If you are an inquisitive type and want to dwell more into the fascinating world of human development, you should consider getting a master’s degree in educational psychology. This field of study pertains to learning and applies the tools to help understand how classroom structure and lesson planning motivates students to learn. This also helps in improving instructional methods. When you are an educational psychologist, you also work as a consultant for the school system.
Educational psychologists work with parents, students, administrators and teachers to make sure that the students get the best out of their education. As a working educational psychologist, you would be looking at an assessment of aptitude, motivation, self-regulation among students. To become an educational psychologist, there are licensing requirements, a 1-year internship and a master’s degree.
The role of an educational psychologist is important because of the rising need for mental health services in schools. The skills and competencies required for pursuing a career in educational psychology are mathematics, information technology, data analysis and evaluation, interpersonal skills and research. An educational psychologist also uses several methods of data collection, research evaluation and psychometric testing and advises the administration and the staff on the best learning practices.
Top Online Master’s in Educational Psychology Programs
While choosing the college or university for your education you have to keep certain things in mind such as student satisfaction, institutional excellence, the return of investment and graduation rates.
Let us take a look at some of the institutions where one can pursue online master’s in educational psychology. These are in no particular order.
Florida State University
Founded in 1851 in Tallahassee, Florida, this university is one of the oldest institutes in the region and has over 300 courses on offer. This is an accredited to grant all types of degress (including master’s and doctoral degrees) by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The FSU’s Educational Psychology: Learning and Cognition is designed for professionals and students who wish to learn development theories and application of cognition. This program is said to provide an excellent grounding in research and the faculty is known nationally and internationally in their respective fields. The institute offers degrees (campus and online) and this particular course is a 33-36 credits program.
The subjects covered in the curriculum include alternate views of learning and teaching, theories of social psychology, perception and cognition.
What Is Required
Along with a 3.0 minimum GPA (Grade Point Average), the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from a university that has been regionally accredited. The applicant must also submit 3 letters of recommendation along with the scores of GMAT, MAT or GRE scores and a letter that states why the applicant is applying for the course, and official transcripts. It should also detail the applicant’s long-term goals. A writing sample and a curriculum vitae can also be submitted with these documents.
Some documents can be uploaded to this portal.
Program Highlights
- Program Length: 2 years
- Fees: $1,076 per credit if out-of-state, $444 per credit if in-state
- Delivery: In an online format
- Social Channels: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest and Wikipedia
- Telephone: (850) 644-6885
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia was chartered in 1779 and is often referred to as the “birthplace of higher education in America”. The College of Education offers online Master of Education in Educational Psychology for the University of Georgia. The course covers subjects such as developmental processes in practice and education, educational psychology and the impact of human cognitive, motivational and developmental processes.
More specialization is offered in terms of qualitative approaches to education, learning across the lifespan or learning with technology. Following the course, graduates can find positions in the military, training, non-clinical education or research support.
What Is Required
The minimum required GPA is 2.6, and the candidate must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Also required are 3 letters of recommendation from people who know you as a scholar or professionally. Statements of purposes that can be met reasonably by the program and MAT and GRE scores.
Program Highlights
- Program Length: 2 years
- Fees: $629 per credit hour (total 34 credit hours)
- Delivery: In an online format
- Social Channels: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram
- Telephone: (706) 452-7939
Ball State University
Founded in 1918, the Ball State University is situated in Muncie, Indiana. The program offered by this university is a research-based curriculum and is aimed at education professionals who work in human development. The program will prepare its participants to pursue careers as researchers or professional evaluators, development specialists or educators.
The college has a faculty that is nationally recognized, and the students have the freedom to complete their courses in their own time. The course offers specializations in applied behavior analysis, specializations in human development, neuropsychology, gifted and talented and also allows you to customize it.
What Is Required
The minimum required GPA is 2.75, and the candidate must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Also required are 2 letters of recommendation from people who know you professionally. A resume detailing your total work experience and relevant information is also required.
Program Highlights
- Program Length: 18 months
- Fees: $1,129 per credit if out-of-state, $410 per credit if in-state
- Delivery: In an online format
- Social Channels: Twitter, Facebook
- Telephone: (850) 644-6885
University of Illinois
Originally founded in 1967, the university is located in the cities of Champaign and Urbana. The university offers this course with a specialization in evidence-based decision making. The students can login from anywhere to do this course, but they have to be online at specific times in order to do so.
The course offers a variety of subjects including diversity and equity in education, learning design and leadership, teacher leader specialization, global studies in education and so on.
What Is Required
The minimum required GPA is 3.0, and the candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. There is no need for standardized test scores, but the candidate must furnish 3 letters of recommendation.
Program Highlights
- Program Length: 2 years
- Fees: $600 per credit if in-state
- Delivery: In an online format
- Social Channels: Twitter, Facebook
Conclusion
If you are keen on pursuing a career in educational psychology, a master’s degree is most common educational route. The major benefit of an online course is that the students can take them from anywhere without changing residency. This way, they can fulfill their work and family obligations while taking the course at the same time.