30 Best Online Master’s in Educational Psychology

The University of Georgia offers the best Master of Education in educational psychology, applied cognition & development in the nation. The program is affordable, dynamic, and surprisingly accessible. To gain admission to the University of Georgia, students need a 2.6 GPA or higher. That’s pretty low for such an excellent program. Students also need to submit three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, an updated resume, and a purpose statement.

Enrolled students begin the program with fundamental classes like Foundations of Human Development for Education and Master’s Seminar in Educational Psychology. By the end of the second year, students take more advanced courses like Nurturing Independent Learners and complete an applied project in educational psychology.

To earn a degree, students must complete 34 credits. Classes aren’t the only thing that contributes to the total credit count—students also engage in research and projects for credit. For a terrific jumpstart to your future in educational psychology, you can’t go wrong with the University of Georgia.

The University of Alabama has an excellent psychology department. The school’s psychology alumni have joined the ranks of prestigious universities and led government institutions across the country. The school’s online Master of Arts in educational psychology with an emphasis in learning and assessment is particularly notable for its affordability, high-quality education, and ease of access.

Students take courses that are informed equally by the foundational works of Plato and the latest research by educational psychology experts. Some classes that students take are Statistical Methods in Education, Advanced Educational Psychology, Introduction to Education Research, and Development of Self-Regulation. This program exclusively offers a non-thesis track: students complete a final project rather than a thesis or a comprehensive exam.

To gain admission to this program, students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, students must score 300 or higher on the GRE or reach the 50th percentile on the MAT. Students must also complete the online application, which asks for three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and a purpose statement.  

Ball State University’s online Master of Arts degree in educational psychology is the exact parallel of the on-campus degree. Students receive the exact courses taught by the same teachers as on-campus students, and they receive the same program and career support. Students in a hurry can finish this program in one year, but it usually takes students around 18 months. 

Students in this program can choose one of several specializations within the program, which include the neuropsychology, human development, applied behavior analysis, and gifted and talented specializations. Students take four classes in their specialty, which supplements the core courses of the program. Some of the core classes are Psychology of Human Development, Advanced Educational Psychology, and Statistical Methods in Educational and Psychological Research.

Are you interested? To gain admission, students must have a 2.75 or higher GPA from an undergraduate program. Moreover, their degree should be in a related field. Additionally, students need two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and an updated resume.

Do you dream of becoming a teacher, and are you from New York? If both statements are true, look no further than Marist College. The university’s online Master of Arts in educational psychology program prepares teachers for all settings between first grade and the end of high school.

Students enrolled in Marist College choose between two programs: childhood education, which is for grades one to six, and adolescent and middle school education, for sixth through twelfth grade. Throughout the two-year curriculum, students focus on the science of teaching, the conditions of the learner, foundations of the field, and research in educational psychology.

Prospective students should note two things. First, Marist College offers a hybrid format, which does require some on-campus attendance. If you’re looking for an exclusively online program, Marist College may not be for you. Next, if you’re still in high school, you should note Marist College’s combined bachelor’s and master’s in educational psychology program, which lasts five years.

The University of Illinois at Urbana has an excellent online Master of Education in educational psychology program. This program caters to people who wish to become teachers, professors, and administrators in an educational institution. Students in this program can choose a bilingual-bicultural education concentration, which focuses on delivering these theories to Spanish-speaking students.

Prospective students should note the competitive and selective nature of the University of Illinois at Urbana’s program. Usually, the admissions department will not consider admitting any student with a 3.5 or lower undergraduate GPA. Thus, this program is for high performers and students who can prove that their professional and extracurricular experience can compensate for their relatively low grades.

Students who get in, though, speak highly of their experience at the school. The educational psychology program employs leaders in the field, and the school offers some of the best scholarships and awards of any similar program. 

Teaching is a challenging balancing act. Educators must evenly distribute attention between the most driven and most apathetic students. They also have to stimulate the most intelligent students while providing enough support for those who don’t learn so fast. It’s difficult. To that end, the University of Northern Colorado’s Master of Arts in educational psychology with an emphasis in teaching applications focuses on the art and science of teaching.

Students in this program take excellent courses like Educational Psychology for Teachers, Cultural Issues in Educational Psychology, Motivation in Education, and Educational Assessment. Students in this program work toward a comprehensive exam, which asks them to write a research paper on a relevant topic.

To join this program, students must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution. They must also have a 3.0 or higher GPA, two letters of recommendation, and a strong purpose essay.

Florida State University’s Master of Science in educational psychology: learning and cognition program boasts some of the top educational psychology researchers in the country. If you choose to be a Florida State University student in this online program, you’ll work with these accomplished faculty members and classmates from diverse backgrounds. 

Students take core classes like Theories in Social Psychology, Group Processes in Instruction, Linguistic Research in Language Arts, and Lifespan Development. Students also design a customized specialization program, which could focus on elementary education, multicultural education, reading, or some combination of these subjects.

Florida State University asks its students to choose between a thesis and a non-thesis track. In the thesis track, students conduct a study and defend it in front of the faculty members. Students who wish to become researchers or doctoral candidates should choose this option. FSU’s non-thesis track instead requires students to take a comprehensive exam to complete the program.

The University of Memphis offers two adjacent programs: a Master of Science in educational psychology and a Master of Science in educational research. The educational psychology program is suitable for educators and education administrators of all types. In contrast, the educational research program caters to those who wish to become researchers in universities, hospitals, government agencies, and school districts.

Students in these programs take classes like Introduction to Educational Research, Learning & Cognition, Lifespan Human Development, Child Development in the Digital Age, and Adolescent Psychology in Applied Education. Prospective students should note that while the program offers a thesis and research track, only the research track is available for online students.

Applying students must submit an application to the program, which asks for official transcripts, GRE scores, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation. The university doesn’t specify a GPA requirement, but you should have a 3.0 or higher GPA to increase your chances of admission.

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas offers one of the best online Master of Science in educational psychology programs in the country. Graduates from this internationally acclaimed program have become program evaluators, teachers for students of all ages, educational assessment coordinators, research analysts, program designers, and more. 

The program offers a thesis and non-thesis track, both of which are available for online students. In the thesis track, students take core courses like Foundations of Learning and Cognition, Research Methods, and Psychometrics. These courses prepare students for a six-credit thesis, which asks students to write a professional paper built on meticulous research. 

In the non-thesis option, students take similar classes, but they end their studies with a capstone seminar instead of a written thesis. Because the seminar provides fewer credits than the thesis, students in the non-thesis track take one additional elective course. This option is best for educators and people who don’t want to work in research and academia. 

Are you a busy teacher or professional who can’t commit to a full-time program? If so, look no further. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville’s online Master of Science in educational psychology is a part-time program, with two online classes per semester. Students can graduate from this program in two years as long as they follow the original structure of the program.

Students attending the University of Tennessee-Knoxville’s online program take courses like Introduction to Educational Research, Survey of Educational Psychology, Adult Learning, and Facilitating Change in Educational Environments. Beyond these core classes, students choose a concentration in Adult Education or Applied Educational Psychology. 

Students in the Adult Education concentration take courses like Survey of Adult Education, Ethical Issues in Adult Education, and Adult Development. Students who choose the Applied Educational Psychology option enroll in classes like Formal Measurement in Education and Counseling, Theories of Learning in Applied Educational Psychology, and Psychological Theories of Human Development Applied to Education.

Purdue University offers one of the most flexible Master of Science in educational philosophy programs in the country. The program offers multiple start dates, so students can begin this program in June, July, September, and October of each year. After enrolling in this program, students must reach 52 credits to graduate. They obtain these credits by taking courses that last six or ten weeks. 

Students take classes like Neuropsychology, Perspectives on Diversity, Learning and Behavior, and Life Span Development. These courses help students gain a complete understanding of educational psychology. And through that knowledge, graduates will know how to design courses, accommodate every student in their class, and lead educational institutions. 

Students from this program have become education administrators, teachers, trainers, researchers, and more. Purdue University offers many opportunities for its students. Worth noting is an online certificate that students can obtain if they want to teach English or other subjects in an international setting. 

Every student needs attention. The case for students with disabilities is exceptionally strong, and people are finally noticing the need that we’ve ignored for so long. But the brightest students need attention, too. The University of North Texas offers an excellent Master of Science in educational psychology with an emphasis in gifted and talented. The program comprises eleven classes totaling 33 credit hours.

Students begin the program with two core classes, which are Introduction to Educational Psychology and Foundations of Educational Research Methodology. Then, students work more in the concentration, which includes courses like Social and Emotional Components of Giftedness, Methods and Curriculum for Teaching Gifted and Talented Students, and Educational Statistics.

To join this program, students must submit an online application, official transcripts, GRE scores, a personal statement, and a professional resume. The University of North Texas will waive the GRE requirement if your GPA in your most recent program was 3.25 or higher.

Capella University offers an online Master of Science in psychology with an emphasis in educational psychology. In this program, students choose one of two learning frameworks: GuidedPath and FlexPath. GuidedPath is more traditional, with weekly discussions, fixed deadlines, and a style that reflects on-campus learning. FlexPath caters to independent learners. On the platform, you can set your deadlines and complete the program at your speed.

Students in this program take courses like Lifespan Development, Learning Theories in Psychology, Program Evaluation, and Introduction to Educational Psychology. Students finish the program with the Integrative Project for Master’s Degree in Psychology, where students prove their research abilities. The dynamic program caters to students who want to become researchers, teachers, and more. 

Education can be expensive, and while Capella University is quite affordable, the program goes above and beyond with financial opportunities. Students in the Master of Science in Psychology program can apply for the Capella Progress Reward, which is a $2,500 scholarship. 

Theory and research inform every step of educational psychology. But without an application, theory and research float away unused. The University of Iowa’s Master of Arts in learning sciences emphasizes both the academic and the practical aspects of educational psychology. Students in this program take excellent courses on theory, but they also engage in an internship or practicum that puts their knowledge to the test.

University of Iowa’s learning science program requires its students to take leading courses like Design of Learning Environments, Design of Instruction, Educational Psychology, and Foundations of the Learning Sciences. Students supplement these core classes with specific courses in their specializations, which may be Technology and Media, Human Development and Motivation, or Measurement and Evaluation. 

To join this program, students must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, students must provide three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and an updated resume. 

The University of Missouri’s Master of Education in educational psychology program caters to people who want to become educators and education administrators. If you’re more interested in becoming a researcher or professor, consider the school’s Master of Arts program instead. 

Some classes that students take are Overview of Research Methods, Qualitative Methods in Educational Research, Lifespan Development, Advanced Human Learning, and Motivation. Students also need to take courses in statistics and psychological theory. 

To apply for this program, students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA from an accredited institution, three letters of recommendation, a professional resume, a statement of purpose, and GRE scores. The university accepts students who majored in an unrelated field, but they require these students to take an additional 15 hours of prerequisite course work. Note that if you fit into this category, you may take these prerequisite courses at your local community college to save money. 

School psychology is an adjacent field to educational psychology. The most significant difference is that school psychology focuses on learning in the classroom, while educational psychology focuses on learning in any context. Fort Hays State University offers an excellent Master of Science program in school psychology. Graduates from this program have become school psychologists, school administrators, and teachers.

Some courses that students take in this program are Behavior Therapy, Developmental Psychology, Appraisal of Children, Inferential Statistics, and Advanced Child Psychopathology. These classes build on the latest theories, research, and frameworks of the field. Before graduating, students take a comprehensive exam that tests their research, preparedness for becoming a school psychologist, and writing abilities. 

To join this program, applying students must submit GRE or MAT scores, a personal statement, a 3.0 or higher GPA from an accredited institution, two letters of recommendation, a professional background check, undergraduate coursework in psychology, and a professional resume. 

School counselors are the emotional backbone of the school system. They provide emotional support to students who need a helping hand, but they also help students who are planning the rest of their education. Texas A&M University offers a Master of Education program in educational psychology with an emphasis in school counseling. If you want to become a school counselor, you can hardly find a better program than at Texas A&M.

Students begin the two-year program with foundational courses, such as Career Counseling in Schools, Multicultural Counseling in Schools, and Foundations of School Counseling. By the end of the second year, students take classes like Assessment in School Settings, Consultation in Special Education, and School Counseling Group Interventions. Students also engage in two practicums in which they observe counselors in public and mental health settings. 

To join this program, students must complete an application, have a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA from an accredited institution, submit three letters of recommendation, and preferably have two or more years of teaching experience in a school setting.

Edinboro University has a unique perspective. They come from the angle of an institution that understands the struggle of teachers. Besides low pay and long work, teachers face the challenge of having to prove qualitative advances within their students, which is difficult. Among other things, Edinboro University’s Master of Education in educational psychology program helps educators demonstrate growth in their students.

Some classes that students take are Learning Theories, Seminar in Special Education, Research in Education, Foundations of Literacy, and Human Development Across the Lifespan. To graduate, students must submit an applied research study and pass a comprehensive exam with a 70% or higher score.

Do you want to join this esteemed program? Applying students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA, official transcripts, a professional resume, and a professional statement. Besides the program’s desire to empower teachers, it is also notable for its flexibility: Students can take as many classes per semester as they please.

Whether you’re a busy professional who can’t enroll in a full-time program or you want to finish school as soon as possible, Touro University Worldwide has a path for you. Students enrolled in Touro’s Master of Arts in psychology with a concentration in educational psychology can finish the program as little as a year. If they want to take longer, though, they can enroll in the university part-time.

Students begin this program with core psychology courses like Professional Ethics, Foundation of Applied Psychology, and Group Dynamics. Then, students focus on their concentration in Educational Psychology with classes like Career Counseling, Foundation of Learning and Cognition, and Introduction to Group Counseling in School. 

While Touri University’s program is one of the best in the nation, the program is accessible. Students can gain admission to this program as long as they have a 2.5 or higher GPA, official transcripts, application essays, and two letters of recommendation. The program has no GRE, MAT, or GMAT requirement.

Whether you want to become a teacher or an administrative leader in an educational institution, Eastern Michigan University’s Master of Arts program in educational psychology will help you reach your goals. The program includes 30 credits, which takes students an average of two years to complete. 

The program is divided between foundation and developing learner courses. The latter category includes three subdivisions, which are cognitive, emotional, and social psychology classes. Some courses that students in these programs take are Motivation to Learn, Crisis Intervention, Queer Theory, Coping with Problem Behavior, and Principles of Educational Research. 

The program has flexible requirements. To gain admission, students must meet one of the following three conditions: a 3.0 in the last half of their undergraduate program, a 3.3 GPA in twelve or more credits of graduate work, or a GRE score in the 50th percentile or higher. Additionally, students need two letters of recommendation, a professional statement, and a completed application.

Behavioral psychology is a flourishing field that focuses on how people, from students with disabilities to ordinary adults and veterans with PTSD, express their emotions. The University of Southern Maine offers an excellent online Master of Science program in educational psychology with a concentration in applied behavior analysis. With the concentration, students can become board certified behavior analysts in schools and elsewhere.

Some classes students take are Functional Behavior Assessment, Professional Ethics in Behavior Analysis, Physical Bases of Behavior, Psychopathology, and Single Case Research Methods. Students take two courses per semester, and they can graduate in six semesters if they follow this plan.

The University of Southern Maine is a relatively accessible program. To gain admission, students need a 2.5 or higher GPA from an undergraduate institution or a 3.0 or higher GPA from a graduate institution. If students don’t meet this requirement, they can make an appeal to the school, declaring why they deserve admission and how they will succeed in their graduate studies.

Any profession in education is noble. It’s a service to students, parents, and communities. And advanced degrees in education are nobler still. If you want to be a guiding light to students and faculty, consider joining The College of Saint Rose’s Master of Science in educational psychology. Graduates from this program have become leading researchers, school administrations, and teachers of students of all ages.

In this program, students choose between three schemes: general, research, or school psychology. In the general scheme, students focus on the fundamentals of teaching and counseling in all types of educational contexts. The research scheme focuses on preparing students for doctoral programs. Finally, the school psychology program prepares students who have been admitted to the certificate of advanced study in school psychology.

Students in the general scheme take courses like Educational Research, Theories of Learning, Adolescent Psychology and Development, Psychology of Diversity, and Survey of Educational Psychology. Students in other schemes take similar classes, but they set aside several courses for research or school psychology foundational courses.

Northcentral University’s Master of Science program in educational psychology is one of the most flexible programs on this list. Most notably, students can begin this program on any Monday of the year. Then, they can complete the 30 credit hours, which comprises ten classes, in as few as 18 months. Graduates from this program have become academic counselors, social workers, teachers, behavioral therapists, and more.

Some classes students take are Foundations of Educational Psychology, Applied Statistics, Research Design, and Psychological Tests and Measurements. The master’s program also requires its students to complete an internship or capstone in educational psychology. The capstone asks students to submit a paper demonstrating the knowledge they’ve accumulated in educational psychology. The internship requires students to observe professionals working in educational psychology.

Admitted students should take note of the Nurture Ingenuity Scholarships. This organization awards three scholarships that pay an entire student’s tuition and two scholarships that pay half of a student’s tuition. 

Kent State University offers one of the best Master of Education in educational psychology programs in the nation. And when it comes to online programs, Kent State has one of the best Master of Education programs in the world. The program combines an equal amount of educational psychology core classes and electives, totalling 30 credit hours.

The five core courses that students must take are Learning Theories, Educational Psychology, Educational Motivation, Child and Adolescent Development, and Psychological Foundations of Education. Then, students must choose five electives, some of which are Statistics, Trends in Educational Technology, Instructional Design, and Classroom Assessment. 

To gain admission to Kent State University, students must have a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA in an accredited institution. Additionally, students must submit a goal statement, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA can join the program, but they will need a B or higher grade in their first three classes.

Teachers are on the frontlines of our efforts to create an educated and mature populace. But behind teachers lie researchers and massive institutions that design programs, methods of evaluation, and metrics for teachers. The University of Connecticut offers a Master of Arts in educational psychology with an emphasis in research methods, measurement, and evaluation. Thus, this program is best for people who wish to become researchers, psychologists, or faculty in higher education.

Some classes that students take are Single Subject Research, Advanced Program Evaluation, Quantitative Methods in Research, and Educational Tests and Measurements. In this program, students must choose between a thesis or non-thesis option. In the non-thesis option, students enroll in a practicum and independent study. 

At $825 per credit, the University of Connecticut isn’t one of the most affordable options on this list. But the university name looks very good on paper, and the program is nationally acclaimed for its excellent classes and faculty members. 

Humans never stop learning or evolving, and under constant change, humans often face a lot of stress. But a trained professional can analyze and mend issues in all kinds of patients. The University of Louisiana Monroe offers an online Master of Science in psychology program. Students in this program choose a general, psychometric, or forensic concentration in the program. 

All psychology students enrolled at the University of Louisiana Monroe must take Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences, Research Methods, and Neuropsychology. Students in the psychometric concentration take Behavior Modification, Theories of Learning, and Individual Tests. Students in the forensic track take Basic Psychotherapy, Behavior Modification, and Cognition. 

To gain admission to this program, students must meet two of the following three criteria: a 2.75 undergraduate GPA or higher, a 290 or higher combined score on the GRE, or a combined number of 800 when you multiply undergraduate GPA by GRE score. 

Educational leaders stand behind students, teachers, and parents, crafting an educational environment that promotes learning, equality, and the promotion of good health in schools. Eastern Washington University works to create those leaders with a Master of Education program in educational leadership. 

Students begin the program with three core classes: Methods of Educational Research, Transformation of Teaching & Learning, and Philosophy and Organization of American Schools. Students then specialize in the many aspects of educational leadership with courses like School Law, School Administration, Leadership for Today’s Schools, and Supervision of Instruction.

To join this program, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Additionally, they need to provide official transcripts and application essays. The school charges $263.26 per credit hour, which makes Eastern Washington University one of the most affordable options on this list. 

Rutgers University offers an excellent Master of Education program in educational psychology with an emphasis on learning, cognition, and development. This program aims to teach students how our human psychology affects how we learn, develop in our emotional and mental faculties, and motivate others in educational settings. 

Some courses that students in this program take are Motivation in the Classroom, Psychology of Learning, Cognitive Development, and Introduction to Child Psychology: Infancy Through Adolescence. If students join the program without undergraduate experience in psychology, they’ll have to supplement the 30-credit program with prerequisite classes. Students can finish the program in as two years, but they can take as long as five years to graduate.

As a nationally renowned school, the program employs equally renowned faculty, many of whom have changed the landscape of educational psychology. If you want to join a leading program, take captivating courses, and have a promising future in educational psychology, Rutgers University is an excellent choice.

While North Carolina State University may be the last entry on this list, it is one of the few programs that focus specifically on school counseling. If school counseling is your dream, you can rest assured that North Carolina State University has one of the best Master of Education in school counseling programs in the nation. This online program is a three-year, part-time program with two classes per semester.

Some classes that students take are Group Counseling, Cross-Cultural Counseling, Clinical Assessment, Multicultural Lifespan Development, and Gender Issues in Counseling. Students also take courses specific to school counseling like Introduction to School Counseling. Then, they enroll in an Internship in School Counseling, which provides students with experience in the field.

To gain admission to this program, students must submit GRE or MAT scores, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a professional resume, and a complete online application. If you’re an international student, you must also submit the TOEFL.