Educational Psychologist Legal, Social & Cultural Professionals
SaveWhat Does an Educational Psychologist Do?
Educational psychologists are psychologists employed by educational institutions to provide psychological and emotional support to students in need. They are specialised in the provision of direct support and interventions to students, conducting psychological testing and assessment, and consulting with families, teachers and other school-based student support professionals, such as school social workers and educational counsellors, about the students. They may also work with the school administration to improve practical support strategies in order to improve the students' well-being.
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Where Do I Start?
Developmental Psychology
The study of human behaviour, performance, and psychological development from infancy to adolescence.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Educational Psychologist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialDevelopmental Psychology knowledge
The study of human behaviour, performance, and psychological development from infancy to adolescence.
Recommended Books
5 books -
EssentialPsychological Counselling Methods knowledge
The various psychological counselling, training and coaching methods for persons of all ages, groups and organizations considering medical aspects.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialCrisis Intervention knowledge
Coping strategies in crisis cases which allow individuals to overcome their problems or fears and avoid psychological distress and breakdown.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialSchool Psychology knowledge
The study of human behaviour and performance with respect to various school processes, the learning needs of young individuals, and the psychological tests accompanying this field of study.
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EssentialAdolescent Psychological Development knowledge
Understand the developments and the development needs of children and young persons, observing the behaviour and the attachment relationships in order to detect developmental delay.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialPsychology knowledge
The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialApply Crisis Intervention skill
Respond methodologically to a disruption or breakdown in the normal or usual function of a person, family, group or community.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCommunicate With Youth skill
Use verbal and non-verbal communication and communicate through writing, electronic means, or drawing. Adapt your communication to children and young people`s age, needs, characteristics, abilities, preferences, and culture.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConsult Student's Support System skill
Communicate with multiple parties, including teachers and the family of the student, to discuss the student's behaviour or academic performance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCounsel Students skill
Provide assistance to students with educational, career-related or personal issues such as course selection, school adjustment en social integration, career exploration and planning, and family problems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialLiaise With Educational Staff skill
Communicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialLiaise With Educational Support Staff skill
Communicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issues …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialListen Actively skill
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Student's Behaviour skill
Supervise the student's social behaviour to discover anything unusual. Help solve any issues if necessary.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDiagnose Education Problems skill
Identify the nature of school-related problems, such as fears, concentration problems, or weaknesses in writing or reading.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInterpret Psychological Tests skill
Interpret psychological tests in order to obtain information on your patient`s intelligence, achievements, interests, and personality.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Therapeutic Progress skill
Monitor therapeutic progress and modify treatment according to each patient's condition.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Educational Testing skill
Carry out psychological and educational tests on the personal interests, personality, cognitive capabilities, or language or mathematic skills of a student.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTest For Behavioural Patterns skill
Discern patterns in the behaviour of individuals by using various tests in order to understand the causes of their behaviour.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTest For Emotional Patterns skill
Discern patterns in the emotions of individuals by using various tests in order to understand the causes of these emotions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 20 displayed)
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OptionalCommunication Disorders knowledge
The malfunction in a person's ability to comprehend, process and share concepts in various forms, such as verbal, non verbal or graphical during language, hearing, and speech communication processes.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalBehavioural Disorders knowledge
The often emotionally disruptive types of behaviour a child or adult can show, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalLearning Needs Analysis knowledge
The process of analysing a student's learning needs through observation and testing, potentially followed by the diagnosis of a learning disorder and a plan for additional support.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalEducation Law knowledge
The area of law and legislation that concerns education policies and the people working in the sector in an (inter)national context, such as teachers, students, and administrators.
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OptionalLearning Difficulties knowledge
The learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.
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OptionalAssessment Processes knowledge
Various evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, summative and self- assessment are …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalScientific Research Methodology knowledge
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
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OptionalConsultation knowledge
The theories, methods and concepts related to consultation and communication with clients.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalPsychiatric Disorders knowledge
The characteristics, causes and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAssist In The Organisation Of School Events skill
Provide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalGuarantee Students' Safety skill
Ensure all students falling under an instructor or other person's supervision are safe and accounted for. Follow safety precautions in the learning situation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOversee Extra-curricular Activities skill
Supervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPublish Academic Research skill
Conduct academic research, at a university or college or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSecondary School Procedures skill
The inner workings of a secondary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalShow Consideration For Student's Situation skill
Take students' personal backgrounds into consideration when teaching, showing empathy and respect.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSupport Children's Wellbeing skill
Provide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Research Proposals skill
Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCommunicate On The Youth's Well-being skill
Communicate on the youth's behaviour and welfare with parents, schools and other people in charge of the youth's upbringing and education.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConduct Psychological Research skill
Plan, supervise and undertake psychological research, writing papers to describe the research results.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Up To Date With Subject Knowledge skill
Gather the latest information on the know-how which is related to the subject of the training process.
Course recommendations coming soon.