What Is Educational Psychology?

Learning is a highly individualized process. What proves effective for one person might not work for another. Most of us have experienced this at one point — struggling with concepts presented through one medium but understanding them when taught in a different way. To improve the process of education, psychology professionals are working to understand exactly how people learn and retain information.

“Educational psychology is the field that explores our psychological processes, theories, and principles that influence learning and development within an educational environment,” says Kristina Noriega, EdD, MSIDT, MSCP, psychology faculty member at Purdue Global. “It examines how students of all ages — from early childhood to adulthood — acquire knowledge, develop skills, and adapt to different learning environments.”

In this article, Noriega shares insights and potential career paths within this rewarding and challenging field.

Understanding Educational Psychology

Learning is a unique journey for every individual. Educational psychology delves into the cognitive, behavioral, and developmental aspects of this journey. The goal, according to the American Psychological Association, is to better understand how students learn and develop in an educational setting.

Those who study educational psychology learn topics such as student motivation, student assessment, instructional techniques, and classroom management.

“Once they become working educational psychology professionals, they can then apply all of this knowledge into real-world scenarios and situations in support of the field of learning,” Noriega says.

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Educational Psychology?

A master’s degree in educational psychology can open doors to a range of roles within the educational sector. Potential career paths include:

1. Educational Researcher

An educational researcher focuses on the intricacies of the learning process to understand and improve educational practices and outcomes. They employ various methodologies, from qualitative interviews to quantitative data analysis, to study topics such as teaching methods, learning styles, curriculum effectiveness, and educational policies.

“As an educational researcher, you can study educational interventions, learning processes, or even policy,” Noriega explains. “This research often informs educators, policymakers, and institutions, providing evidence-based recommendations to enhance the quality of education and promote effective learning environments.”

Educational researchers work in many settings, from academia and government agencies to private and nonprofit research organizations. You can even apply educational psychology to understand behavior, preferences, and pain points as you design and develop products and learning material.

“I’ve been a user experience researcher,” she says. “This role helps ensure that services and products are designed with the needs and preferences of the users or learners in mind.”

2. Educational Program Director

An educational program director leads and enhances the quality of education within schools. Their responsibilities encompass a broad range of tasks including curriculum planning, textbook selection, and teacher training.

“Additionally, they are involved in devising and implementing programs for extracurricular activities, ensuring a holistic educational experience for students,” Noriega says. Educational program directors work in school districts, higher education institutions, government educational departments, private educational consultancies, and nonprofit organizations focused on education.

3. Education Administrator, Kindergarten Through Secondary

An education administrator, kindergarten through secondary, ensures that schools operate efficiently and provide high-quality educational experiences to students. According to O*NET OnLine, they are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the academic, administrative, and auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.

Education administrators play an important role in the educational landscape. These roles typically work within public and private school systems, charter schools, school district offices, and sometimes at state or federal educational departments. Licensing and certification requirements may apply.

4. Instructional Coordinator

An instructional coordinator, often referred to as a curriculum specialist, plays a crucial role in shaping the educational content delivered to students. According to O*NET OnLine, these professionals oversee school curriculum and teaching standards, taking charge of developing and implementing instructional materials, and subsequently assessing their effectiveness.

They typically find employment in public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and school district offices. They might also work within educational consultancies and state or federal educational agencies. Their expertise ensures that educational content aligns with set standards and effectively meets the learning needs of students.

Earn a Master of Science in Educational Psychology With Purdue Global

The field of educational psychology plays a key part in shaping the educational process. For individuals considering advanced roles in educational administration, program evaluation, or operations research, a master's degree in this discipline can offer a solid foundation for your career.

Employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree because it provides a deeper understanding of psychology principles and research methods. “Earning a master’s degree can give candidates extra leverage in the job market,” Noriega says.

Learn more about Purdue Global's online master's in educational psychology and request more information today.