Educational Psychologist
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY focuses on the study of learning outcomes, student
attributes, and instructional processes directly related to the classroom and the school,
such as amount of instructional time or individual differences in school learning. An
educational psychologist helps gather information for teachers and parents when students
have academic or behavioral problems. They assist by evaluating students' thinking
abilities and assessing individual strengths and weaknesses. Together, the parents,
teachers, and educational psychologist formulate plans to help students learn more
effectively. Educational psychologists work mostly in elementary and secondary school
classrooms. They also may work in other settings such as colleges, consulting
organizations, corporations, industry, the military and religious institutions.
Other career tracks within educational psychology include being a school psychologist or
a school counselor. A school psychologist works with students, teachers, parents, and
administrators to resolve students' learning and behavior problems. They evaluate the
effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management procedures, and other
services provided in school setting. School counselors help people to accommodate to
change or to make changes in their lifestyle. They use techniques such as interviewing
and testing to advice people how to deal with problems of everyday living. They work in
places like university counseling centers, hospitals, high schools, and individual or group
practices.
Expectation of the Profession
Increasingly technology offers an alternative or addition to tradition materials in
teaching and learning. For example, the Cognition and Technology Group of Vanderbilt
University has developed a problem-based learning environment called anchored
instruction. The anchor is the rich, authentic and interesting situation presented via
videodisk or computer that provides a focus – a reason for setting goals, planning, and
using mathematical tools to solve problems. Anchored instruction is an example of
cognitive apprenticeships described above.
It is likely that educational psychologists will continue to contribute to education as
they learn more about the brain and how learning occurs; the development of intellect,
affect, personality, character, and motivation; ways of assessing; and the creation of
multifaceted learning environments. It also is likely that some issues will spiral through
these contributions. What is a useful and appropriate balance of discovery and direct
instruction? How can teachers, who must work with groups, adapt instruction to
individual variations? What should be the role of testing and grading in education?
What are the goals of education and how do instructors balance cognitive, affective, and
psychomotor objectives? How can learning be used to best advantage for students? How
can learning technologies be used to best advantage for students? These questions may
not be as new as they seem upon attendance to the history of psychology and its
applications to education.
A Typical Day Practicing Educational Psychology
An educational psychologist's day can surely never get boring or repetitive.
Working in a school setting, the days usually begin around 7:30 a.m. The work day
consists of meetings with faculty, students, administrators, and parents. One minute they
could be talking to a student, giving them advice about problems they may be having
with classes. Then they could be discussing curriculum changes with faculty and
administrators in order to tailor the curriculum to students' needs. Their day typically
should end at the end of the school day, but if they were interrupted frequently
throughout the day, they may have to stay to do paperwork or go to more meetings. Some
educational psychologists may operate private practices in the evenings.
The Pros and Cons of a career in Educational Psychology
There are both potentially rewarding and frustrating aspects to work in Educational
Psychology that need to be carefully considered before pursuing a career in this field:
Some Potential Attractions
 Usually daytime Hours – If you like to have your evenings free for personal time
or family, usually working in a school would require daytime hours
 Make Own Hours – If you have your own practice or work independently, you
can have flexibility with what hours you choose to work.
 Summers Off – Working in a school setting usually allows for summers off…
 Helping Others – It is rewarding to see how you may help someone change and
make his/here life better.
 Team Environment – Working together with teachers, parents, and students in
order to make plans that can be beneficial to all parties concerned.
Some Potential Drawbacks
 High Stress Levels – It can be frustrating to help others who may not want to be
helped. Many educational psychologists encounter substantial conflict with
teachers, parents, or administrators.
 Tight Schedules – One may have to deal with a large number of tasks and
meetings that need to be attended to in any one day.
 Intense Schooling – In order to make decent money, you may need a doctorate
degree, but you can still be a school psychologist at the master’s level.
 Evening Hours – Having your own practice, you may have to have evening hours
to accommodate patients or if you have a practice other than a day job.
 Daily Routines Interruptions – Emergencies may come up throughout a day that
an educational psychologist needs to attend to immediately.
Careers in Educational Psychology
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK:
Employment for psychologists in the United States is expected to grow faster than
most occupations through the year 2014, with anticipated growth of 18-26%. One in four
psychologists is employed in educational settings. In the United States, the median salary
for psychologists in primary and secondary schools is $58,360 as of May 2004.[45]
In recent decades the participation of women as professional researchers in North
American educational psychology has risen dramatically.[46] The percentage of female
authors of peer-reviewed journal articles doubled from 1976 (24%) to 1995 (51%), and
has since remained constant. Female membership on educational psychology journal
editorial boards increased from 17% in 1976 to 47% in 2004. Over the same period, the
proportion of chief editor positions held by women increased from 22% to 70%.
OPTIONS AND PAY RANGES WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE:
Bachelor's degree holders can expect very few opportunities directly related to
psychology, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (Bureau of Labor
Statistics). You may find jobs as assistants in rehabilitation centers or in other jobs
involving data collection and analysis. Those who meet state certification requirements
may become high school psychology teachers. In an entry-level position with the federal
government, starting salaries as a psychologist with a bachelor's degree was about
$19,500 a year (1999 data); with superior academic records you could start ar around
$24,200 a year.
OPTIONS AND PAY RANGES WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE:
People with master's degrees can administer tests as psychological assistants.
Under the supervision of a doctoral level psychologist, they can administer psychological
evaluations, counsel patients, or perform administrative duties. They may also teach in
high schools or two year colleges or work as a school psychologist or counselor. School
psychologist’s usually needing a one year internship after receiving their master's degree.
Vocational and guidance counselors usually need two years of graduate work in
counseling and one year counseling experience. The median salary of a school
psychologist is $60,000 a year (1999 data). In counseling psychology the median is
$38,000 a year.
Sources:
Educational Psychology: Definition from Answers.com
www.answers.com/topic/educational-psycholgy
Careers in Educational Psychology
www.wcupa.edu/_ACADEMICS/sch_cas.psy/Career_Paths/Educational/Career04.htm