Master's Degree (M.Ed.) in Educational Psychology
The Master's Degree in the Educational Psychology program allows students to specialize in the application of psychology in an educational setting by examining theoretical and applied aspects of learning and cognition, human development, motivation, personality, and other psychological principles. The degree does not lead to a teaching certificate.
Contact Information
Patricia Willems
Associate Professor
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Office Location: ES BC52 - 207
Campus: Davie
The M.Ed. Educational Psychology offers students the opportunity to specialize in the application of psychology in educational settings by examining theoretical and applied aspects of learning and cognition, human development, motivation, human personality, and other psychological principles. It is a versatile degree of use to various educational professionals including teachers, administrators, instructors in higher education, or educational researchers.
Fully Online Degree
The Master’s in Educational Psychology is a fully online graduate degree, providing exceptional flexibility for FAU students. http://fauelearning.com/fauonline/portfolio-items/master-of-education-educational-psychology-m-ed-online/
Possible Career Paths with an Educational Psychology Degree
This degree is known for its versatility as those with credentials in educational psychology are employed in diverse contexts.
- University Professor: (Requires a doctoral degree) While FAU does not have a doctoral degree in Educational Psychology at the current time, those who graduate with this masters could choose to go on to a doctoral degree program at another university, or at FAU in a closely related field, if wishing to work in a tenure-earning faculty line at a university.
- Other University and College Settings: As lecturers or adjunct faculty, consultants or research scientists, or administration (academic coordinators, academic support or student affairs/advising). This includes state or community colleges (instructors, lecturers, or adjunct faculty). Often schools require a master’s degree or a sufficient number of graduate credit hours as qualification for employment.
- Teaching: (Requires certification separate from this degree). For current educators wanting to develop research-based teaching practices. Effective teachers have extensive knowledge in students’ development, learning and cognition, and motivation (National Academy of Education, 2005) which informs developmentally appropriate practices (NAEYC, 2009). This includes understanding that learning and development may vary individually, having diverse approaches to support individual and collaborative learning, and being equipped with strategies to encourage students’ active engagement and self-motivation (InTASC Standards, 2013).
- School Districts and Research Agencies: For those interested in consulting, research, or evaluation.
- Educational Curriculum Industry: For those interested in working with curriculum or learning resources development or textbook publishing.
Helpful Resources
- American Psychological Association
- Job Websites for Educational Psychologists: the American Psychological Association or the Chronicle of Higher Education
School Psychology
A degree in Educational Psychology is distinctly different from that of School Psychology. Educational psychologists concentrate on how effective teaching and learning takes place, considering a variety of factors, such as human development, student motivation, classroom management, classroom assessment, and learning theory. Whereas school psychologists work directly with public and private schools assessing and counseling students, consulting with parents and school staff, and conducting behavioral interventions when appropriate. FAU does not have a School Psychology Program, for more information on school psychology please visit: https://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers