How to Become an Educational Psychologist
Explore career paths in educational psychology. Learn about licensure requirements to become an educational psychologist.
Educational psychologists study systems of human learning and how they function in institutional settings. They differ from school psychologists, who more often work directly with K-12 students experiencing social, emotional, and academic challenges.
This guide explains how to become a licensed educational psychologist. It explores requirements and provides a step-by-step plan for advancing your career in educational psychology.
Steps to Become an Educational Psychologist
To succeed in educational psychology, you’ll need a blend of clinical and interpersonal skills. A typical path to becoming an educational psychologist includes these steps:
- Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
For most people, the journey begins with a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degrees typically cover about 120 credits or the equivalent, and take around four academic years if you’re a first-time undergraduate student.
You can earn a degree in general psychology or complete a specialized educational psychology undergraduate program. You could also major in education or another social science field.
- Step 2: Earn a Master’s Degree
Students often apply to master’s programs after completing their undergraduate education. These typically take 1-3 years, depending on credit requirements.
While you can earn a master’s degree in general psychology, you can also specialize at the graduate level. Many schools offer master’s programs in educational psychology, some of which feature concentrations in:
- Applied behavior analysis
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Education policy
- Research and evaluation methods
If you have specific learning or research interests, consider pursuing a relevant concentration.
- Step 3: Earn a Doctoral Degree
Doctoral programs in educational psychology lead to a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) or doctor of psychology (Psy.D.). Ph.D. programs tend to focus more on research, while Psy.D. programs prepare students more directly for applied careers.
You can also get a doctor of education (Ed.D.) degree in educational psychology. However, an Ed.D. may not satisfy your state’s requirements for psychology licensure.
Doctoral programs vary in length, but they typically require at least four years of full-time study.
- Step 4: Satisfy Internship and Supervised Clinical Requirements
To get your educational psychology license, you will also need to complete an extensive internship and supervised clinical training experience. Requirements vary by state, but candidates typically complete about 2,000 hours as doctoral students and another 2,000 hours of postdoctoral training.
To meet state licensure guidelines, you will need between 1,500 and 6,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.
- Step 5: Pursue State Licensure
After meeting your state’s education and experience requirements, you must pass one or more examinations to qualify for your initial license. All states currently use the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
In addition to a core psychology exam, you may also need to take a jurisprudence or professional ethics test. Some state psychology boards also require additional written or oral examinations.
Compare psychology license requirements by state to learn more.
How Long Will it Take to Become an Educational Psychologist?
It typically takes 6-12 years to become an educational psychologist, but many factors can impact your timeline. For example, your journey will take longer if you study part time, or if you seek licensure in a state with more complex clinical experience requirements.
Generally, your timeline will likely align with the amount of time it takes to become a clinical or counseling psychologist, as documented in the table below:
| Job | Time to Become |
|---|---|
| School Psychologist | 6-7 years |
| Clinical Psychologist | 8-12 years |
| Child Psychologist | 8-12 years |
| Counseling Psychologist | 8-12 years |
How Much Does an Educational Psychologist Make?
Educational psychologists earn an average annual salary of $70,500, but many factors, including professional credentials, experience, and location, can impact your financial potential.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologists earned the highest average salaries in California, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, and Massachusetts in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Educational Psychologist
Educational psychologists study learning processes, focusing on how people acquire, process, retain, and apply knowledge. They also examine pedagogical methods, factors that influence academic outcomes, and the impacts of specific learning environments on people with various psychological profiles.
