Educational psychology is a branch of psychology that deals with school age children, typically in an elementary or secondary school environment. The psychologist usually has a master's degree in psychology, but may have an education specialist's degree (EdS) or doctoral degree. There may be additional requirements, like government certifications, based on location.
It is not necessary to have a bachelor's degree in psychology to pursue a master's degree in educational psychology. Bachelor's degrees in many fields are accepted by graduate schools of psychology. In many cases, you will need to take a standardized test like the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller's Analogy Test (MAT).
You will also need to submit your transcripts with an application to the graduate school of your choice. Graduate schools are highly competitive and typically require a lot of documentation with applications. Double check the requirements of your school, especially those concerning testing scores. If possible, make sure that you only give references from individuals who have a close working relationship with you, as they will be best able to represent you.
Once you are accepted into a graduate school and complete the program, you will probably be required to take a national board exam or even complete the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) program. This is commonly used throughout the United States, but other countries have similar programs.
During the NCSP program, you will be required to complete a supervised internship, usually in a school. It will be 1,200 or more hours long, require you to perform all the duties of a school psychologist, and submit you to rigorous observation and evaluation. This internship is usually unpaid.
Once you have completed your education and internship, you can apply for positions in the field of educational psychology. You can find jobs through professional organizations, online career searches, or local newspapers. It also helps to talk to your instructors, colleagues, and internship supervisors to find out if any jobs are opening up in your area.
Most positions require an extensive application, which may take one to two hours to complete. It may be online or in paper and pencil format and will require information about your references, education, and past employment. Applications are typically accompanied by a resume, cover letter, documentation of licensure and certification, and letters of recommendation.
After applying to many jobs, you may be called for an interview. If so, practice answering common questions before you go. You can talk to your internship supervisor or instructors for tips on interviewing in education psychology situations. You may also find interview information online or at your local library.
It will probably take dozens of applications and several interviews before you are offered a position in educational psychology. Do not be discouraged unless you have submitted more than ten applications with no response whatsoever. In that case, double check your applications to see if you are leaving out required information. Many universities and employment agencies offer career help and resume writing assistance, so have your application evaluated if you continue to have trouble with your search.
