Educational Psychology is the study of the process of learning in educational settings, the psychology of teaching, and the social complex of the school organization. This field focuses on how students learn and grow as individuals, and how the institutions they attend impact this growth. Educational psychologists often examine specific groups such as gifted or disabled students. Individuals practicing educational psychology often branch off into specialties, including instructional design, educational technology, curriculum development, organizational learning, special education, and classroom management.
There are numerous programs around the country that confer the Masters in Educational Psychology degree. With a plan of study of around 36 units, students take courses including Gerontology: Multidisciplinary Perspectives, Life Span Development: Birth to Death, Child Development, Adolescent Development, Adult Development and Aging, Applied Cognition and Learning Strategies, and Brain Research Applied to Educational and Clinical Practice. Once focused on the testing for special education, educational psychology programs now explore assessment, consultation, and intervention/counseling. Students are provided the opportunity to examine scientific foundations and training in applying current research to improve the educational environment. Graduates work as school psychologists, curriculum developers, teachers, and authors.