Ph.D. in Learning and Developmental Science – Specialization in Educational Psychology
Degree Requirements (90 cr.)
Major Requirements (36 cr.)
- Required Course (3 cr.)
All doctoral students are required to take the following course:- EDUC-P 601 Educational and Historical Foundations of Psychology (3 cr.)
Students are expected to acquire basic knowledge in the Core Areas of Learning and Developmental Sciences listed below by taking at least one three-credit course from each area below. Basic knowledge in these spheres is tested in qualifying examinations.
- Human Development (3 cr.)
Select at least one course from the following:- EDUC-P 513 Gerontology: Multidisciplinary Perspectives (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 514 Life Span Development: Birth to Death (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 515 Child Development (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 516 Adolescent Development (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 517 Adult Development and Aging (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 518 Social Aspects of Aging (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 622 Social Development (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 623 Child Development (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 624 The Biology of Behavior: Implications for Educational & Clinical Practice (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 625 Family Processes (3 cr.)
- Learning (3 cr.)
Select at least one course from the following:- EDUC-P 540 Learning and Cognition in Education (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 544 Applied Cognition and Learning Strategies (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 545 Educational Motivation (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 566 Social Psychology in Education (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 590 Independent Study or Research in Educational Psychology (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 600 Topical Seminar in Learning, Cognition & Instruction (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 640 Thinking and Learning in Social Contexts (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 650 Topical Seminar in Educational Psychology (3 cr.)
- Foundations in Education (9 cr.)
Doctoral students are required to take courses outside their major and minor areas to obtain alternative theoretical perspectives to their studies. These courses may be taken in areas such as the history, philosophy or sociology of education, curriculum theory, and other social sciences. Students are allowed to take no more than six credits in the same area. - Other Courses in the Major (18 cr.)
In addition to the 18 hours required above the student will work with their advisor to select 18 additional hours to meet the minimum needed.
Inquiry Core Requirements (15 cr.)
The Inquiry component emphasizes methodological skills which provide a basis for conducting original research. The following three courses are required.
- EDUC-Y 502 Intermediate Statistics Applied to Education (3 cr.)
- EDUC-Y 521 Methodological Approaches to Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
- EDUC-Y 527 Educational Assessment and Psychological Assessment (3 cr.)
Select two courses from the following:
- EDUC-H 510 Foundations of Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
- EDUC-H 601 Historical Inquiry in Education (3 cr.)
- EDUC-Y 535 Evaluation Models and Techniques (3 cr.)
- EDUC-Y 603 Statistical Design of Educational Research (3 cr.)*
- EDUC-Y 604 Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research (3 cr.)*
- EDUC-Y 611 Qualitative Inquiry in Education (3 cr.)
- EDUC-Y 617 Psychometric Theory (3 cr.)
- EDUC-Y 627 Seminar in Educational and Psychological Measurement I (3 cr.)
- EDUC-Y 635 Methodology of Educational Evaluation (3 cr.)
- EDUC-Y 750 Seminar in Inquiry Methodology (3 cr.)
* Must be taken concurrently with EDUC-Y 500
Minor Requirements (12 cr.)
The minor must have integrity in its own right and must complement the major. The minor field must demonstrate wholeness within itself and contribute to the student's overall doctoral program. Minors are generally formulated within a single program area. However, an interdisciplinary or individualized minor is also possible. Interdisciplinary or individualized minors require a written description of the minor's underlying theme along with a rationale for each course's contribution to that theme through the Minor Justification e-doc. This form should be submitted and approved by the Graduate Studies Office before enrolling in the minor courses.
Students will select a minor field of study to complement their major in educational psychology. The minor serves to develop students’ substantive area of interest. Major area courses may not be used in the minor.
Elective Requirements
Elective courses are chosen to fill out the major and to contribute to the integrity of the student’s program. These courses are taken in the student’s area of interest, within or outside the department, to fulfill the total program requirement of 90 credit hours.
Early Inquiry Experience
To satisfy the program requirements, the student must carry out an independent research project as an early inquiry experience. The resulting research report must be read and approved by the major members of the program of studies committee. This project must be completed before advancing to candidacy and is expected to be completed in the first three years. A master’s thesis can be considered but must meet the same approval process.
Dissertation Requirements (15 cr.)
- EDUC-P 795 Dissertation Proposal Preparation (3 cr.)
- EDUC-P 799 Doctoral Thesis in Educational Psychology (12 cr.)