Understanding how we learn isn’t just important to educational psychologists - it’s important to teachers, principals, students, and anyone who wants to teach others new information. Educational psychologists are uniquely positioned to study and disseminate these concepts due to their specialized training in understanding the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects of learning.

Day in and day out, they employ research methodologies and psychological theories to dissect how individuals absorb and retain information. Their insights contribute to the academic field and have practical applications, guiding educators in crafting more effective teaching strategies and creating learning environments that cater to diverse student needs.

If education and psychology are your passions, consider a career in educational psychology. You may find that there are more opportunities for you to indulge in these passions than you might think!

What does an Educational Psychologist Do?Job RequirementsSalarySchools for Educational Psychology DegreesCompanies That Hire Educational PsychologistsInterviews with an Educational PsychologistFamous Educational PsychologistsEducational Psychology Examples

What does an Educational Psychologist Do?

Job Requirements

Salary

Schools for Educational Psychology Degrees

Companies That Hire Educational Psychologists

Interviews with an Educational Psychologist

Famous Educational Psychologists

Educational Psychology Examples

Educational psychologists study how people learn and retain information to improve how information is taught. Their work occurs in and out of the classroom, in research facilities, and in the community, using a blend of cognitive, behavioral, and social psychology.

Educational psychologists' work may change how schools administer tests, teachers plan their lessons, or employers structure training sessions. Not all learning occurs inside a physical classroom, giving educational psychologists room to share their expertise with various organizations.

To become an educational psychologist, a substantial level of education is imperative. While some may conflate the roles of an educational psychologist with that of a school psychologist, it’s essential to note the distinction. An educational psychologist typically focuses on researching the broader learning and teaching processes, often at a macro level. In contrast, a school psychologist mainly works within schools, addressing the psychological needs of students and aiding in creating a conducive learning environment.

Those aiming to work as research assistants in the field might only need an undergraduate degree. However, pursuing a doctorate is crucial if you aspire to lead your research projects or be acknowledged as a practicing psychologist. Obtaining this degree sets you on the trajectory toward state licensure. It’s worth noting that the prerequisites for this license can vary across states. Moreover, additional licensure might be mandated depending on the specific institution or organization where you intend to work.

Knowledge is power - understanding how knowledge is obtained and stored is power, too! It’s not uncommon for educational psychologists to earn six figures. This is a highly desired but still niche field of psychology. A strong understanding of education and experience studying these topics can earn you six figures.

Educational Psychologist Reported SalaryLowAverageHighPayscale.com$50,000$75,116$112,000ZipRecruiter$23,000$93,411$215,500Salary.com$48,745$80,560$216,567Glassdoor$35,000$72,969$150,000

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Eager to delve into the world of educational psychology? Here’s a list of top-tier institutions offering esteemed programs in this discipline:

Choosing any of these esteemed institutions will provide a robust foundation in educational psychology, opening doors to myriad opportunities in academia, research, and applied practice.

Most educational psychologists work in schools, whether in grade school districts or colleges and universities. But learning doesn’t always take place in classrooms. Educational psychologists may serve as consultants for various organizations that have goals to teach customers, employees, or the people they work with and serve. Educational psychologists may also work with companies that work directly with schools. As an educational psychologist, you might find job opportunities with:

Want to follow the typical day in the life of a school psychologist? Head to YouTube! In this video, Dr. Charles Barrett describes his typical day.

Educational psychologists' work has directly impacted the tests you take, the way you study for tests, and the policies that community leaders make. As you embark on a career in educational psychology, these are some pioneering figures whose contributions have significantly shaped the field:

With their innovative theories and methodologies, these pioneers have left an indelible mark on educational psychology, influencing generations of educators and learners alike.

As an educational psychologist, you can also shape how students learn, teachers teach, and communities grow together. In your career, you might:

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Reference this article:Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Educational Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/educational-psychologist/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Educational Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/educational-psychologist/.Copy

Reference this article:

Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Educational Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/educational-psychologist/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Educational Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/educational-psychologist/.Copy

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