6 Best Online Ph.D. Programs in Educational Psychology

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there will be a 14% increase in demand for all types of psychologists in the next several years, including educational, school, counseling and clinical psychologists. This demand is faster than average when compared to other fields. If you have an interest in educational psychology, you may want to think about earning your doctoral degree in this field. (BLS.gov).

Note that different universities offer different types of doctoral programs. Some offer a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, while others have a Ed.D. in Educational Psychology. Which is the best option for you depends upon your precise career goals.

#1 Capella University

Capella University offers an online Ph.D. in Educational Psychology that is appropriate for students who want to obtain an educational leadership position in researching, teaching, developing or evaluating education in psychology programs. This four year, online program provides you with the chance to boost your knowledge of psychology learning theories, ethics and systems, as well as taking courses  that focus on specific educational psychology topics:

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  • Teaching methods
  • Program evaluation techniques
  • Child development

Specialization classes cover:

  • Psychological and social factors that affect teaching and learning
  • Cognitive development
  • Psychology in workplace and academic learning environments
  • Instructional design methods
  • Principles in adolescent and child psychology

Students receive strong mentor and peer support in the development and research of their dissertation. Concentration areas are program evaluation and measurement; psychology teaching and instruction; and child and adolescent development.

  • Institution type: Private, for-profit
  • Delivery method: Online
  • Headquarters: Minneapolis
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
  • Degrees offered: D. in Educational Psychology
  • Expected total tuition: $56,160
  • Prerequisites: Master’s Degree in Psychology.

#2 Walden University

Walden University offers an online Ph.D. in Educational Psychology that explores best practices and theories in your area of interest in psychology; specializations in this doctoral, online program are: educational psychology, health psychology, social psychology, research in psychology, reaching in psychology or self-designed.

Graduates of this program will be skilled in the use of technology to boost learning outcomes of individuals and to support their organization’s productivity and sustainability. They also will have an excellent understanding of how both organizations and people learn, and become valuable assets in such fields as business, industry, education, government and nonprofit organizations.

Required courses for the doctoral degree are:

  • Themes and Theories of Psychology
  • Lifespan Development
  • Culture and Psychology
  • Research Theory, Methods
  • Teaching of Psychology
  • Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
  • Educational Psychology
  • Research Foundations
  • Theories of Learning and Motivation
  • Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

To be considered for admission to this Ph.D. program at Walden University, these are the required elements: Official transcripts, Resume, Employment history, Writing samples, Three recommendation letters

  • Institution type: Private, for-profit
  • Delivery method: Online
  • Headquarters: Minneapolis
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
  • Degrees offered: Ph.D. in Educational Psychology
  • Expected total tuition: $38,025
  • Prerequisites: Master’s Degree in Psychology
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#3 Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers an Online Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. This is a four-year program that allows students to focus their Ph.D. program of study on their specific interests. It also encourages an interdisciplinary way of performing doctoral work. Students can choose a practitioner-oriented track, such as school psychology or developmental and learning sciences, or come up with their own degree plan.

In the school psychology track, students will:

  • Produce research that benefits, children, families, teachers, and schools
  • Provide research that is viewed as credible by clinicians
  • Be mentored in the school psychology field to engage in providing psychological services in educational settings

Required courses are:

  • Human Development in Education
  • Educational Psychology and Learning
  • Assessment and Interventions in Schools
  • Cognition and Instruction
  • Exceptional Children and Youth
  • Practicum in School Psychology
  • Advanced Evidence-Based Interventions

Admission requirements are:

  • Online application
  • Post-secondary transcripts
  • GRE scores
  • Three letters of reference
  • Updated resume

#4 University of Georgia

The University of Georgia offers an online Ph.D. in Educational Psychology that is a good fit for students who want to be academics or researchers.

This online doctoral program offers several concentrations, including quantitative methodology and applied cognition and development.

Coursework is related to research and statistics. Students will select a minor concentration area such as statistics and measurement, pediatric psychology, children with chronic diseases, or early childhood education.

The four-year doctoral program has the following highlights:

  • Education focuses on research
  • Most graduates work in higher education
  • Alumni make more contributions to journals than any other school psychology program
  • Students have several opportunities to present their research and publish
  • The doctoral curriculum prepares students to be highly competent in their concentration area with diverse populations

To be considered for admission, these materials are required:

  • Bachelor’s and master’s degree transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Updated resume
  • Statement of purpose

#5 Washington State University

Washington State University offers an Online Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. This is an excellent program for doctoral students interested in a career as in:

  • College teaching in general educational psychology or educational measurement, evaluation and research design
  • Public school service as a testing program director or coordinator of curriculum and program evaluation
  • Industry job in research and testing companies
  • Administration in research units

This is a hybrid program that builds your skillset to work as a researcher, administrator or educator in many roles. You are required to complete an internship in the state.

Sample classes include:

  • Classical and Modern Test Theory
  • Educational Measurement
  • Meta-Analysis and Research Synthesis

Admission requirements include:

  • Bachelor’s and master’s degree transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume or CV
  • Writing samples

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