MS, Educational Psychology

The Department of Educational Psychology offers a variety of degrees associated with learning and cognition, human development, instructional design, and individual differences. Candidates should exhibit an orientation toward fostering human development, supporting relationships, and advancing educational and societal improvements. Faculty admissions committees within each degree and emphasis program carefully review applicants’ professional references, prior experiences, selected test scores, and career goals. Finalists are interviewed by appropriate groups of faculty members and formal admission to a degree program, area of emphasis, or certification program is contingent upon the admissions committee’s evalutation regarding an applicant’s total fitness in the department and promise as a professional.

The on-campus master’s program in Educational Psychology, emphasizing Research, Measurement and Statistics (RMS), focuses on a broad range of quantitative and methodological issues, including multivariate statistics, item response theory, hierarchical linear modeling, structural equation modeling, time series analysis, growth modeling, and Monte Carlo study.

RMS faculty are leading scholars who have earned international recognition. The recently established Summer Statistics Workshops attract students and faculty from across the state and the nation. RMS faculty not only engage in the development and application of cutting-edge quantitative research methods, but they are also committed to training the next generation of methodologists. Graduates with this specialization are in demand for positions in higher education and industry-based jobs in measurement, evaluation, and research. 

The department offers MS degrees in Bilingual/ESL Education, Educational Psychology, and Special Education; each of these degrees requires successful completion of a thesis in addition to coursework. Students pursuing an MS in Educational Psychology pursue a program of study in either:
    (a) Developmental Sciences or 
    (b) Research, Measurement, and Statistics.

The online master’s degree in Special Education is intended for individuals with a solid background in education, behavior, disability, or related fields.
A teaching certificate is not required, but teaching or clinical experience working with individuals with disabilities is suggested. Interested individuals should have a commitment to work in the field or pursue additional graduate training after receiving a degree.
Candidates should be self-motivated and be abe to manage the rigor of a 36-credit hour, two-year fully online master’s program.