Online Educational Psychology Degree Programs
Learn about educational psychology programs and what it takes to get a degree from educational psychologists who study how people learn.
What does educational psychology entail?
Industrial and organizational psychologist employment is predicted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to increase by 14% from 2018 to 2028.
When applying for available positions, candidates who have a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology and experience with quantitative research methodologies are at an advantage.
Here, we discuss the online study of industrial-organizational psychology.
School psychology versus educational psychology
Although some people conflate the terms “educational psychology” and “school psychology,” the two disciplines have important distinctions.
In more client-direct roles, school psychologists concentrate on specific kids and their learning settings. They become familiar with students and heavily draw on clinical and behavioral psychology.
Educational psychologists are interested in the entire learning process. This macro-level field is concerned with learning systems and significant, empirically supported changes.
Educational psychologists work with school officials to evaluate curriculum modifications in addition to coaching teachers to improve their effectiveness in the classroom.
Common Questions Regarding Educational Psychology
What do psychologists in education do?
Educational psychologists are experts in human learning. Their study focuses mostly on comprehending student needs and providing support for efficient curriculum creation.
Data collection is a common practice among educational psychologists when examining the successes and failures of educational initiatives.
They might collaborate with teams responsible for developing curricula or with schools, districts, or those organizations.
What training is required for educational psychologists?
Employers’ requirements for educational psychologists may differ. Educational psychologists may need to have a psychology license in some places and a teaching license in others.
Each applicant typically has to have earned a graduate degree in educational psychology and completed an internship.
In what ways might educational psychology aid educators?
Educational psychologists work with instructors to identify students’ learning requirements and modify instruction to meet those needs.
They track progress using data-collecting technologies, then use the information to help teachers design efficient lesson plans.
They may assist teachers specifically when they are working with children who have learning impairments or when they are working with students in general.
What are educational psychologists’ salaries?
Location, experience, degree, and employer are all factors that can affect an educational psychologist’s earnings potential.
Educational psychologists make a median salary of $72,882, based on PayScale statistics. Additionally, PayScale data shows that salary rises with experience.
Is it Possible to Earn an Online Degree in Educational Psychology?
Online educational psychology degrees adhere to the same academic and professional standards as their on-campus counterparts since they go through the same accreditation procedures as on-campus programs.
Studying remotely involves attending lectures, reading pertinent literature, taking tests, finishing projects, and communicating often with peers and lecturers.
The majority of learning is done online, but students in online programs in educational psychology must also complete internships and clinical hours in person.
Students can typically finish these prerequisites locally at most online universities. Online psychology degrees offer greater flexibility and accessibility as compared to on-campus programs.
Regardless of location, students seeking degrees can enroll in top-notch programs. Online programs can occasionally be less expensive than on-campus ones.
Are Internships and Practicum Necessary for an Online Educational Psychology Program?
To get and keep accreditation, online educational psychology programs must follow the rules laid forth by state licensing authorities.
Therefore, regardless of degree level, almost all psychology programs need some kind of internship or practicum.
As students advance in their studies, practicum and internships usually get more involved. While students in masters or doctoral programs frequently spend a year or more working with clients, learners with bachelor’s degrees could be required to complete a semester of experiential learning.
It is simple for students to study a list of possibilities and select one that suits their interests because many online colleges maintain agreements with sites for completing necessary hours. Even pupils who live thousands of miles away from the school can get assistance.
How to Become an Educational Psychologist in a School
Starting with programs that match their interests and professional objectives is a good place for aspiring educational psychologists to start.
By area and school, tuition costs differ. Some colleges with more expensive tuition fees provide more generous financial aid packages to lower overall costs.
Additionally, students should budget extra money for living expenses, textbooks, and transportation.
Those who seek a bachelors or masters degree in educational psychology online can save money on living expenses and travel fees.
Next, every applicant—especially those aiming to obtain a license—should finish any internship or practicum requirements.
State-specific licensing requirements vary, so students should get in touch with potential schools for detailed information.
Students who are enrolled full-time can anticipate finishing their educational requirements in 6-7 years, plus an additional 1-2 years for internship and practicum periods.
Bachelors in Educational Psychology online
Each candidate must hold a masters degree to become an educational psychologist. While some specialized jobs simply demand a bachelor’s degree, most of them call for years of teaching experience. Graduate studies should be built upon the four-year degrees earned by online students.
Since few universities offer baccalaureate-level programs in educational psychology, students can prepare for graduate study by earning related degrees in fields including psychology, counseling, and educational instruction.
Typical Courses
Using the Arts to Teach
This course explores instructional strategies that use art to engage students in learning. Developmentally appropriate art, studio habits, and how to employ art field excursions and experiential learning strategies to engage young learners’ minds are some of the topics covered.
Both oral and listening communication
Learners create a framework for assisting kids with their verbal processing, speaking, and listening abilities. Students also study several facets of cross-cultural communication.
Diversity in Human Development
This course covers prenatal, birth, infant, childhood, and adolescent development and is mostly based on theoretical frameworks and research.
The elements that affect genetic, cognitive, physical, socio-cultural, and psychological development are examined by the students. To enroll, a student must be at least a sophomore.
Peer Leadership Training
This course, which covers leadership theory, developmental theory, and interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, was created especially for students who want to work in leadership development at the high school or college levels.
The theories students learn throughout the semester are put into practice by the professors.
Assessment and Instruction in Reading
This course is extremely beneficial for students who want to work with K–12 students.
The course focuses on five key areas: phonemic awareness, the alphabetic principle, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary to tier reading training according to developmental capacity.
Students gain knowledge on how to evaluate skills and choose the best materials by using assessment frameworks.
Masters in Educational Psychology online
With a graduate degree, students can become certified and licensed by their state.
While more colleges continue to offer various educational psychology degrees, the most direct route to a career in the area is a master of psychology with a focus on educational psychology. Both on-campus and online degrees satisfy the requirements for licensure.
To change occupations more readily in the future, students who are interested in different areas of psychology may decide to enroll in a regular master’s degree.
With online masters in educational psychology, students can join the best programs without having to relocate.
These programs are frequently offered in an asynchronous style by colleges, allowing degree seekers to finish their work and watch lectures on their timetables. Students can continue to fulfill their duties at home and work while pursuing their degrees.
Typical Courses
School-based behavioral interventions
Evidence-based therapies to address behavioral, emotional, and social issues are covered in this course.
Students are taught how to collect and evaluate data to develop unique goals for learners and track progress. Students can explore creating treatments for work settings in this practical seminar.
School-based psychological services
Learners are given a general overview of the psychological services frequently provided in educational contexts. Education-related ethical, legal, and professional standards are explored in the curriculum.
Students who are pursuing degrees also learn about the numerous duties and responsibilities that school psychologists have.
School-based mental health and well-being
Students investigate the tenets guiding our comprehension of mental health, particularly in light of the educational setting.
The topic of issues affecting both teachers’ and students’ mental health is covered in the lesson. Coursework examines how to design engaging classroom environments.
Evaluation of Young Children
This course examines typical developmental and cognitive impairments in addition to exploring the various developmental phases of infants to eight-year-old children.
Students look at how to address developmental differences while establishing an inclusive classroom and how they differ between particular children.
Reading for Multilingual Learners: Some Considerations
This course explores the most effective strategies for teaching literacy to non-English speakers, making it beneficial for educational psychologists who want to support ESL/ELL students. Faculty members use the most recent information and research in the area.
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology online
A professional should obtain a doctoral degree in the area if they intend to conduct research or teach at the college level.
This degree offers the sophisticated abilities required to instruct others or to land a desirable position at a research lab.
A Ph.D. is something an aspirant professional should think about if they’re interested in diagnosing illnesses and counseling pupils.
Professionals can continue working full-time while completing a Ph.D. in educational psychology online.
Online doctoral candidates can frequently fulfill their practicum and clinical requirements at local universities.
Typical Courses
Cognitive Effects of Technology
The study of computer, tablet, and Smartphone technology focuses on how it affects cognition over the lifespan.
Students also examine how technology can enhance or detract from learning, cognition, memory, problem-solving, and emotions. They talk about how new teachers can employ new technologies to enhance learning.
Standards of Conduct for Educational Psychology
The application of educational technology and educational psychology are examined by students in this course.
The rules and laws of both disciplines, as well as how they relate to their work on the micro and macro levels, must be understood by doctoral candidates.
Studying education in urban settings
Students will learn about the trans-disciplinary frameworks and approaches used to study urban communities, families, and schools.
Students examine how the learning process differs in comparison to other cultural and geographic locations.
Education’s Use of Qualitative Research
The steps involved in getting qualitative data—conceptualizing a study, gathering data, managing incoming data, and analyzing results—are all covered in this course. The methodologies covered include anthropological, historical, and narrative.
Educational psychology theories
Through a comprehensive examination of important educational psychology theories, this course expands on previous graduate and undergraduate studies.
The research that has already been done on learning across the lifetime, motivation, assessments, and other topics is examined by the students.
Internships and Licenses Needed to Become an Educational Psychologist
The majority of jobs in educational psychology require a master’s degree in addition to the appropriate licensure, while certain roles just call for a bachelor’s degree.
A doctorate may be required by some employers, depending on the position. Students should research the requirements for licensure in their state after earning a graduate degree at a recognized institution and fulfilling the practical requirements.
New graduates typically have to complete an internship at a school or educational institution for at least a year. Some states demand a two-year internship.
Candidates must additionally apply for certification through the National Association of School Psychologists in some states.
The National School Psychology Examination is offered three times a year to candidates. The state Department of education may require further certification from graduates who intend to work in public schools.
Jobs for Graduates in Educational Psychology
Depending on their degree and region, graduates of online programs in educational psychology can explore a wide range of job options.
While some educational psychologists prefer to support college students, others choose to work in K–12 settings.
No matter where they are, educational psychologists frequently interact with administrators and teachers to improve instruction.
Additionally, they routinely visit schools to study the teaching methods that work best. Five jobs that students with an educational psychology degree can enter are listed below.
The annual salary of an educational psychologist is what?
Earning potential fluctuates depending on several variables. Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists made a median pay of $79,010 in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This information also includes psychologists who work in fields other than education.
According to PayScale, educational psychologists make more money with a Ph.D. than with a master’s degree.
Earning potential is also influenced by other variables, such as location and the employer in question. The second-most prevalent employment sector for psychologists is elementary and secondary schools, with the majority working as independent consultants for themselves.
The field of educational psychology includes a variety of roles and work responsibilities, each with a range of potential salaries.
The median pay for a variety of jobs frequently held by educational psychologists, such as behavior analyzers, school psychologists, and educational consultants, is shown in the table below.
- Average Annual Salary by Position
- $59,974 Behavior Analyst
- $61,176 for a school psychologist
- $61,101 Educational Consultant
- $72,882 Educational Psychologist
- $85,379 Training Director
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