Counselors can be trained in psychology or education programs in colleges or education schools and receive a doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D) or a master's degree in counseling. Counselors help people cope in their everyday lives with problems related to work, careers, family and interpersonal relationships. Counselors assist clients to use their strengths and abilities to overcome personal difficulties. Counselors, particularly those with doctoral degrees, conduct research on factors that influence people's behavior and emotions.
Educational psychologists receive doctorates from psychology or education programs (or a combination of the two) and primarily serve as teachers, researchers and theorists studying the factors affecting teaching and learning in educational settings. These psychologists conduct research on learning in schools, teaching effectiveness, motivation and ability of students and curriculum development. Educational psychologists are concerned with educational interventions, special education, instruction and classroom management.
School psychologists and school counselors apply the information educational psychologists provide in a school environment. A counselor can have a doctorate or master's degree. She works in public or private schools where she evaluates and counsels students, provides intervention, develops prevention programs and consults with parents and teachers on effective methods of dealing with a specific student.
Educational and counseling psychologists conduct scientific research that school psychologists apply in schools and classrooms. An educational and counseling psychologist studies people in different stages of development over a range of ages and from different races, religions and sexual orientations. They study how a person's individual psychological and physical differences and aspects of his social and cultural environment impact behavior and coping. They develop theories and interventions for effective teaching and learning and for counseling effectively.
A school counselor or school psychologist works primarily in schools with students, but he can also teach in universities. A counselor from psychology and education programs treats clients with problems related to marriage, addiction and careers. He works in hospitals, businesses, community health centers, mental health clinics and other agencies. An educational psychologist works primarily in research institutions and universities where he conducts research and teaches.