Best Online Master’s in Educational Psychology Programs

Check out the best master’s in educational psychology programs, which fields you can specialize in, and the job outlook for educational psychologists.

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Updated October 16, 2024

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Think back to your early days of school. Do you remember a time when your teacher gave you a treat as a reward for good behavior? Maybe it was a gold star or a ticket to the toy box.

That wasn’t random. It’s an example of a behaviorist approach to teaching. But it wasn’t a teacher who first thought of it — it was a psychologist named John B. Watson.

We use educational psychology to improve the learning process. And that’s what you’ll get to do with an online master’s in educational psychology degree.

Featured Online Programs in Educational Psychology

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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In this Article

Best Online Master’s in Educational Psychology

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO4 yearCampus + Online

$10,867

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,620

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

88%

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,596

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,854

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

11,460

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,867

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,620

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,867

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,620

Acceptance Rate

88%

Online Enrollment

83%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,596

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,854

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

11,460

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME4 yearCampus + Online

$7,776

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,348

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

88%

Acceptance Rate

88%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,064

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,532

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

8,022

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,776

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,348

University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,776

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,348

Acceptance Rate

88%

Online Enrollment

88%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,064

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,532

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

8,022

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

The College of Saint Rose

Albany, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$14,382

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,382

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

82%

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,152

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,152

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

3,863

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,382

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,382

The College of Saint Rose

Albany, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,382

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,382

Acceptance Rate

82%

Online Enrollment

72%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,152

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,152

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

3,863

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$9,684

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$24,116

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

32%

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,640

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,084

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

43,569

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,684

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,116

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,684

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,116

Acceptance Rate

32%

Online Enrollment

97%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,640

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,084

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

43,569

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

National University

San Diego, CA4 yearOnline

$16,983

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,983

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,064

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,064

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

12,471

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,983

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,983

National University

San Diego, CA4 yearOnline

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,983

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,983

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,064

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,064

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

12,471

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$6,775

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,048

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

63%

Acceptance Rate

33%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,395

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,849

Retention Rate

94%

Students Enrolled

70,418

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,775

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,048

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,775

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,048

Acceptance Rate

63%

Online Enrollment

33%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,395

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,849

Retention Rate

94%

Students Enrolled

70,418

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$14,868

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$26,442

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

75%

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,500

Retention Rate

72%

Students Enrolled

16,294

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,868

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,442

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,868

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,442

Acceptance Rate

75%

Online Enrollment

97%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,500

Retention Rate

72%

Students Enrolled

16,294

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of Georgia

Athens, GA4 yearCampus + Online

$8,878

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,186

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

48%

Acceptance Rate

16%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,830

Retention Rate

94%

Students Enrolled

39,147

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,878

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,186

University of Georgia

Athens, GA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,878

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,186

Acceptance Rate

48%

Online Enrollment

16%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,830

Retention Rate

94%

Students Enrolled

39,147

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Ball State University

Muncie, IN4 yearCampus + Online

$9,328

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,542

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

87%

Acceptance Rate

90%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,482

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,470

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

21,597

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,328

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,542

Ball State University

Muncie, IN4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,328

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,542

Acceptance Rate

87%

Online Enrollment

90%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,482

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,470

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

21,597

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV4 yearCampus + Online

$5,675

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,328

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

81%

Acceptance Rate

93%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,747

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,398

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

31,142

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,675

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,328

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,675

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,328

Acceptance Rate

81%

Online Enrollment

93%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,747

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,398

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

31,142

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Is a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology Worth It?

Yes, for a few reasons. Psychology is a field that’s in demand and pays well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the psychology field to grow by 6% from 2021-2031. These professionals had a median annual salary of $81,040 as of May 2021.

Return on investment also factors in. A master’s in educational psychology is slightly cheaper than all other master’s degrees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). And the highest-paying jobs in the field earn more than $133,000, BLS data shows.

“In my experience, getting a degree in educational psychology has been well worth it. Since graduating, I have been able to secure a job as a school counselor, and I have been able to use my knowledge and skills to help students overcome challenges and reach their full potential.”

— Nikki Davis-Fainbloom, BA in Education Psychology, Ryerson University

Thinking about getting your master’s? Here are a few more reasons why you should:

Specialize in what interests you: Educational psychologists often work in schools to help improve the learning experience, but you can explore other specialties, including quantitative research, educational technology, and counseling.
It has diverse working environments: Educational psychologists have options. Schools may be the most common setting, but others include private practices, research institutions, and social service organizations.
You can make a difference: Yes, it’s cliché to say. But it’s true. Educational psychologists often come up with new programs for students who are struggling or advanced methods for gifted learners.

Still on the fence? Consider why it may not be right for you:

Extensive education: Some careers require a Ph.D. — which can take up to seven years — in addition to extensive clinical work and training to qualify for a state license.
Time and cost: It takes a long time to become a psychologist, and the cost of degrees, training and licenses can add up. Depending on your expectations or goals, it may not be worth it in the long run.
Unusual work schedule: Some educational psychologists follow a fairly set schedule. But others, especially those working in private practice, often work evenings and weekends to accommodate clients.

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

A master’s in educational psychology prepares you for careers in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, counseling practices, community organizations, and government agencies.

Plus, you can specialize in a certain field of expertise, opening your career potential even more. Common specializations include instructional design, special education, and curriculum development.

5 Popular Educational Psychology Jobs
Jobs	Average Salary
Education Program Director	$69,469
Clinical Psychologist (requires a doctorate)	$91,068
Educational Psychologist	$69,042
School Psychologist	$68,975
Clinical Supervisor	$65,889

Source: Payscale (April 2024)

How Much Does an Online Master’s in Educational Psychology Cost?

The big question: how much does the degree cost?

While it can cost over $10,000 a year, there are ways to make it more affordable. Psychology scholarships and grants can help cover the costs and increase your return on investment. That means you’ll get the same quality of education for less — phew.

Average Master’s Degree Costs:

Psychology

$11,748

All Degrees

$12,174

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Educational Psychology: Beyond the Master’s Degree

After getting your master’s degree, you must take a few extra steps. Many educational psychology careers may require the following:

Certification: You may need a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential to qualify to enter the field. The NCSP proves that you meet national standards.
Internship experience: You need at least 1,200 hours of internship experience to be eligible for licensure, of which 600 hours must be in a school setting. Some finish their internships during or after their master’s degree program. Others do it during their doctorate degree program.
Doctorate degree: A doctorate is optional to enter the field. But having a doctorate in psychology can help you earn higher salaries and land leadership positions. If you wish to become an educational psychologist, you must earn a doctorate. It takes three to seven years to finish, depending on whether you’re a full-time or part-time student.