A note from the author, Imed Bouchrika, PhD, career planning expert:
In 2022, the National Assessment of Educational Progress revealed historic declines in American students' skills, particularly in reading and mathematics. This highlights the need for educational psychologists, listed among the best majors with high-paying jobs, who focus on improving teaching and learning through assessments, interventions, and counseling. As a seasoned career planning expert with over a decade of experience, I recognize the challenges in deciding to pursue this path, especially considering the need for a master's in educational psychology and examinations like the psychology licensure. To help you overcome that challenge, I have analyzed a wide range of government data and academic reports to create this guide to career prospects for people with a master’s in educational psychology.
A master's degree in educational psychology is a graduate-level program that focuses on the application of psychological principles and theories to the field of education. Minding the difference between psychology and psychiatry, you will realize that a master's in educational psychology is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in areas such as human development, learning theory, motivation, cognition, assessment, and research methods. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in the United States, there were 8,137 master's degrees conferred in educational psychology in the academic year 2018-2019. This number includes both Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in educational psychology.
The curriculum of a master's in educational psychology program typically includes courses in educational statistics, research methods, human development, learning and cognition, motivation, assessment and evaluation, and intervention strategies. Students may also have the opportunity to specialize in specific areas of educational psychology, such as instructional design, educational technology, or school psychology.
Based on the master's in educational psychology definition, this degree can lead to a variety of career paths in research, program evaluation, educational administration, curriculum design, and instructional technology. Graduates may also pursue further education at the doctoral level in educational psychology or related fields.
There are several core skills that individuals can gain from taking educational psychology courses or earning a degree in educational psychology, including an understanding of human development, knowledge of learning theories, data analysis and research skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Graduates with a master's degree in educational psychology can pursue various career paths in education, research, or related fields. Some major career paths for graduates include the educational researcher role, curriculum designer role, school psychologist role, and educational consultant.
As of May 2021, there are 57,110 school psychologists with a degree in psychology employed in the U.S. with a mean annual wage of $82,770 (BLS, 2022). The industries with the highest levels of employment include elementary and secondary schools (48,380), educational support services (2,250), and colleges, universities, and professional schools (1,410) (BLS, 2022). In 2021, hundreds of psychologists and social workers were hired to provide mental health support to students in New York City schools.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
The cost of obtaining a master's degree in psychology can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the location of the university, the type of institution, and whether the program is completed on-campus or online.
According to The College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for a master's degree program in psychology during the 2021-2022 academic year was $11,049 for in-state students at public institutions and $27,679 for out-of-state students. Private universities, on the other hand, charged an average of $31,626 per year. It is worth noting that these figures are just estimates. The actual cost of master's in educational psychology tuition and fees can vary depending on the specific program and institution.
A master's degree in educational psychology can prepare graduates for a wide range of career paths, such as working in schools, mental health clinics, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. Graduates may also be qualified to work as educational consultants, instructional designers, or researchers.
Graduates with a master's degree in educational psychology may be more competitive in the job market and have access to higher-paying positions. The BLS reports that individuals with a master's degree in psychology earned a median annual salary of $80,370 as of May 2020, which is significantly higher than the median annual salary for individuals with just a bachelor's degree in psychology, which was $51,180.
A master's degree in educational psychology can provide graduates with a deeper understanding of human development, learning, and behavior, as well as practical skills in research, assessment, and intervention.
Educational psychologists explore a wide range of topics related to education, including motivation, cognition, intelligence, memory, attention, assessment, teaching methods, classroom management, and social-emotional development. They use their findings to develop theories, conduct research, and create practical applications that can be used to improve educational practices and outcomes.
The goal of educational psychology is to promote learning and development for all individuals, regardless of age, background, or ability level. A master's degree in educational psychology provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and improve the learning experiences of individuals and groups within educational settings.
As the field of education continues to evolve and adapt to new technologies and pedagogical approaches, there is a growing need for professionals who can apply principles of psychology to help students learn more effectively. Additionally, there is an increasing awareness of the importance of mental health and social-emotional learning in schools, leading to a greater need for educational psychologists to provide counseling and support to students.
If you are thinking about what can you do with a masters in educational psychology, graduates of this program may find employment in a variety of settings, including K-12 schools, colleges and universities, research institutions, and non-profit organizations. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there were over 3.7 million full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States in fall 2019. This large number of teachers indicates a potentially high demand for educational psychologists who can provide support and resources to help these teachers and their students succeed.
If you want to push your career further, you can pursue a medical track, for instance, psychiatry. Why is the ROI for becoming a psychiatrist high? Because psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in mental health care. Their extensive education, training, and expertise make them highly valued professionals in the healthcare industry. The return on investment for the years of education, training, and dedication required to become a psychiatrist is often reflected in the substantial financial rewards and career opportunities available in this field.
The salary range for graduates of master's in educational psychology programs can vary depending on several factors, such as years of experience, location, industry, and specific job duties. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for school psychologists was $78,780 as of May 2021. The lowest 10% earned less than $49,260, and the highest 10% earned more than $124,950.
For instructional coordinators, the average salary is around $63,740 per year. However, salaries can range from approximately $49,000 to $101,000 annually. The average salary for an educational consultant is around $93,000 per year and can range from approximately $50,190 to $163,000 per year.
Source: National Association of School Psychologists
Educational psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the scientific study of human learning and development within educational settings. It seeks to understand how individuals learn, develop, and acquire knowledge and skills, and how this process can be enhanced through effective teaching and learning strategies. Although there are different master's in educational psychology types, all programs aim to enhance the skills of those facilitating learning. See also our online masters in industrial organizational psychology guide to compare your options for a master's degree in psychology.
One significant contribution of educational psychology in enhancing learning is the concept of social and emotional learning. According to this concept, social, emotional, and cognitive development are intertwined in the brain and in behavior and influence school and life outcomes. Jones et al (2019) in their work entitled "Social and Emotional Learning: A Principled Science of Human Development in Context" identified the key framework related to this research. Published in the Educational Psychologist, the authors evaluated two decades of research, which found that, "Students who participated in SEL programming demonstrated statistically significant follow-up effects across all outcomes, including improved academic achievement and social and emotional skills, as well as reduced antisocial behavior and mental health problems. Another follow-up meta-analysis of 82 studies involving more than 97,000 students revealed that participants continued to demonstrate positive benefits of SEL programs across seven outcome domains for an average of 3.75 years following the intervention."
Here we present the most common master's in educational psychology programs.
This program typically emphasizes research and data analysis skills. It focuses on quantitative research methods and statistics to prepare students for careers in research, evaluation, and assessment. Coursework may include human development and learning, educational assessment and evaluation, and motivation in education. Graduates of MS in Educational Psychology can pursue careers in various fields, such as education, research, and consulting.
Entry-level jobs: educational consultant, school counselor, researcher, assessment specialist, instructional designer
This postgraduate program is more focused on the practical application of educational psychology. It emphasizes qualitative research methods and prepares students for careers in educational administration, counseling, or other areas of education. Courses include educational psychology, learning and cognition, and multicultural perspectives in education. Graduates of this program can pursue careers in various fields, such as education, counseling, research, or human resources.
Entry-level jobs: training and development specialist, curriculum developer, learning specialist
The focus of this program is specifically on the application of psychology to the school environment. It prepares students to work as school psychologists who provide counseling and support services to students, and who consult with teachers and parents to promote academic success and positive social-emotional development. Educational assessment, child and adolescent psychopathology, and consultation and collaboration in schools are some courses that you will have to take in this program. Graduates can pursue careers in K-12 schools, clinics, hospitals, or private practice.
Entry-level jobs: special education coordinator, behavioral interventionist, educational consultant
The use of technology to enhance learning and teaching is at the core of this program. It equips students to be able to design, develop, and evaluate instructional materials and programs using digital technology and other multimedia tools. Among the subjects are learning theories and instructional design, multimedia design and development, and evaluation of instructional materials. Offered both on campus or online, graduates of this program can pursue careers in various settings, such as education, corporate training, healthcare, or government agencies.
Entry-level jobs: eLearning specialist, educational technology specialist, instructional designer
The specific requirements for enrolling in a graduate educational psychology degree may vary depending on the institution and the program. School psychologists typically complete at least 60 graduate semester hours, which take three years, culminating in a year-long 1,200- to 1,500-hour supervised internship (NASP, 2023). However, how long it would take you to finish your psychology degree will depend on the type of program that you will take.
Here are some general requirements that are commonly requested by universities and institutions.
To succeed in a master's program in educational psychology, students will need to possess or develop a range of skills. Here are some examples of master's in educational psychology skills that may prove helpful in pursuing this type of graduate study.
Source: ACT 2023: Disruptions and Gains: Students’ Reflections on the Effects of the Pandemic
Choosing a master's in educational psychology program can be a significant decision, and several factors should be considered. It is important to carefully research and compare different programs to ensure that you choose a program that aligns with your career goals, interests, and needs. Here are some important factors that you need to consider:
The best master's programs in educational psychology equip students with the right tools to have the capacity to address the most challenging problems in learning. Among the initiatives for learning recovery being implemented by educational psychology experts today are tailored accelerated instruction (59%), remedial instruction (81%), and identifying individual needs with diagnostic assessment data (88%) (IES, 2023).
The Research.com team evaluated the masters in educational psychology programs offered by universities and institutions today to identify the top programs based on flexibility, program design, core courses, and specializations offered. The following are the top programs based on the criteria mentioned.
The MS in Educational Psychology offered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison equips students to work as researchers and practitioners in educational settings, with an emphasis on the application of psychological theories and principles to education. The program is flexible, allowing students to choose from a variety of areas of specialization, including learning sciences, quantitative methods, and school psychology.
This MS degree in Educational Psychology requires a minimum of 30 credits, including a core set of courses and elective courses in the student's area of specialization. Students are also required to complete a capstone project, which may be a research paper, thesis, or applied project.
This master's program is designed to provide students with an understanding of human learning, development, and motivation, as well as the skills needed to apply that knowledge in educational and workplace settings. The online format allows students to complete the program at their own pace and on their own schedule, while still receiving the same quality of education as on-campus students.
The MS degree in Educational Psychology requires 33 credit hours, including core courses in psychology, research methods, and statistics, as well as elective courses in areas such as motivation, cognition, and assessment. Students also have the option to complete a thesis or a comprehensive examination.
The University of Georgia MA in Educational Psychology prepares students to work as researchers and practitioners in educational settings, with a focus on the application of psychological theories and principles to educational practice. The program offers several areas of emphasis, including gifted and creative education, learning and development, and evaluation, measurement, and statistics.
The MA degree in Educational Psychology requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, including core courses in educational psychology and research methods, as well as elective courses in the student's area of emphasis. Students also have the option to complete a thesis or a non-thesis track.
This master's program is structured to provide students with an understanding of the psychological factors that underpin successful learning and how to apply this knowledge to educational practice. It offers a range of modules, covering topics such as cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology, as well as research methods and statistical analysis.
The MA degree in Education and Psychology requires a minimum of 180 credits, including core modules and optional modules, as well as a research dissertation. Students can choose to specialize in one of four pathways: Child Development and Education, Psychology of Education, Language, Literacies and Learning, or Neuroscience and Education.
The MSc Education: Child and Adolescent Psychology intends to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of child and adolescent development, and the factors contributing to positive outcomes for children and young people. The Child and Adolescent Psychology Pathway offers a range of courses covering topics such as social and emotional development, language development, and developmental disorders.
The pathway requires students to complete a minimum of 180 credits, including core courses in education research and optional courses in child and adolescent psychology. Students also have the opportunity to undertake an independent research project.
Source: Institute of Education Sciences
Taking your master's in educational psychology should not be as difficult to decide as when you had to choose which bachelor degree is best. As the information provided by the Research.com team conveys in this article, the field of educational psychology may seem broad and the different areas seem to overlap often. Still, every type of program focuses on a distinct area of learning.
You may choose to pursue a career in the area of research, where you can contribute to developing theories and principles that can pave the way for a new era of teaching and learning, or you may also pursue the application of psychological principles and theories to educational practice.
Whichever path you choose, educational psychology is revolutionizing learning, and choosing to take this master's program will give you a chance to contribute to the advancement of education that will benefit generations.