Department of Educational Psychology

The science of helping people

We're a collaborative community invested in applying the science of learning, behavior, and development to professional practice in educational and mental health care fields. Graduates from the Department of Educational Psychology are compassionate and ethical clinical mental health counselors, school counselors, psychologists, behavioral health specialists, and community leaders who make an impact every day.

Our programs are recognized for their quality through national accreditation. NAU’s APA-accredited Combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD program is most notably the only APA Combined program in Arizona and one of just three in the entire country. The accreditations affirm that our programs meet rigorous national standards, ensuring that graduates are well prepared for licensure, certification, and professional practice.

Why study Psychology at NAU

At NAU, you’ll explore the science of learning, behavior, and development through collaborative work that blends theory and real-world practice. With undergraduate and graduate options in psychology, counseling, and human relations, students build a foundation that blends theory with hands-on practice.

Graduate programs in School Psychology, Combined Counseling/School Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and School Counseling combine strong theoretical training with field-based experience in schools, community mental health settings, and NAU’s counseling clinics located in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma. Flexible scheduling, including daytime and evening programs, makes these pathways accessible across statewide campuses. The Human and Community Relations M.A. program, offered fully online, helps develop expertise in human behavior, leadership, communication, and community engagement, preparing you for a career in education, business, nonprofit organizations, and public service.

As a transfer undergraduate student, the Applied Human Behavior 90-30 program gives you a flexible, affordable pathway to finishing your bachelor’s degree and preparing for careers in behavioral or mental health support, or for graduate study.

Learning outcomes

As an Educational Psychology major at NAU, you will:

• learn and demonstrate evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and treatment skills.
• demonstrate ethical behavior and a commitment to professional standards of practice, including multicultural awareness, knowledge, skills, and social justice principles.
• apply critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate existing research for use in psychological practice.
• graduates will demonstrate competent delivery of psychological services to diverse populations, particularly those located in the rural Southwest.
• explore the biological, cultural, developmental, and social influences on behavior and mental health; behavioral and emotional impacts on learning and life skills; and evidence-based strategies to promote social-emotional functioning and mental health.

Career readiness

Graduates of Educational Psychology are collaborative, responsive, and evidence-based practitioners. Supervised practica, counseling clinics, internships, and faculty-guided research projects ensure you graduate not just with credentials, but with the confidence and clarity to step into impactful careers. Whether working in K–12 schools, higher education, nonprofit agencies, or health care, you can be a change agent—prepared to foster resilience, promote learning, and champion well-being in diverse communities.

Dedicated support

Support here is personal, purposeful, and built to evolve with every student’s journey. Faculty mentorship, peer networks, licensure preparation, and professional seminars keep students connected and ready for what’s next. Workshops and guest lectures expand learning beyond the classroom, while student counseling clinics provide both hands-on training and a vital resource for the community. With a community invested in your success, you’ll find the encouragement, challenge, and resources to thrive.

Intentional mentorship

Learn from faculty who are not only experienced educators but also licensed professionals and active researchers, with extensive experience in their fields. With small class sizes and personalized advising, faculty create a learning environment that centers around curiosity, care, and professional growth. With a community committed to your development, you’ll find guidance and encouragement at every step.