Educational psychologist?

[Snard4]

I’m looking to change careers from teaching to something else.

Is anyone out there an Ed psych? Am I being wildly unrealistic to think I could do a psychology degree with kids?! Is it worth it?

Any advice most welcome! Thanks!

I am an Ed psych, I didn't do it like that but know a fair few colleagues who have completed part time study to gain their psychology degree / conversion course whilst being a parent / working before applying for professional training. Not easy but I guess that goes for retraining for anything once you're established and in the flow of family life. I did my psychology degree before children, but was mum of a young child when I did the ed psych course. Hard work but worth it in my opinion.

Thank you!! Do you enjoy the job?

I would have to do an access course as my first degree/pgce aren’t science based. I’m quite excited about it 😊

I do enjoy it, I'm not in England so am not having to deal with the massive issues around statutory work etc. but it's undoubtedly busier and overall you are working in a stressed system due to the current societal issues and impact of years of austerity. Having said that, it's a varied, interesting and stimulating job, you never get bored with it and I love the different ways we can work - not just casework but research, strategic development, delivering training etc. If you go on twitter (x I guess!) there are a fair few EPs posting about their work so it's another good way to find out more about the job. We're generally a friendly lot who are enthusiastic about talking to potential EPs like yourself too so don't by shying about making contact and asking questions.

That’s so lovely, thank you! I’ll get onto X. 😊

Go for it but be aware of the training involved, you don't just do a psychology degree and then be an educational psychologist. There is also a lot of competition as there are a lot of psychology graduates out there. And you need to consider how you are going to fund it all.

If you have a non-psychology undergrad degree you can do a psychology conversion masters to gain eligibility to apply for the professional doctorate. The conversion can be done part time over 2 years or full time in a year.

Competition for doctorate places is probably the biggest hurdle for most. The application process is annual, and it's extremely competitive.

This group is an amazing source of information re the route to qualification: www.facebook.com/share/XgtR2r1Z39qjbi22/?mibextid=K35XfP