An educational psychologist is a psychologist whose differentiating functions may include diagnostic and psycho-educational assessment, psychological counseling in educational communities, community-type.
What does an educational psychologist do?
Educational psychologists apply theories of human development to understand individual learning and inform the instructional process. Psychologists working in this subfield examine how people learn in a variety of settings to identify approaches and strategies to make learning more effective.
What does an educational psychologist do and why?
Educational psychologists support schools and the local authority to improve all children’s experiences of learning. They use their training in psychology and knowledge of child development to assess difficulties children may be having with their learning.
What can an educational psychologist diagnose?
Yes, an Educational Psychologist can diagnose both Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. They can also make recommendations and devise strategies to help children with either of these conditions overcome any barriers they may be experiencing in their learning and development.
Below is How To Become An Educational Psychologist In South Africa
Here is a list of steps to help you determine the educational and professional requirements you need to become an educational psychologist:
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology
To become an educational psychologist, you first need to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program in psychology. Depending on the institution where you study, you may have the opportunity to specialize in one or more areas.
However, you typically receive a foundational education in the different areas of psychology, its history and theories. Courses may include developmental psychology, statistics, cognitive psychology, foundations of psychology or abnormal psychology.
2. Complete internships
Throughout your undergraduate studies, it’s important that you take advantage of internship opportunities to learn more about psychology, the educational sector and the work environments you could work in.
Gaining internship experience at the undergraduate level can also help you when applying for master’s degree programs later on, as it demonstrates your genuine interest in the field.
3. Earn a master’s degree in educational psychology
An educational psychology master’s degree program typically takes two years to complete. During this time, you have the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of educational psychology.
Courses usually include cognitive psychology, child development, the history of educational psychology, learning behaviors, behavior analysis and psychological assessment. This program helps you prepare for job opportunities and internships, or a doctorate degree program.
4. Consider earning a doctorate degree in educational psychology
It’s optional to earn a doctorate degree in educational psychology, as a master’s degree and additional licensure requirements qualify you to enter the field. However, a doctorate degree in educational psychology can help you obtain leadership positions, higher earnings and additional opportunities to teach at colleges or universities.
Depending on the state where you want to earn your license, earning a doctorate degree could also allow you to diagnose learning disabilities and develop care plans.
What does an educational psychologist do?
Educational psychologists work at specialty clinics and schools where they carry out their job responsibilities. Here are some examples of the types of job responsibilities educational psychologists have:
Review existing course materials, exam formats and teaching methods to determine their impact on student learning
Interact with parents, students and educators to develop alternative teaching methods and track progress
Record testing data overtime to evaluate student progress and compile reports for future review
Maintain up-to-date knowledge on different learning disabilities and their affects to enhance professional contributions
Work closely with other educational psychologists and mental health professionals to develop and oversee research studies
Conduct educational lessons for educators to help them learn to identify early signs of learning disabilities and behavioral tendencies
Diagnose learning disabilities and behavioral issues in students by reviewing student files, holding interviews and conducting psychological assessments
What skills do educational psychologists need?
Educational psychologists need a variety of technical and interpersonal skills in order to do their job well. Here are some examples of skills that educational psychologists benefit from:
Interpersonal communication: Interpersonal communication is the process by which an individual can adjust their communication tactics to effectively communicate with different people. This is especially important for educational psychologists as they need to be able to interact with children, parents, teachers and other education professionals on a daily basis.
Public speaking: Educational psychologists may need to speak in front of groups of teachers, parents or psychology professionals for a variety of different reasons. This includes conducting educational lessons and speaking at psychology seminars about research. Therefore, they need to be able to speak in a clear and concise manner to help convey important information.
Attention to detail: Attention to detail is an important skill for educational psychologists as they regularly have to review progress reports and observe student learning to determine the type of learning disability they have and how to help them overcome it.
Empathy: Educational psychologists need to have empathy towards the children and adults they work with. This helps build rapport and ensures that an individual gets the resources they need to learn and retain information.
Written communication: Written communication is the ability to write effective documents that have excellent readability. Educational psychologists need to have good written communication skills so they can write emails, professional research reports and educational materials for parents or teachers.
Below, we outline several options for those looking to enter the field of educational psychology.
1 I’m an Undergraduate or Have Completed my Undergraduate
1. Declare as a psychology major.
Undergrad coursework in educational psychology typically includes:
Educational Psychology
Statistical Methods
Behavioral Adaptation to School and Society
Development in Childhood
Lifespan Human Development
Educational Research Problems
Field Experience and Educational Research
2 I Have a Master’s or Doctorate
Refine Your Resume and Keep It Current
Keep your resume looking professional, interesting and relevant to your specialty, with up-to-date skills and experiences in or relating to educational psychology.
Review your resume for proofreading and suggestions with several friends and/or peers.
Document minor changes in work experience on your resume and always customize it for the job interview at-hand.
Licensure for Educational Psychologists in South Africa
Psychologists become licensed at the state level, and requirements vary by jurisdiction. This interactive map shows the different board requirements in Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards-member states, and this page lists websites for all psychology licensing boards.
Those pursuing educational psychologist careers can become nationally certified school psychologists (NCSPs), a credential conferred by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The certification indicates that a school psychologist has met high-level, nationally recognized standards.
Each applicant must complete a graduate degree in school psychology, on-site practicum experiences, 1,200 hours as an intern, and the Praxis school psychologist examination with a passing score of 147. Submission requirements for graduates of NASP-approved programs include an online application, official transcripts, and Praxis test scores.
What qualifications do you need to be an educational psychologist?
Though all students interested in becoming an educational psychologist start with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree is the minimum requirement for a career in the field. You may need to earn a Ph. D. if you aspire to teach or research at the university level.
Where can I study educational psychology in South Africa?
Master’s Degrees in Educational Psychology in South Africa
10 Educational Psychology Master’s in South Africa. Master. Research Psychology. University of Kwazulu Natal. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
10 Educational Psychology Master’s in South Africa. Master. Research Psychology. University of Kwazulu Natal.
Does Unisa have educational psychology?
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology of Education
What is an educational psychologist in South Africa?
In South Africa, educational psychologists are trained in assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, counselling, and facilitating support and interventions.
How many years does it take to become an educational psychologist in South Africa ?
3) You will need a 3 year Taught Doctorate in Educational Psychology to gain eligibility to apply for registration with the HPC (Health Professions Council) to become a Chartered Educational Psychologist.
What is the salary of an educational psychologist in South Africa ?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), educational psychologists providing direct patient care (categorized by the BLS as clinical/counseling/school psychologists) earned a median salary of R 1153826.29.
How do I become a child psychologist in South Africa?
Five years full-time formal education in psychology, i.e. a three-year bachelor’s degree, majoring in psychology or its equivalent, plus an honours degree in psychology, plus a directed master’s degree programme in psychology approved by the HPCSA.
Are educational psychologists in demand?
Yes, school psychologists are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of psychology is expected to grow by 14% between 2018 and 2028, which is much faster than most occupations. School psychologists are also uniquely qualified to improve schools’ curriculum and learning environments.
Is school psychology stressful?
They might role-play with students on the autism spectrum. “Public school students face a pretty stressful environment,” she notes. For some students, this stress morphs into anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, and the school psychologist is the point person to address these concerns.