Question About Educational Psychology

[ClinicalMan]

Does anyone know what the difference is between a school psychologist and an educational psychologist? Is it the case that to get a PhD in educational psychology one needs to have a degree in education first?

 

Thanks  

[t_ruth]

School psych degrees tend to have either a pure clinical/practical focus or a mixed clinical/practical and research focus. Ed psych on the other hand are more likely to have a pure research focus. The after-graduation job prospects are quite different.

There are a lot of similarities in the types of research questions that can be asked and answered across the two fields though.

No, you do not need an education degree first.

I'm happy to answer any more questions.

[dancedementia]

Licensure. Educational psychologists are generally not eligible for licensure as school psychologists. The former tends to be a PhD whereas the latter tends to me masters, specialist, or doctoral.

Think of school psychologists as the clinicians who provide services to school populations.

Educational psychology is more about the theory of learning and the theory of educational systems. Study environments, learning outcomes, etc.

Edited June 29, 2017 by dancedementia