What Can You Do with an Educational Psychology Degree?

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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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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Related Questions

What to Look for in an Educational Psychology Program?

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 $65317 and $113,102 per year.

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.