Educational psychologists are also qualified teachers with significant teaching experience, usually spanning both mainstream and special schools. An educational psychologist has undertaken a minimum of seven years training. This usually includes a first degree in psychology, at least two years as a qualified teacher, and postgraduate training in educational psychology at Master's degree level.

As part of their postgraduate training, educational psychologists study normal child development, the psychology of teaching and learning, and the psychological aspects of teaching children with special educational needs; they also study how groups function, and how people communicate and maintain relationships. They also learn about assessment, solving problems, training others, counselling and research methods.