The Masters in Educational Psychology prepares candidates to work in academia, public and private schools and research institutes. The role of this degree is to bring theory and research together in order to better educate children and adults. This program is designed to increase a candidate’s knowledge of child development, research methodology, learning theories, educational measurement, statistics and research methods. School counselors, K-12 teachers, community college teachers or educational researchers are the professionals who will most likely earn a Masters in Educational Psychology.
Prerequisites for admission to this program vary according to the particular accredited school a student chooses to attend. Most universities require a minimum GRE score for admission. Students are usually expected to hold a bachelor’s degree. In fact, some schools may only admit students who have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology. Most universities will require that Masters in Educational Psychology students complete a thesis, comprehensive exam and coursework in statistics, research, learning theories and human development.
Many programs offer an online Masters in Educational Psychology. Online schools such as The University of Phoenix and Kaplan University have convenient, flexible programs. According to U.S. News and World Report, California’s Stanford University has one of the best Masters of Educational Psychology degrees in the country. This program combines with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is usually aimed at doctoral students. The University of Wisconsin—Madison is another highly ranked school for this degree. Students of this program must take a full-time schedule which includes access to online classes.
Popular Masters in Educational Psychology Degree Careers
Masters in Educational Psychology careers range from school psychologists to research jobs of various types. School psychologists work with parents and teachers to help students who have learning, social or emotional problems. These professionals may have to earn additional requirements beyond the Masters degree depending upon the state where they work. The median nationwide salary for a school psychologist is $68,640. This varies depending upon the state where the psychologist works.
Another career that is available for this Masters degree is as a school counselor. Counselors help students develop the skills necessary for success in school. They provide one-on-one counseling sessions and work closely with teachers to help students with learning difficulties. Like school psychologists, counselors are required to have a state license. School counselors have a median salary of $53,000. This salary will depend upon location and experience. A first year counselor will earn less than a seasoned professional.
Masters in Educational Psychology jobs also include careers as educational researchers. These experts try to develop new ways of teaching or create training programs for school and businesses. Some of these positions require a Ph.D. as well as a Masters in Educational Psychology. Researcher positions may not be as plentiful because they are usually found only in university towns. Educational researchers’ annual salaries range from $63,000 to $83,000. The Masters of Educational Psychology offers many opportunities to anyone who enjoys helping children and adults learn.
Additional Resource: Best Online Masters in Psychology Degree Programs
