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Educational psychologist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an educational psychologist. Educational psychologists usually study psychology, counseling psychology, or education. 53% of educational psychologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 29% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 137 real educational psychologist resumes to see exactly what educational psychologist education sections show.

The most common colleges for educational psychologists are the Alliant International University and the Alliant International University.

There are also many online educational psychologist courses to help get the education required to be an educational psychologist.

What education do you need to become an educational psychologist?

What degree do you need to be an educational psychologist?

The most common degree for educational psychologists is bachelor's degree, with 53% of educational psychologists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 29% and master's degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 53%
  • Master's, 29%
  • Doctorate, 11%
  • Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an educational psychologist?

You should major in psychology to become an educational psychologist. 41% of educational psychologists major in psychology. Other common majors for an educational psychologist include counseling psychology and education.

Most common colleges for educational psychologists

Educational psychologists often get their degrees at Alliant International University, University of California, Irvine, and University of Washington. Here are the most common colleges for educational psychologists in the US based on their resumes.
Educational psychologist common collegePercentages
Alliant International University12.50%
University of California, Irvine8.33%
University of Washington8.33%
Colegio Universitario de San Juan4.17%
University of Connecticut4.17%

Best majors for educational psychologists

Best colleges for educational psychologists

The best colleges for educational psychologists are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

An educational psychologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for educational psychologists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become educational psychologists.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$53,399

Enrollment

7,356

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

6. University of California - San Diego

La Jolla, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,167

Enrollment

30,279

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Enrollment

16,205

9. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

10. Clemson University

Clemson, SC • Private

In-state tuition

$15,374

Enrollment

19,564

20 best online courses for educational psychologists

Advertising disclosure

1. Health, Housing, and Educational Services

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Course 5 discusses policies in four areas: housing, education, healthcare, and immigration, with an optional fifth module in child protection. This course addresses issues of power, oppression, and white supremacy. -First we’ll look at housing policy, with its contrasting supports for homeowners and renters. -Then we’ll interpret the structure that provides education and examine debates about its future. -The third module will differentiate the issues in the U.S. healthcare system and develop...

2. Critical Issues in Urban Education

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Urban school reform in the United States is characterized by contentious, politicized debate. This course explores a set of critical issues in the education and educational reform space, with a focus on aspects of the field that have sparked controversy and polarized views. We will dig into these debates, situating them within the larger history of public education and school reform, and considering the viewpoints, the evidence, and translation of issues into educational policy. We will...

3. Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)

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4.4
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Informational content for educators and parents to learn about teaching and understanding exceptional children...

4. Crisis Intervention Seminar

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4.4
(634)

The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...

5. Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education

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This course provides those involved in educating members of the health professions an asynchronous, interdisciplinary, and interactive way to obtain, expand, and improve their teaching skills. These skills can then be applied within their own professional context, with a variety of learners, extending across many stages. After completing this course, learners will: 1. Understand educational theory as it relates to health professions education 2. Match instructional methods with desired...

6. School Health for Children and Adolescents

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Children and adolescents spend so much of their time in school regardless of where they live in the world. Health and learning are closely connected in the school setting, where good health and healthy practices create the optimal conditions for students’ academic success. And the contrary is also true: poor heath and unhealthy practices build tall barriers to student learning.\n\nThe courses of this specialization are designed to equip learners to manage common health conditions including...

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How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...

8. Managing mental health issues in the workplace

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Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...

9. Educating Deaf Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher

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Many Deaf children around the world still leave school functionally illiterate. In some cases, there is no allowance made for the education of Deaf children at all. This 4-week course provides you with invaluable knowledge and skills about teaching Deaf children. You will learn about the importance of Deaf culture and community, the need for a language-rich environment for the Deaf child from as young as possible, and that having access to sign language can help Deaf children academically,...

10. Music Education for Teachers

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In the Music Education for Teachers specialization, you will explore ways of integrating popular music into your teaching. You'll begin by learning from two highly experienced teachers, Krystal Banfield, the Vice President of Educational Outreach for Berklee College of Music, and David Alexis a Berklee Professor and long-time instructor for the Berklee City Music Program. They will take you through their process of incorporating popular music, improvisation, arranging, and music technology into...

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The Comprehensive Overview - An Accredited & Certificated Course...

12. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course

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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...

13. Aboriginal Worldviews and Education

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Intended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners, this course will explore indigenous ways of knowing and how they can benefit all students. Topics include historical, social, and political issues in Aboriginal education; terminology; cultural, spiritual and philosophical themes in Aboriginal worldviews; and how Aboriginal worldviews can inform professional programs and practices, including but not limited to the field of education...

14. Fully Accredited Professional Child Psychology Diploma

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Learn or Specialise Your Therapy in Child Psychology with this Fully Accredited Diploma Course...

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Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...

16. Google Certified Educator Level 1 Technical Training

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Google Apps for Education...

17. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Associate Life Coach

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CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Life Coaching Associate Coach Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching...

18. Seth Godin on learning and education

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Build the future of community, culture and possibility...

19. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

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Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...

20. CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches

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Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...

Top 10 most affordable universities for educational psychologists

The most affordable schools for educational psychologists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for educational psychologists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for educational psychologists.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

5. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

7. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

8. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for educational psychologists

The hardest universities for educational psychologists to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Some great schools for educational psychologists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for educational psychologists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

9. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for educational psychologists

The easiest schools for educational psychologists to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and wayland baptist university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an educational psychologist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for educational psychologists.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

4. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

9. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

10. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

Average educational psychologist salary by education level

According to our data, educational psychologists with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $87,630 annually. Educational psychologists with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $82,463.
Educational psychologist education levelEducational psychologist salary
Master's Degree$82,463
Doctorate Degree$87,630

Educational psychologist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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