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Educational Psychology

Become an Educational Psychologist.

Educational psychologists study how children and adults learn in educational settings, in a continual effort to improve upon current teaching methods. To achieve this goal, they conduct research on classroom dynamics, teaching styles and learning variables.

Studying and improving how sub-groups of the population learn—such as gifted children and those with developmental disabilities—is another big part of what educational psychologists do. Note that Educational psychologists are not to be confused with school counselors or school psychologists, who assist students one-on-one.

Educational Psychologists perform the following duties:

  • Develop educational tests
  • Evaluate educational programs
  • Consult schools to implement teaching and testing changes

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Work Environment

Educational psychologists generally work in schools, universities, businesses, industries, learning centers and other human development settings. Here, they compile data, revise tests and study classroom activities in an effort to improve learning and teaching styles among students, faculty and other individuals. Educational psychologists must be thorough statisticians and possess sharp critical thinking skills.

Training and Education

Enrolling in a two-year master's in educational psychology (MEd) program is the shortest route to becoming an educational psychologist. These programs introduce students to courses in research methodology, human learning, development, and cognition. Individuals graduate with the ability to conduct basic and applied levels of research, as well as consult and evaluate the needs of private and public schools.

An education specialist (EdS) degree in school psychology is a requirement for those who wish to become school psychologists. This program is a simple follow-up to a MEd degree, and generally takes one to three years to complete.

Earning a Doctor of Education (EdD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in educational psychology usually involves a four- to six-year commitment. These programs delve further into the field of educational psychology by focusing on developmental specialties and age groups, as well as honing students' skills in the areas of research design, human development, and behavioral, educational and emotional problems.

Some graduate schools design EdD degree courses as continuation programs for EdS certification.

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Did You Know?

  • Aristotle and Plato were among the world's earliest educational psychologists. Around 400 BC, these two great thinkers were pondering questions that still puzzle us today: How do students learn? How does an education shape the mind and person? Do all students learn in roughly the same manner?
  • Educational philosophers developed and implemented the first standardized intelligence test, although debates within the profession still revolve around whether or not intelligence can be quantitatively measured.

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Walden University

At Walden, you'll benefit not only from our unique distance learning delivery models, but from the personal attention of our world-class faculty, and from a highly customized program that is directly related to your career goals.

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Salary Data

While there are no specific employment statistics for educational psychologists, demand for psychologists in general is expected to increase faster than the national average for all occupations through 2014, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In response to the continued and increasing demand for quality education and training programs, more educational psychologists are being employed throughout the United States.