Educational Psychology Jobs & Career Guide 2024

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By PsychologyJobs.com Staff Writer

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What Is an Educational Psychologist?

An educational psychologist applies principles of psychology to understanding and addressing learning and developmental issues in students of all ages.

Educational psychologists may work in schools, universities, or other educational settings, and their work may involve conducting assessments, providing counseling or intervention services, developing educational programs or curricula, or conducting research to advance the field of educational psychology.

They may also work with teachers, parents, and other educational professionals to promote positive learning outcomes and support the overall well-being of students.

What Is an Educational Psychologist Responsible For?

Educational psychologists are responsible for promoting positive learning outcomes and supporting the overall well-being of students through the application of psychological principles and practices.

Here are some of the specific responsibilities:

  • Conducting assessments: conduct assessments to evaluate students’ cognitive, academic, and socio-emotional functioning. These assessments can help to identify areas of strength and weakness and inform educational programming and intervention strategies.
  • Providing counseling or intervention services: provide individual or group counseling or intervention services to students who are struggling with academic or personal issues. These services can help to address behavioral, emotional, or social difficulties that may be impacting students’ ability to learn and succeed.
  • Developing educational programs or curricula: work with teachers, curriculum developers, or educational administrators to develop educational programs or curricula that are effective and evidence-based. They may also evaluate existing programs or curricula to ensure that they are meeting the needs of students.
  • Conducting research: conduct research to advance the field of educational psychology and improve educational outcomes for students. This research may focus on topics such as learning and cognition, motivation, or social and emotional development.
  • Consulting with teachers, parents, and other educational professionals: consult with teachers, parents, and other educational professionals to provide guidance and support on issues related to learning, behavior, or development.
“As an educational psychologist, I am constantly learning and growing in my understanding of how children learn and develop. Whether I’m conducting research, consulting with teachers, or working directly with students, my goal is always to support positive learning outcomes and promote the overall well-being of students. It can be challenging at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to see the progress that students can make when they have the right supports and interventions in place.”
Dr. Tony Cellucci, a licensed psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Alabama

Here is what a typical day might look like:

8:00 AM – Arrive at work and check emails, voice messages, and other correspondence.

8:30 AM – Meet with a school administrator to discuss the implementation of a new educational program or intervention.

9:30 AM – Conduct an assessment of a student’s academic and behavioral functioning.

11:00 AM – Meet with a parent to discuss their child’s progress and provide guidance on how to support their child’s learning and development.

12:00 PM – Take a lunch break.

1:00 PM – Attend a meeting with teachers to discuss strategies for supporting students with learning disabilities.

2:00 PM – Develop a new intervention program for students with behavior issues.

3:30 PM – Meet with a school counselor to discuss a student’s progress in therapy.

4:30 PM – Wrap up the day by completing administrative tasks, such as documenting assessment results or updating student records.

Where Does an Educational Psychologist Work?

Educational Psychologists are most commonly employed by a school system. This isn’t the only sector where they can find work though:

  • Colleges and universities
  • Government agencies
  • Private practice
  • Non-profit organizations

How to become an educational psychologist

It will take at least 6 years to become an educational psychologist once you factor in degrees and the licensing process.

Education

The first step is getting a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a closely related field, like sociology. Depending on your college, you may be able to major in a specific psychological branch, but these programs are still relatively rare.

After graduating with your bachelor’s, it’s time to get a higher education degree. You’ll need at least a master’s degree, but if you want the ability to diagnose learning disorders, you’ll have to earn a doctorate. See also; our guide to a PhD in Educational Psychology.

Internship

An internship or supervised practicum is a requirement for many educational psychology programs, as it provides students with hands-on experience working in educational or clinical settings. The internship may involve working in a school, university, or other educational setting, and may be supervised by a licensed educational psychologist or other qualified professional.

Licensure

For students that complete a master’s degree in educational psychology but don’t intend to pursue a doctorate program and instead plan to seek employment as an educational consultant or similar will not need to pursue a license.

However licensure is a requirement for practicing as an educational psychologist in most states. Licensure requirements vary by state, but typically include the following steps:

  1. Complete a doctoral degree: Educational psychologists must typically complete a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited program.
  2. Accumulate supervised experience: Most states require educational psychologists to complete a certain number of supervised hours of experience, typically ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 hours.
  3. Pass a licensing exam: Educational psychologists must typically pass a licensing exam, which may be the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) or a state-specific exam.

How Much Money Does an Educational Psychologist Earn?

Their place of employment and years of experience heavily influence an Educational Psychologist’s salary. The average salary of an educational psychologist is $82,180 with a starting salary of around $59,000. Please consult our educational psychologist salary guide for more insights.

Latest Educational Psychologist Job Listings

PositionCompanyLocationPosted
School PsychologistSussex Technical School District Georgetown, Delaware US12/09/2024
Category: Student Support Services/School PsychologistDate Posted: 11/19/2024Location: Sussex Technical High SchoolDate of Availability: Mutually Agreeable DateDate Closing: 12/3/2024 or until filledPosition: School PsychologistLocation: Sussex Technical High SchoolReports To: … More
Assistant Professor-School Psychology, Tenure TrackRadford University Virginia US12/06/2024
The Department of Psychology in the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences at Radford University invites applications for a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in School Psychology within our M.S./Ed.S. program starting in the Fall of 2025. Area of specialization is open. Responsibilities of this position include: 1) teaching graduate courses in our NASP recognized school psychology program as well as serving as a mentor to graduate students in a program that … More
Assistant Professor, School PsychologyNorthern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona US11/24/2024
Assistant Professor, School Psychology Location: COE: Educational Psychology Regular/Temporary: Regular Job ID: 608128 Full/Part Time: Full-Time Workplace Culture NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable … More
Position
School Psychologist
Category: Student Support Services/School PsychologistDate Posted: 11/19/2024Location: Sussex Technical High SchoolDate of Availability: Mutually Agreeable DateDate Closing: 12/3/2024 or until filledPosition: School PsychologistLocation: Sussex Technical High SchoolReports To: … More
Company
Sussex Technical School District
Location
Georgetown, Delaware US
Posted
12/09/2024
Position
Assistant Professor-School Psychology, Tenure Track
The Department of Psychology in the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences at Radford University invites applications for a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in School Psychology within our M.S./Ed.S. program starting in the Fall of 2025. Area of specialization is open. Responsibilities of this position include: 1) teaching graduate courses in our NASP recognized school psychology program as well as serving as a mentor to graduate students in a program that … More
Company
Radford University
Location
Virginia US
Posted
12/06/2024
Position
Assistant Professor, School Psychology
Assistant Professor, School Psychology Location: COE: Educational Psychology Regular/Temporary: Regular Job ID: 608128 Full/Part Time: Full-Time Workplace Culture NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable … More
Company
Northern Arizona University
Location
Flagstaff, Arizona US
Posted
11/24/2024