Educational Psychology Jobs & Career Guide 2023

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.

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.