Education and school. School and education. At first glance, these two words practically mean the same thing.
However, in terms of psychology, they have significant differences between them.
Keep reading to learn about what educational psychology and school psychology are, how they differ, and which degrees you’ll need to become a psychologist in one of these fields.
What is educational psychology?
Educational psychology is a branch of psychology that primarily focuses on the ways learning occurs in schools. Incorporating elements of cognitive, neuro-, social, behavioral, and developmental psychology, educational psychologists can research, test, and ultimately help provide conducive learning environments for all types of students.
Typical day-to-day tasks of these professionals include:
- Conducting studies related to students and their education
- Assessing current teaching or testing methods
- Developing new resources to improve curricula and learning outcomes
What is school psychology?
School psychology is a separate branch of psychology that focuses on improving a student’s capacity to learn. Informed by a background in educational, developmental, community, behavioral, and clinical psychology, school psychologists aim to help students succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and mentally.
Responsibilities of these professionals consist of assessing an individual students’ learning or behavioral issues via testing or observation, providing needed counseling services, gathering insights from and providing feedback for student families and teachers, and designing student performance plans.
Educational psychology vs. school Psychology: 5 differences
Now that we have a general understanding of educational and school psychology, it’s time to clarify some of their differences.
1. Scope of focus
Educational psychology has more of a macro-focus when it comes to the learning done in schools. In fact, it’s the process and intricacies of learning itself that are of interest. Practitioners in this field focus on generating or utilizing educational research to support their student communities and foster favorable learning environments.
School psychology has more of a micro-focus when it comes to school learning, which isn’t to say that their focus is smaller or less significant. Practitioners in this field work directly with individual students to help them with their academic performance, mental health, and socioemotional well-being.
2. Targeted age demographics
In educational psychology, professionals can center their work on individuals of all ages. Though many educational psychologists tend to focus on childhood and adolescent research, some decide to study learning in adults, either at a collegiate level or sometimes beyond.
School psychologists work with children and adolescents in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Although they may consult or survey parents and teachers, their subjects are consistently youths. School psychologists working directly with adult demographics is usually a result of a career change.
3. Areas of expertise
Educational psychologists specialize in niche concentrations of their field, including:
- Program Development and Implementation, which means helping schools improve their academic curricula
- Instructor Review and Training, which means ensuring teachers understand the latest evidence-based educational findings and know how to apply them in the classroom
- Data Assessment and Psychometric Testing, which means conducting tests to measure a student population’s academic performance
- Educational Materials and Instruction Design, which means adding, editing, or removing educational materials to ensure classroom instruction is up to par with current student body needs
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), these professionals can also research learning in environments other than schools, such as an office or in the home.
School psychologists also have specializations unique to their profession and branch of psychology, such as:
- Preventative and Response Services, which means advising or even counseling students and families about the potential risks within a school environment (e.g., (cyber)bullying, eating disorders, social isolation)
- Special Education Assessment and Planning, which means providing appropriate testing for individual students who may have unacknowledged learning challenges and providing student plans to help them
- Private Consultation Counseling, which means offering troubled students private psychotherapy sessions to help with social, emotional, or behavioral struggles
- Student Interventions, which means working closely with at-risk or special needs students by providing step-by-step measures to keep their academic performance on track
4. Degree and licensure requirements
Although licensing requirements will vary by state, most school systems require aspiring educational psychologists to have completed a graduate or doctoral program (Ed.D., Psy.D.) related to the field. Institutions at the collegiate level may require a Ph.D. in educational psychology to conduct formal research.
Similarly, licensure for school psychologists will depend on their state’s department of education. However, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) offers a National Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) designation, which is recognized by 33 states as a means of getting a license.
School psychology programs eligible for NASP approval and accreditation include post-master’s programs (Ed.S.) and doctorate programs (Psy.D., Ed.D, Ph.D.).
5. Training curricula
While educational and school psychologists will share some courses in their programs, each will focus on different curriculum offerings.
Generally speaking, educational psychology programs will focus more on research and analysis, while school psychology programs will focus more on counseling, testing, and behavior modification.
Get your degree in educational psychology or school psychology
Now that you’ve learned the basics of both educational and school psychology, are you ready to pursue a degree in either field? Luckily for you, The Chicago School offers multiple degree programs in educational psychology and school psychology.
With regards to the former, our Ed.D. in Educational Psychology and Technology is a part-time online program that will teach you to critically evaluate effective instruction, assess teaching and learning challenges, and make informed decisions regarding new technology-driven approaches that enhance learning outcomes. This three-year program concentrates on instructional design, K-12 education learning and technology, or higher education learning and technology.
Our Ed.S. and Psy.D. in School Psychology programs will help graduates learn essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative skills, prevention and crisis practice, program evaluation methodologies, and more. The specialist program is in-person, full-time or part-time, and will take three to four years to complete. The doctorate program is blended, full-time or part-time, and will take five years to complete.
Use our program finder to learn more about these degrees and request more information by filling out the form below.
