Essential Information
Often working for K-12 schools and other academic settings, those with an educational psychology degree serve as instructors, curriculum developers or researchers. Such positions usually require a graduate degree.
These graduate degree programs are often designed for experienced teachers looking for advanced knowledge to apply in the classroom or in other education settings. Curriculum focuses on study outcomes, instructional processes and student attributes directly related to classrooms and schools. They also address child development and individual differences in learning.
Common online graduate programs in this field include the Master of Science, Master of Education, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology. Master's-level programs may be used as a stepping stone to doctoral studies in the field.
Students typically must have a bachelor's degree and possibly GRE scores to be eligible for admission into these programs. Admission to doctoral programs - which prepare students for administration, research and teaching careers - usually requires a master's degree, GRE scores and a relevant work history.
Courses are offered fully online, making use of video conferencing. However, some programs may require in-person residencies or research presentations.
Graduate Programs
Students enrolled in an online educational psychology graduate program often complete a core set of courses and then may choose from various electives to perhaps pursue a specialization. Concentration options may include cognition and learning, bilingual education, research methods or gifted education.
Course Topics
Typical distance learning classes in these programs can include the following:
- Techniques of Research in Educational Psychology
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Educational Program Evaluations
- Educational Measurements and Statistics
- Learning Theories
- Content Area Instruction
- Counseling and Information Technology
- Advanced Human Growth and Development
Learning Environment
Students must adhere to the same rules and regulations, as well as the same coursework, as those in campus-based educational psychology programs. Distance-learning classes may be taught through video classes, videoconferencing or interactive live course delivery. Schools' course management systems typically make lectures and assignments accessible any time of day to distance learners. Many programs in educational psychology are totally online, but some - especially those at the doctoral level - could require on-campus residencies or research presentations.
Career Information
Graduates with an educational psychology distance-learning master's degree are eligible to work in elementary and secondary schools. They could also find employment with consulting agencies, corporations, religious affiliations and the military. Possible job positions include the following:
- School Psychologist
- Educational Psychology Professor
- Educational Researcher
- Educational Administrator
- Educational Psychology Historian
- Sociologist
- Instructional Coordinator
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most psychologists are required to have a master's degree or doctorate to be licensed, and most employers require a specialist degree for school psychologists (www.bls.gov). Employment growth for clinical, counselling, and school psychologists is expected to be much faster than average, at 15% growth from 2018-2028. The BLS also projects that job opportunities for elementary and secondary teachers will both increase 3% and 4% respectively in the same time period.
Educational psychology distance learning can be taken at the master's or doctorate level, with most graduates pursuing work in elementary or secondary schools. Although courses are fully online with video conferencing, students must follow the same curriculum and regulations as their on-campus peers.
