An online educational psychology degree prepares you to apply psychological principles and evidence-based approaches to enhance teaching practices and improve learning outcomes in schools, organizations, and communities. Whether you’re interested in conducting research, supporting student development, or designing education programs, this field offers a unique and rewarding career path within education.
Ready to find your program? Browse over 190 educational psychology degree listings below.
What Is Educational Psychology?
Educational psychology is the study of how individuals learn and develop within diverse educational settings, including K-12 schools and higher education institutions.
Professionals in this field:
- Analyze how students process, retain, and apply information
- Study motivation, student behavior, and learning differences
- Develop strategies to enhance teaching practices and student learning
- Design and evaluate interventions for students with learning challenges
This interdisciplinary field bridges psychology and education, focusing more on how people learn than what is taught. Educational psychologists work closely with school administrators, teachers, and educational consultants to improve education programs and student outcomes.
Students comparing all program options across fields can also explore
What You Can Do With an Educational Psychology Degree
An educational psychology degree opens doors to a broad range of career opportunities focused on improving learning experiences and educational practices.
Common career paths include:
- Educational psychologist
- School psychologist (with additional licensure)
- Educational researcher
- Instructional consultant or curriculum developer
- Academic advisor or learning specialist
Graduates may work in schools, universities, government agencies, corporate training departments, or private organizations focused on educational technology and development programs.
Students exploring related fields may also consider:
- Education Administration Degrees
- Secondary Education Degrees
- Elementary Education Degrees
- Library Science Degrees
- Higher Education Degrees
- Teacher Leadership Degrees
- Instructional Design Degrees
- Early Childhood Education Degrees
- School Counseling Degrees
Career Paths in Educational Psychology
This field offers both applied and research-focused careers that contribute to educational advancement.
Examples include:
- Educational Psychologists
Develop learning strategies, assess student needs, and collaborate with educators to enhance teaching and learning - Educational Researchers
Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to evaluate educational programs and inform policy - Learning and Development Specialists
Design and implement training programs for schools, businesses, or human services organizations
Many roles involve working with education professionals, students, and policymakers to foster positive academic and emotional development in school settings.
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations
Educational psychology careers offer strong long-term growth and competitive salaries.
- Salaries range from approximately $65,000 to $113,000 depending on role, experience, and location
- School psychologists earn around $84,000 or more annually
- Doctoral-level professionals may earn $90,000 to $150,000+
Demand is increasing as schools and organizations emphasize evidence-based teaching practices and student behavior management.
Why Choose Educational Psychology
This field is ideal for individuals passionate about the science behind learning and educational improvement.
Key benefits include:
- Opportunity to enhance education systems through research findings and program evaluation
- Diverse career paths in schools, research institutions, consulting, and educational technology
- Strong demand for expertise in learning, motivation, and development programs
- Ability to work with both students and education professionals to improve academic performance
What You’ll Learn in an Educational Psychology Program
Programs provide a research-based curriculum covering human development, learning theory, and educational assessment.
Common coursework includes:
- Learning theories and cognitive and adolescent development
- Motivation, student behavior, and emotional development in educational settings
- Research methods, statistical methods, and program evaluation
- Educational assessment and instructional design
- Application of evidence-based approaches to enhance teaching and learning
These courses prepare you to understand and improve student learning and educational practices in real-world educational settings.
Is Educational Psychology Right for You?
This field suits individuals who enjoy critical thinking, research, and problem-solving related to education.
You may be a good fit if you:
- Are curious about how people learn and develop across the lifespan
- Enjoy analyzing research findings and applying them to education programs
- Want to enhance teaching practices without necessarily being a classroom teacher
- Have strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills
Educational psychology is especially appealing to students interested in influencing education at systemic and policy levels.
Education Path and Degree Options
Most careers in educational psychology require advanced education from an accredited institution.
- Bachelor’s degree as a foundation, often in psychology, education, or related fields
- Online master's degree in educational psychology for applied roles and career advancement
- Online educational psychology doctoral degree (PhD or EdD) for research, academic, or licensed psychologist positions
Many roles—especially licensed school psychologists—require completion of internships or practicum experiences and relevant licensure.
Certifications and Career Advancement
Licensure and certifications are often necessary depending on your career goals.
Common pathways include:
- State licensure for school psychologists and behavior analysts
- Certifications in counseling, assessment, or applied behavior analysis
- Advanced credentials for research, program evaluation, or academic positions
Continuing education is typically required to maintain licensure and stay current with research and educational practices.
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How to Choose the Right Program
When selecting an online educational psychology program, consider:
- Alignment with your career goals (research-oriented vs applied practice)
- Accreditation status and program reputation
- Availability of internships, practicums, and field experience opportunities
- Curriculum that includes core courses in research methods, lifespan development, and educational practices
Programs with strong faculty members and flexible online education formats offer the best preparation for online students.
GetEducated has many ranking reports for education psychology related degrees:
- Master's degree in educational psychology ranking report
- Master's degree in school counseling ranking report
Cost of Educational Psychology Degrees
Tuition and fees vary by degree level and institution.
- Bachelor’s degrees typically range from $30,000 to $50,000
- Master’s degrees often range from $15,000 to $30,000
- Doctoral programs generally have higher costs based on program length and resources
Students should also budget for course materials, application fees, and other expenses associated with graduate admissions.
Compare Accredited Online Educational Psychology Programs
Use resources like GetEducated to find accredited colleges offering flexible online master’s and doctoral programs.
You can:
- Compare tuition rates and program features
- Explore specialization options such as gifted learners, applied behavior analysis, or educational technology
- Find programs with strong career services and support for online students
Browse programs below to discover options that fit your schedule and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an educational psychology degree?
An educational psychology degree focuses on understanding how people learn, using psychological principles and research findings to improve teaching methods, student learning, and educational programs.
What is the difference between educational psychology and teaching?
Teaching focuses on delivering instruction, while educational psychology studies the learning process itself to enhance educational practices and student outcomes.
Do you need a doctorate in educational psychology?
Many advanced roles require a doctoral degree, but applied positions often only require a master’s degree, especially when combined with licensure.
What jobs can you get with an educational psychology degree?
Graduates can work as educational psychologists, educational consultants, school psychologists, researchers, or learning specialists in various educational and organizational settings.
How much do educational psychology professionals make?
Salaries typically range from $65,000 to over $113,000 annually, with higher earnings for experienced and doctoral-level professionals.
Is educational psychology a good career?
Yes. It offers strong demand, diverse career opportunities, and the chance to positively impact education systems and student success.
Is educational psychology difficult?
It involves challenging coursework in research methods, data analysis, and human behavior, but it is rewarding for those passionate about education and learning science.
Can you work outside of schools with this degree?
Absolutely. Many professionals work in corporate training, educational technology, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations focused on human services and development.
