Educational psychology is the study of how students learn in formal and informal settings. An online Master’s in Educational Psychology is a great option for students and working professionals who want to learn more about the psychological processes at play in a wide range of individuals. An accessible online Master’s in Educational Psychology can equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in a wide range of fields, including education, social service, and government.
You might already know the names Plato and Aristotle, the founding fathers of educational psychology. These two philosophers laid the groundwork for what has since gone through many revisions. Educational psychology has recently adopted prominent theories from other branches of psychology, such as behavioral, cognitive, and social psychology. Various theoretical frameworks can be found in these areas of study.
What Does an Educational Psychology Degree Entail?
Graduates from educational psychology programs are qualified for a variety of careers in the education sector, including teaching, counseling, and administration. Many fields place a premium on experience and training, making the study of learning vital. You need to get your degree first, though.
While educational psychology degrees may focus on a wide variety of topics, they all revolve around one central question: how do people learn? Courses like “Multicultural Issues in Learning,” “Introduction to Computer-Based Education,” “Applied Statistical Methods in Education,” and others are offered as part of university programs to accomplish this goal. These classes are great for anyone interested in a career in education, government, or any other field.
If you want to get a master’s degree in educational psychology online, you should meet or exceed these standards:
• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 is required; some more competitive institutions may require a 3.0 or higher.
You need: • An undergraduate degree from an associated program.
Two or more favorable letters of recommendation are required.
• GRE scores are required by some universities but not others.
• Relevant work experience highlighted on your resume.
How much do school psychologists make?
Earning potential for an educational psychologist can vary depending on factors such as location, years of experience, level of education, and employer. According to PayScale, the average salary for an educational psychologist is $72,882. PayScale data also demonstrates that salaries increase as years of service are accumulated.
Can I expect to make a living wage after earning a master’s degree in educational psychology?
Earning a master’s degree in educational psychology can be very beneficial. This degree can lead to lucrative careers in fields like psychology, research, consulting, and administration. Experts in this field frequently investigate effective teaching methods and work to expand access to education for all students.
Graduates with a master’s degree in educational psychology have the option to continue their education and earn a doctorate, which can open doors to careers in teaching and research. Professorial positions that lead to tenure are open to those with doctoral degrees.
With a master’s in educational psychology, what career paths are available to me?
School psychologists, educational consultants, researchers, higher education administrators, and school counselors are just some of the careers open to those with master’s degrees in educational psychology. They could also work as principals in elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as college professors in their local community colleges, or as instructional coordinators who oversee the creation of curricula for entire school districts.
Master’s degree holders in educational psychology have broad options for doctoral study in a variety of subfields of psychology and education. Students who complete these programs will be well-prepared for careers in the research and academic fields.
How can one best maximize their salary in the field of educational psychology?
School psychologists are the highest-paying jobs for those with a master’s degree in educational psychology. According to the BLS, as of May 2021, the median annual salary for the top 10% of psychologists was over $133,890.
Many of these professionals have likely been in practice for quite some time and are employed by high-paying sectors like the government, both of which contribute significantly to salary. Keep in mind that a master’s degree may suffice in some cases, but a doctorate is typically required for these roles.
The Best 5 Online Schools for a Psychology Degree
1. Saint Louis University
The University of Missouri–St. Louis offers a highly regarded online Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Psychology that can be completed in as little as 12-18 months. Modifications can be made to the course load in order to accommodate individual learning styles and professional aspirations. Courses in pedagogical evaluation techniques and other forms of educational technology are available as electives for students.
There are a variety of classes offered, including one on how to design and assess educational programs.
Expertise in early childhood and adolescent education
• The emotional well-being and maturation of kids and teenagers.
Students have the option of completing an internship, writing a thesis, or creating and evaluating an advanced course as their culminating experience.
Tennessee State University
The University of Tennessee’s Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling provides an accessible and reasonably priced online master’s degree in educational psychology for working professionals. Those enrolled in this program can choose between two different concentrations: adult education and applied educational psychology. Students are required to visit their virtual classroom at specific times during the week and on the weekends so that they can take part in live lectures and discussions with their peers and professors. After finishing 36 credits of non-thesis coursework, students must pass a comprehensive exam with a passing grade of at least 70%. First-year students can enroll in the program in the winter, spring, or summer terms.
3 Ball State University
Ball State University’s online Master of Arts in Educational Psychology program is a carbon copy of the school’s on-campus offering. Online students have access to the same curriculum and career development resources as their on-campus counterparts, and their instructors are the same. If you’re really motivated, you can finish this program in a year, but most students will need around 18 months.
Neuropsychology, ABA, HD, and GT are some of the areas of focus available to students in this program. Students take four elective courses related to their concentration in addition to the required core courses. Psychology of Human Development, Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Advanced Educational Psychology are the foundational courses.
4. The University of Northern Colorado
Teaching is a delicate balancing act. Teachers have a responsibility to give equal time and effort to the most engaged and least engaged students. Additionally, they need to challenge their brightest students while providing adequate accommodations for their slowest learners. This is a tough task. As such, the University of Northern Colorado’s Master of Arts in educational psychology program with a teaching applications concentration places equal emphasis on both the art and science of education.
In this program, you’ll take classes like “Educational Psychology for Teachers,” “Cultural Issues in Educational Psychology,” “Motivation in Education,” and “Educational Assessment,” all of which are among the best in their respective fields. Students in this program are required to write a research paper on a topic related to the program as part of the comprehensive exam.
5. The University of Pittsburgh at Edinboro
Perspectives at Edinboro University are unique. In addressing the problem, they take the stance of a group that is sympathetic to the plight of educators. Teachers face a number of difficulties, including low pay, long hours, and the pressure to show qualitative improvement in their students. Edinboro University’s Master of Education in educational psychology helps educators in many ways, including collecting and presenting evidence of their students’ development.
Some of the classes that students take include Learning Theories, Seminar in Special Education, Research in Education, Foundations of Literacy, and Human Development Across the Lifespan. In order to graduate, students need to submit an applied research project and achieve a score of 70% or higher on the comprehensive exam.
The best five virtual universities offering degrees in educational psychology are listed below.
Conclusion
Graduates of master’s programs in educational psychology often pursue doctorates in the field. The long-term goals of the vast majority of educational psychology students lie in the fields of teaching, research, or administration. In most cases, employers will look for candidates with a terminal degree.