Master's in Educational & School Psychology

Two degrees with nearly identical names lead to different credentials, different workplaces and different pay. Educational psychology prepares people for research, instructional design, assessment and teacher education. School psychology prepares practitioners who test students, write eligibility reports and sit on IEP teams inside K-12 districts.

The dividing line shows up in credit hours. NASP sets the entry standard for school psychologists at a specialist-level program of at least 60 graduate semester hours plus a supervised internship, while many educational psychology master's degrees stop at 30 to 36.

That gap is the practical constraint: a master's by itself usually will not get you credentialed to practice as a school psychologist in your state.

10 Top-Ranked Educational & School Psychology Master's Programs

The programs below split into two broad families. Some are practitioner master's degrees in school psychology that stack with a credential or specialist degree and lead toward state licensure; others are educational psychology master's degrees built for teaching, research, instructional design or program evaluation. Format, credit load and clinical hours vary widely, so read the bullets rather than the headline.

Rank	School	Location	Net price	Best for
#1	Texas A&M University-Central Texas	Killeen, TX	$5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)	Aspiring doctoral students wanting research training
Texas A&M University-Central Texas is a public university in Killeen whose graduate psychology offering is built around a 36-hour M.S. in Applied Psychology with four emphasis areas, one of them educational psychology with a teaching in higher education focus. Students share a research core in statistics, methods, learning theory and human development, then complete an applied thesis, and the program runs fully online as well as on campus. The university graduates roughly 82% of its students overall, and psychology master's graduates reported median earnings near $67,000 four years after completion. M.S. in Applied Psychology, Master's — Online 36 credit hours including a shared research core Four emphasis areas, one of them educational psychology Educational psychology track covers instructional design and assessment Fully online option available alongside campus classes Applied thesis supported by faculty Fall, spring and summer starts with July, November and April deadlines Core covers behavioral statistics, research methods and learning theory Visit Website
#2	Touro University Worldwide	Los Alamitos, CA	~$9,000/yr (est.)	Career changers exploring learning without licensure
Touro University Worldwide is a private nonprofit institution in Los Alamitos, California, built around accelerated online study in eight-week sessions. Its M.A. in Psychology carries an educational psychology concentration focused on how people learn and which strategies make learning stick, preparing graduates for research centers, community organizations and learning centers rather than clinical licensure. The university graduates about 29% of its students overall, and psychology master's graduates reported median earnings near $61,000 one year after completion, rising to about $89,000 four years out. Master of Arts in Psychology, Educational Psychology Concentration — Online No entrance examFully online option Finish in about 12 months taking two courses per term Eight-week sessions with six start dates a year No GRE or other entrance exam required 100% online with no residency requirement Concentration covers learning science and instructional strategies Degree does not lead to licensure Accelerated admissions process Visit Website
#3	California State University-Sacramento	Sacramento, CA	$10,000 – $20,000/yr (est.)	Future school psychologists in California
California State University, Sacramento is a large public campus whose school psychology master's sits in a College of Education that emphasizes cultural diversity and supervised fieldwork in K-12 settings. The program blends assessment, counseling and consultation coursework with practice in schools, and it culminates in an Education Specialist degree, the Pupil Personnel Services credential, or both, with an added route to counseling licensure through extra coursework. The university graduates roughly 56% of its students overall. MA in School Psychology — On-Campus Campus-based program blending coursework with fieldwork Culminates in an Education Specialist degree or PPS credential Additional coursework opens a path to LPCC licensure Emphasis on cultural diversity and reflective practice Prepares graduates for K-12 practice, administration and policy roles Fieldwork embedded in the curriculum Visit Website
#4	The University of Texas at San Antonio	San Antonio, TX	$10,000 – $29,000/yr (est.)
The University of Texas at San Antonio offers two distinct graduate routes in this field from its College of Education and Human Development: a practitioner-focused school psychology master's built around Texas licensure, and a shorter applied educational psychology master's for research and program evaluation work. Both are campus programs, and the school psychology route adds a full-time internship plus a comprehensive written exam. The university graduates about 53% of its students overall, and psychology master's graduates reported median earnings near $62,000 one year after completion and about $63,000 four years out. Master of Arts in School Psychology — On-Campus 66 credit hours with a full-time school internship Around 600 clinical hours Comprehensive written exam; no thesis option 3.25 GPA in the last 60 credit hours required Prepares for the Texas Licensed Specialist in School Psychology credential Praxis II required for licensure Eligible for Nationally Certified School Psychologist status Visit Website Master of Arts in Applied Educational Psychology — On-Campus 36 credit hours with two concentration options Program Evaluation and Applied Research concentration 3.0 GPA minimum No thesis required; optional master's thesis available Practicum in program evaluation and applied research Comprehensive examination required Cross-departmental electives available Visit Website
#5	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse	La Crosse, WI	$10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.)
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a public campus with a long-standing school psychology presence, and it runs two very different routes: a one-year, campus-based master's for full-time students and a multi-year online program for working educators already employed in a district. The campus program is approved by the state education department and holds conditional national accreditation, and both routes lean heavily on supervised practice in real schools. The university graduates about 71% of its students overall, and graduates reported median earnings near $61,000 one year after completion. M.S.Ed. in School Psychology, Master's — On-Campus 31 credit hours completed in one full-time year Around 700 hours of supervised practica in K-12 schools Approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Holds conditional national accreditation Praxis II or comprehensive exam required to finish Coursework in assessment, counseling and behavioral intervention Visit Website School Psychology, Online Track, Master's — Online Rolling admissions 61 credit hours over four years, one course at a time Asynchronous online cohort of about 12 students Rolling admissions with a summer start Practica completed in the student's own district Designed for working educators seeking the school psychologist endorsement Annual on-campus orientation required Visit Website
#6	Pennsylvania Western University	California, PA	$11,000 – $12,000/yr (est.)
Pennsylvania Western University formed from the consolidation of three Pennsylvania state universities and now delivers much of its graduate education online. It pairs a fully online educational psychology master's aimed at teachers, counselors and instructional coordinators with a hybrid school psychology program that trains toward Pennsylvania certification through a scientist-practitioner model. The university graduates about 52% of its students overall, and psychology master's graduates reported median earnings near $52,000 one year after completion and about $60,000 four years out. Master of Education in Educational Psychology — Online 30 credit hours, 100% online Covers cognition, motivation, learning theory and assessment CAEP accredited Act 48 continuing education credits for Pennsylvania educators Prepares for roles in instruction, counseling and learning support Personalized success coaching and post-graduation support Visit Website School Psychology, Master's — Hybrid Three-year hybrid program with two delivery options 1,200 clinical hours including a year-long practicum Accredited by the national school psychology association and the state education department Scientist-practitioner training model On-site school psychology clinic Prepares for Pennsylvania school psychologist certification Visit Website
#7	University of Northern Iowa	Cedar Falls, IA	$12,000 – $23,000/yr (est.)
The University of Northern Iowa is a public campus in Cedar Falls whose school psychology program combines a master's with an educational specialist degree across three full-time years. Training follows a scientist-practitioner model with more than 515 practicum hours under a licensed school psychologist, and the department has added a Grow Your Own partnership with Iowa Area Education Agencies to prepare psychologists for high-need rural districts. The university graduates about 68% of its students overall, and graduates reported median earnings near $60,000 four years after completion. School Psychology (MAE/EdS), Master's — On-Campus Three-year full-time program combining a master's and EdS More than 515 practicum hours under a licensed school psychologist NASP-approved program starting in fall Reported 100% first-year employment for graduates over 15 years Grow Your Own partnership with Iowa Area Education Agencies 2.8 GPA minimum and three letters of recommendation Scholarships, assistantships and a rural teacher pathway Visit Website
#8	Houston Christian University	Houston, TX	~$12,000/yr (est.)
Houston Christian University is a private Baptist-affiliated institution in Houston with small classes taught by doctoral-level faculty and a Christian-values framing. Its school psychology specialist route is a 63-credit master's that meets Texas requirements for the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology credential, with an option to add counseling licensure and a schedule flexible enough for students working full time. The university graduates about 49% of its students overall, and psychology master's graduates reported median earnings near $48,000 one year after completion and about $70,000 four years out. Master of Arts in Psychology, Specialist in School Psychology — On-Campus 63 credit hours including practicum and internship Meets Texas requirements for LSSP licensure Option to add LPC licensure Coursework in assessment, counseling, crisis response and applied behavior analysis Flexible schedule allows students to work full time Small classes taught by doctoral-level faculty Christian values integrated into a close cohort Visit Website
#9	American International College	Springfield, MA	~$13,000/yr (est.)
American International College is a private institution in Springfield, Massachusetts, that runs its graduate education programs in part-time cohorts designed for working school employees. Its educational psychology master's carries a school counseling concentration and a practicum students can often complete in their own school or district, with licensure eligibility following additional credits. The college graduates about 46% of its students overall, and psychology master's graduates reported median earnings near $52,000 one year after completion. Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, School Counseling Concentration — Online 30 credit hours to the master's degree Part-time sequence of about four years in eight-week terms Once-a-week synchronous remote classes 450-hour practicum in an approved Massachusetts public school 48 credits earns eligibility for initial school counseling licensure 3.0 GPA minimum and two letters of recommendation Rolling admissions Visit Website
#10	Fresno Pacific University	Fresno, CA	~$14,000/yr (est.)
Fresno Pacific University is a private Christian institution in Fresno that trains school psychologists for Central Valley districts through hybrid cohorts mixing online seminars and in-person classes. It offers a school psychology master's that includes the California pupil personnel services credential, plus a longer dual school psychology and school counseling route for students who want both credentials. The university graduates about 50% of its students overall. School Psychology, M.A. and PPS Credential, Master's — Hybrid 62 credit hours across six semesters Hybrid format with synchronous online and in-person class meetings Includes the California pupil personnel services credential BCBA coursework embedded Fieldwork across Central Valley school settings Cohort starts in fall with prerequisites required Visit Website School Psychology/School Counseling Dual Program, M.A., Master's — Hybrid 90 credit hours over three years Earns dual pupil personnel services credentials 1,200 clinical hours Summer cohort start with rolling admissions 3.0 GPA minimum and two letters of recommendation Full-time enrollment required Visit Website

How the Scores Were Built and What They Can't Tell You

The scores weigh cost, outcomes and access rather than reputation. Graduate tuition comes from IPEDS, and outcome measures come from College Scorecard, at both the program and institution level.

What the accreditation labels mean

Regional accreditation covers the institution as a whole. CAEP reviews educator-preparation programs. NASP approval applies to school psychology tracks, and it is granted at the specialist and doctoral levels. A master's that serves as the first stage of a specialist pathway is therefore not separately NASP-approved, and NASP status does not stand in for CAEP or regional accreditation. Some statuses carry conditions: Michigan State's specialist level is conditionally approved, and UC Santa Barbara's specialist program is listed as in candidacy.

Where the scores stop

Graduation rate is measured across the whole institution, not the psychology program. Net price is a sector average, not your bill. The score also cannot judge fit, faculty mentorship, or how well a program places its interns and graduates. Treat it as a way to build a shortlist, not to pick a winner.

Verify accreditation yourself

• NASP: Search the Program Approval and Accreditation List by state or institution. A program that is not listed has no current NASP status.
• CAEP: Check the accredited-provider directory, since CAEP gives full or conditional national recognition to NASP-approved programs at CAEP-accredited institutions.
• The program's site: Confirm the degree level, the accreditor and the regional accreditation record, then ask the department directly.

Educational Psychology, School Psychology or Counseling: Matching the Degree to the Job

NASP's entry standard for school psychologists is a specialist-level program of at least 60 graduate semester hours, a credential benchmark that separates these three degrees before you compare a single course list.

Three degrees, three kinds of work

Educational psychology studies how people learn, what instruction works, and how assessment measures understanding. The degree leads to a wide range of work: instructional design, curriculum and assessment roles, learning-sciences research, ed-tech product work, training and development, or doctoral study. School psychology is applied practice in K-12 schools, centered on assessment, intervention, consultation, and student supports. Counseling is therapy and mental health work, with its own licensure path.

Match the track to the goal

The degree title matters less than the track inside it. If you want to design courses or workplace training, look for instructional design or learning-technology concentrations. If research and evaluation appeal to you, prioritize programs with a thesis or research apprenticeship. If your goal is assessment or curriculum leadership in a district, find coursework in measurement, program evaluation, and data use. A general educational psychology master's can support all three, but only when the electives and culminating project line up with the job you want.

The credential boundary

Most educational psychology master's programs do not, by themselves, lead to school psychologist credentials. If you want to practice in a school, ask early whether the program leads to state certification or is a stepping stone to a specialist or doctoral program. That one question prevents a costly detour.

Can a Master's Alone Make You a School Psychologist?

The field's credentialing benchmark sits at the specialist level, even though many programs still award a master's along the way. The short answer is usually no.

What the Standard Expects

NASP's credentialing standards call for at least three years of full-time graduate study (or a part-time equivalent) and 60 graduate semester hours, 54 of them excluding the internship. The supervised internship runs 1,200 clock hours, with at least 600 in a school setting. Michigan asks for a state-approved specialist-level degree or equivalent with no fewer than 60 semester credit hours and the same 1,200-hour internship.¹ North Carolina's published licensure requirements follow the same shape.⁴

Many programs build the master's in as a checkpoint. The University of Delaware's page describes an M.A. after 30 credits, then 30 more credits, including the internship, for the Ed.S.² It says state certification eligibility comes only after the full 60-credit program, not the interim master's. The University of Kentucky's Ed.S. program likewise awards an M.S. along the way.³

Where States Differ

State agencies, not a national license, decide the title, exams and pathway. Florida's rule allows a master's-or-higher route, but only through a NASP or APA approved program with 60 semester hours in school psychology and a 1,200-hour internship. So even there, the master's carries specialist-level coursework. Texas lists a 1,200-hour internship with 600 hours in a public school, and Texas State University's specialist program runs 69 semester credit hours.⁵ Confirm the current rule with your state department of education before you enroll.

School Credential vs. Licensed Psychologist

A state education agency credential covers school-based practice. The independent title "licensed psychologist" is a separate license that typically requires a doctorate. Some states, Texas among them, link specialist programs to additional credentials, so check what each one allows.

What This Means for Your Choice

• School practice is the goal: pick a NASP-approved specialist-level program and plan for the full internship year.
• A terminal master's in educational psychology: treat it as a different path, aimed at learning design, research or program roles rather than school psychologist certification.
• Unsure: ask each program whether its master's is a stopping point or a step toward the Ed.S.

Lowest-Cost Programs: Graduate Tuition and What Else Adds Up

These are the lowest-cost options here by annual graduate tuition and fees, from IPEDS and College Scorecard (2024) data from the U.S. Department of Education. The figures are before any financial aid, and your real total depends on fees, residency status and the number of credits you need (a 72-credit Ed.S. costs more overall than a 30-credit master's at a similar yearly rate). Online programs sometimes charge one rate regardless of residency, so confirm the current figure on each school's tuition page before you budget.

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How Much Do Graduates Borrow, and What Will the Monthly Payment Be?

These programs post the lowest median federal debt at completion, from $20,272 at UW-La Crosse to $34,104 at Emporia State. Each bar is labeled with the estimated monthly payment on a 10-year plan, from $231 to $388. Lower debt widens the gap between what graduates earn and what they owe each month. Programs without a published debt figure are left off this chart.

Admission Requirements: GPA, Prerequisites, GRE and Deadlines

Each program sets its own admission standards, so check these points against every school on your shortlist.

• Bachelor's degree and GPA

  A 3.0 is the most common benchmark. Northeastern, Fort Hays State and Illinois State each list it, and George Mason calls a 3.0 overall desirable rather than an absolute cutoff. Several schools calculate GPA on recent coursework only. Fort Hays uses your last 60 undergraduate credit hours, and Illinois State accepts your last 60 undergraduate hours or 9 graduate hours. CSU Northridge sets a 2.5 minimum based on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter units.
• Non-psychology majors and teaching licenses

  None of these program pages requires a teaching license. At CSU Northridge, a teaching credential waives the Psychological Foundations prerequisite. Fort Hays State considers applicants from outside psychology or education once they have 12 psychology credits and a research or statistics course. Northeastern expects a psychology major or 6–8 equivalent courses and recommends prior experience with children.
• Prerequisite coursework

  Statistics or research methods appears on nearly every list. Illinois State requires 21 undergraduate psychology hours, including statistics with a B or better. CSU Northridge requires its prerequisite courses to be completed with a B or better within the past seven years. George Mason may grant conditional admission to applicants who are still missing prerequisites and encourages them to apply by its January 15 priority date.
• GRE policy

  CSU Northridge requires the GRE. Applicants below a 3.0 must score at or above the 50th percentile on at least one aptitude section. CSU Sacramento recommends the GRE for Fall 2026 but does not require it. George Mason makes it optional, and Northeastern does not require it. Illinois State lists a minimum GRE Quantitative Reasoning score of 144.
• Deadlines and intake

  Fort Hays State has a November 1 priority deadline and a February 1 final deadline. Illinois State's deadline is December 1, and it admits for fall only. Tufts sets a January 15 priority deadline and an April 15 regular deadline, with no summer entry. Northeastern runs from a January 15 priority date to a June 15 final date.
• Supporting materials

  Ask each admissions office for its current document checklist before you request letters or draft a statement of purpose.

More Educational & School Psychology Programs to Consider

The programs below extend the directory beyond the ranked list, grouped by degree type so you can scan for the training model that fits your goals. Each entry notes location, delivery format, and the concentration or credential the school itself describes.

School Psychology and Specialist Pathways

Educational Psychology Master's Degrees

School Psychology and Specialist Pathways

Educational Psychology Master's Degrees

School Psychology and Specialist Pathways

Educational Psychology Master's Degrees

School Psychology and Specialist Pathways

Educational Psychology Master's Degrees

School Psychology and Specialist Pathways