors, researchers, or teachers. They’ll have the tools they need to make education better and help students do their best.

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Common Concentrations or Courses for Educational Psychology Degree Programs

As an educational psychology student, you’ll study the principles and theories of human development, learning, and cognition. You’ll learn how to use this knowledge in schools and create and check educational plans.

Students may also study topics such as why people want to learn, how to test them, and how to make lessons that work well. Some common courses include:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Learning Theories
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Motivation in Education
  • Assessment and Evaluation
  • Instructional Design
  • Research Methods
  • Lifespan development
  • Adult education
  • Neuropsychology
  • Applied Behavior Analysis

An educational psychology degree may need a capstone project. It could also help you get into doctoral programs. Some programs provide students with a non-thesis track. And you can choose to study online or on campus.

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Accreditation

Accreditation is a thorough check-up for colleges to show how good their programs, teachers, and facilities are. Here are two kinds of accreditation you should look for:

Institutional Accreditation

In the U.S., there are two kinds of accreditation. One is for the whole school, called institutional accreditation. It checks the school’s programs, whether they’re online or in person.

This type is important if you need federal student aid or want to switch schools and keep your credits. Employers also look for degrees from accredited schools when hiring.

Programmatic Accreditation

Some programs and departments can get subject-specific accreditation. There isn’t a specific body that gives approval for educational psychology programs. Instead, various accreditors may approve them.

Most educational psychology degrees don’t lead to licensure, and only a few try to get special approval.

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Best Educational Psychology Programs You Should Consider

Now that you know a good thing about educational psychology, including what it is, its common concentrations, and what career paths you can pursue, let’s dive into knowing the best psychology schools and colleges that offer this psychology degree program:

University NameTuition (per credit)Credit RequirementsProgram Length
CUNY Hunter College$47031 credits1.5 years
University of Georgia$62934 credits2 years
University of Wisconsin-Madison$461 (in-state) $1,623 (out-of-state)30 credits2 years
Florida State University$44431 credits5 semesters
Texas A&M University-48 credits2 years
The University of Alabama$42030 credits1.5 years

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  1. #1

    Hunter College

    New York , NY
    #13 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #7 Best Public Colleges in New York 2024 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in New York 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for Educational Psychology degree at Hunter College

    Cost of Degree: $7,382
    Expenses: $18,076
    Starting Salary: $28,741
    Salary after 4 years: $39,092
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    CUNY Hunter College provides students with one of the best master’s degrees in educational psychology. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the program has 31-32 credit hours.

    You can choose from two tracks:

    • General track with a focus on human development and growth and learning theories
    • Research, evaluation, and assessment track that helps emphasize research tools for tracking educational program and evaluation method outcomes

    To apply, students will need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a GPA of at least 2.8. If your GPA is lower, you can submit GRE scores to demonstrate your readiness for graduate-level studies.

    • Location:  New York 
    • Graduation Rate: 56.7%
    • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
    • School Status: Public
    • Tuition: $470 per credit
    • Credit Requirements: 31 credits
    • Program Length: 1.5 years
    • Format: On-campus
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  2. #2

    University of Georgia

    Athens , GA
    #14 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    43%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1320/29

    Career Outlook for Educational Psychology degree at University of Georgia

    Cost of Degree: $11,180
    Expenses: $16,362
    Starting Salary: $32,792
    Salary after 4 years: $44,601
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Located in Athens, the University of Georgia considers itself ‘a birthplace of American public higher education’. The university provides various degrees that help train learners using rigorous hands-on research and experience.

    One such program is the online master’s in educational psychology with a focus on applied cognition and development. Culminating on a practicum, this program helps understand analytical development and human motivations.

    Students can also specialize in learning with technology, lifelong learning, or qualitative education approaches. This well-known institute is regionally accredited by the “Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.”

    • Location: Athens
    • Graduation Rate: 86%
    • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    • School Status: Public
    • Tuition: $629 per credit
    • Credit Requirements: 34 credits
    • Program Length: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    • Instruction Style: Asynchronous

    University of Georgia’s Online Degrees

    BS in Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Special Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  3. #3

    University of Wisconsin–Madison

    Madison , WI
    #7 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2024 #12 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #17 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024 #19 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    49%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    51K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1425/29

    Career Outlook for Educational Psychology degree at University of Wisconsin–Madison

    Cost of Degree: $10,796
    Expenses: $17,198
    Starting Salary: $37,730
    Salary after 4 years: $51,318
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    The University of Wisconsin offers a Master of Science in Educational Psychology program with a 30-credit curriculum. The degree provides you with four research concentrations: school psychology, quantitative methods, human development, and research sciences.

    The institute is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and the program may take only two years to complete. In terms of cost, in-state students will pay about $461 per credit hour, out-of-state residents $1,623, and Minnesota residents $639 per credit hour.

    For admission, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 from the last two years of coursework, along with GRE scores.

    • Location:  Madison 
    • Graduation Rate: 89.3%
    • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
    • School Status: Public
    • Tuition: $461 per credit
    • Credit Requirements: 30 credits
    • Program Length: 2 years
    • Format: On-campus
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  4. #4

    Florida State University

    Tallahassee , FL
    #12 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2024 #24 Most Affordable Graduate Schools Ranked for 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Florida 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    25%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    51K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1290/28

    Career Outlook for Educational Psychology degree at Florida State University

    Cost of Degree: $6,517
    Expenses: $18,124
    Starting Salary: $29,906
    Salary after 4 years: $40,677
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Believe it or not, Florida State University boasts Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel laureates, and a range of other decorated professionals and experts among the faculty. Online learners study from the same esteemed professors as on-campus students.

    It offers an online educational psychology program with a major in learning and cognition. Like on-campus students, you don’t need a thesis. Instead, you’ll have to complete a course-based curriculum and work with an advisor to specialize after finishing 15 credits of core courses.

    This program also helps train learners in data analysis and research, ensuring they have a strong scholarly base. Taking two classes per semester will help you graduate in five semesters, including one summer. FSU holds regional accreditation from the “Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.”

    • Location: Tallahassee
    • Graduation Rate: 83%
    • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    • School Status: Public
    • Tuition: $444 per credit
    • Credit Requirements: 31 credits
    • Program Length: 5 semesters
    • Format: Online
    • Instruction Style: Asynchronous

    Florida State University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Safety and Security
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  6. #5

    Texas A&M University

    College Station , TX
    #23 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools In Texas 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Texas 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Texas 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    63%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    77K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1270/28

    Career Outlook for Educational Psychology degree at Texas A&M University

    Cost of Degree: $12,605
    Expenses: $19,014
    Starting Salary: $37,619
    Salary after 4 years: $51,167
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Texas A&M University in College Station provides a one-of-a-kind online master’s in educational psychology program with a concentration in school counseling.

    You can complete the program with a 12-credit and two-term practicum that has 400 hours of practice in a private or public school. Students also complete classes on special education consultation and counseling techniques for school counselors.

    The program prefers students with two years of experience as certified educators. This assures they’re eligible for school counselor certification in Texas. Plus, Texas A&M is regionally accredited by the “Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.”

    • Location: College Station
    • Graduation Rate: 82%
    • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    • School Status: Public
    • Credit Requirements: 48 credits
    • Program Length: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    • Instruction Style: Asynchronous

    Texas A&M University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 32
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  7. #6

    University of Alabama

    Tuscaloosa , AL
    #13 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #1 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2024 #1 Alabama's Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    42K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1270/27

    Career Outlook for Educational Psychology degree at University of Alabama

    Cost of Degree: $11,940
    Expenses: $20,084
    Starting Salary: $28,630
    Salary after 4 years: $38,941
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    The University of Alabama offers an online master’s in educational psychology. Designed for educators and researchers, the degree focuses on learning and assessment. You learn cognition, how people learn, and program evaluation.

    Accredited by the “National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education,” the program requires no thesis, just research and a capstone project. After graduation, you can pursue a range of career choices in the education and counseling sector.

    • Location: Tuscaloosa
    • Graduation Rate: 72%
    • Accreditation: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
    • School Status: Public
    • Tuition: $420 per credit
    • Credit Requirements: 30 credits
    • Program Length: 1.5 years
    • Format: Online
    • Instruction Style: Asynchronous

    University of Alabama’s Online Degrees

    BS in Food and Nutrition
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Early Childhood Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Hospitality Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Development and Family Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Child Life
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Environmental Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Environmental Sciences, Consumer Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Consumer Affairs
    • Family Financial Planning and Counseling
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS/BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 25/ 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Mechanical Engineering
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Commerce and Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Business
    • Management
    • Accounting
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
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    8. Related Questions

    What should you look for in an educational psychology program?

    9. You should look for a few things such as program type, accreditation and curriculum. Plus, you should check the tuition fee, courses offered, and student support.

    How much do educational psychology degrees cost?

    The cost varies based on where you choose to study and the program format (in-person or online). On average, tuition ranges between $12,000 and $30,000. Public state schools are cheaper than private ones.

    How much can you earn with an educational psychology degree?

    Although it’s based on your financial and career goals, you can earn anywhere between $65,317 and $113,102 per year.

    10. Conclusion

    An educational psychology degree prepares learners for careers that focus on improving the academic environment and learning processes. With this degree, you can pursue job roles in academia, school psychology, and educational research. It is important to assure that the program you choose is accredited.

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