How to Become an Educational Psychologist in South Africa: Qualifications, Roles and Salary 

This article explores what it takes to become an educational psychologist in South Africa and their aim to promote optimal learning and development. To do this we explore the expected prerequisites, training, registration and work opportunities within the field of educational psychology. As well as help you to understand the crucial role educational psychologists play in fostering learner’s well-being by addressing emotional, social and learning challenges.

What is an Educational Psychologist in South Africa

In South Africa, educational psychologists play a crucial role in assessing, diagnosing, and supporting individuals across various learning environments. They focus on optimizing emotional and social developmental as well as academic functioning while promoting mental health and psychological wellbeing.    

Educational psychologists are professionals trained to address a spectrum of challenges affecting individuals’ learning and/or developmental experiences. They operate under a scope of profession. This means that an Educational Psychologist can work across a range of settings if they are confident and competent in the rendering of their services. For example, at a school, hospital or business. From assessment and diagnosis to psychotherapy and counselling, they work holistically to enhance vocational development and support individuals’ overall wellbeing. Additionally, educational psychologists can be included in community interventions like gender-based violence (GBV) workshops or anti-bulling campaigns. 

What does an Educational Psychologist Do?

Educational psychologists delve into understanding how students learn and navigate through educational settings. They assess various factors influencing learning, including emotional, social, academic, and cognitive aspects, to identify and address barriers to learning. Collaborating with educators, parents, and other professionals, they devise strategies and interventions to optimize learning outcomes.   

Educational psychologists play a vital role beyond remedial therapy, encompassing diverse clinical procedures with adults, children, families, and groups. They uniquely contribute to addressing pressing issues related to learning and development while upholding core competencies within limited resource contexts. Instead of limiting definitions, to understand what they do it’s essential to embrace the expansive nature of learning and development.  

UNESCO’s Four Pillars of Learning, recognized globally, highlight learning as a multifaceted process that equips individuals. Specifically with cognitive tools, skills for societal participation, self-awareness, and exposure to principles of human rights and peace. This broad understanding resonates with South African educational psychology departments. It emphasises the holistic approach educational psychologists adopt to foster comprehensive learning and development.  

Where do Educational Psychologists Work

Educational psychologists can choose to work across a range of settings, from private practice, to corporate, NPO or the public sector. Where they work is up to them and what they’re passionate about as well as their specialisations. 

Within an education setting they could be employed by the educational department, the school or operate as a privately. Their work usually involves direct engagement with students through assessments, counselling and psychotherapy as well as indirect collaboration with stakeholders to implement effective educational programmes. They offer guidance on overcoming self-esteem challenges, empowerment, building resilience, teaching approaches, learning environments, and behaviour support strategies.  

Educational psychologists who work within a medical setting, such as at a hospital, often focus on how learning impacts the health and recovery of a patient. They also assess the impact of social and emotional factors to assist patients to better cope with their health and development challenges. This is done in collaboration with medical teams. Additionally, they assist in providing caregivers with strategies on how to best support a patient when they leave the hospital. 

NPOs use the expertise of educational psychologists for various interventions. For example, community-based interventions focused on addressing GBV, to support families in addressing emotional and behavioural challenges or to empower teachers. 

Some businesses employ educational psychologists to support staff well-being and development. Within a workplace setting they could be tasked with presenting self-awareness or communication workshops as well as offer career guidance. 

Who do Educational Psychologists Work With?

Educational psychologists typically work with children and young individuals. However, their scope of profession extends beyond adolescent as they collaborate with individuals of all ages. Educational psychologists work within a network of support to ensure a holistic approach when addressing educational and developmental challenges.  

This collaborative network includes communication with teachers, parents, caregivers and other professionals involved in the child’s wellbeing. For example, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. Practically, the result is that educational psychologists address a wide array of issues beyond academics. Their interventions encompass social, emotional, behavioural, and psychological aspects to provide comprehensive support and guidance.   

Educational Psychology Qualifications and Requirements  

There are entrance prerequisites   for the necessary academic qualifications to become an educational psychologist. Thereafter there are training, internship and registration requirements. Once practicing, educational psychologists need to continue their learning via continuing professional development (CPD) courses and workshops.

Prerequisites and Training

To become an educational psychologist in South Africa prospective professionals must complete a three-year bachelor’s degree in psychology. The admission requirements to study psychology are a National Senior Certificate or A Senior Certificate with specific subjects and grades or a portfolio of evidence. 

After completing a Bachelors of Psychology there are further psychologist education requirements. Students are required to do an honours degree and a master’s degree approved by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). A master’s may be completed part-time over two years or in one-year as a full-time student. It is advisable to check each institution’s undergraduate and honours requirements ahead of applying as they vary. For example, some require a B.Ed. with Psychologist at a third-year level or a Psychology Degree with a PGCE.  Others will accept a Psychology Undergraduate and Honours. 

Post-master’s degree, a 12-month full-time internship and successful completion of the National Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology are required for registration.  

Internship Training

A internship training programme is a supervised practical experience that is required to be completed after academic qualifications have been attained. This full-time internship training programme must be accredited by the HPCSA. Through it, aspiring practitioners must demonstrate sufficient experience and proficiency in their interventions.  

During their internship training there is an expectation for practitioners to adhere to professional and ethical standards set by the HPCSA. These are set out in the Guidelines for Good Practice in the Health Care Professions: Ethical and Professional Rules of the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA). 

HPCSA Registration Requirements

Registration with the HPCSA is mandatory for practicing as an educational psychologist in South Africa. There are six categories of psychologist registration. These are Clinical, Counselling, Educational, Industrial, Neuropsychology and Research Psychology. The specific requirements vary according to which of the six professional categories you want to register within. 

6 Educational Psychologist Requirements for Registration

1. An undergraduate degree in psychology. 
2. An Honours degree .
3. A Master’s Degree with a specialisation in Educational Psychology, which includes coursework, supervised practicum, and research.
4. A one-year accredited internship in an educational or developmental setting. 
5. Passing the HPCSA   Board Exam.

Salary and Job Demand in South Africa

There is a good market for Educational Psychologist in South Africa. Especially for those who are looking to work in schools and with children who have behavioural and learning difficulties. Educational Psychologists can work as private practitioners, for NPOS and are also employed by the government. Depending on the context of an educational psychologist job, they might work alone, alongside other professionals or as part of a team. Accordingly, the expected salary of an educational psychologist in South Africa can vary substantially.

An additional factor which can impact salary expectations is experience. Usually those with more experience and expertise earn higher salaries. However actual salary, even with experienced, can be limited by the context in which they practice. 

How to become an Educational Psychologist in South Africa

Embarking on a career in educational psychology demands dedication, compassion, and a commitment to ongoing learning. It’s a rewarding career whereby you can contribute significantly to nurturing the potential and wellbeing of individuals across diverse learning environments.   

SACAP offers a unique blend of academic rigor and practical experience through work integrated learning, fieldwork and internship modules. SACAP students are advantaged by smaller classes that are led by experienced professionals who are passionate about psychology and related fields and has over 27 years of offering internationally recognised accredited courses, including a range of undergraduate degrees in Applied Psychology. Learn more about starting your journey to becoming an Educational Psychologist here. 

This article was reviewed for accuracy by JP Moller, Educational Psychologist and lecturer at SACAP.