MEd in Educational Psychology
The master's in educational psychology (MEd) has wide applicability. This degree can be obtained in its generalized track, in the form of a customizable specialization, or in the Higher Education Student Affairs (HESA) nonthesis track. The customizable specialization allows students to collaborate with their academic advisor to determine electives that meet the student's needs and interests with emphasis on specific skills and knowledge.
The following customizable specializations are among the options available:
- Learning and memory;
- Behavioral management and motivation;
- Diversity and advocacy;
- Program evaluation;
- Professional development;
- Institutional and industrial consultation;
- Social psychology and leadership skills;
- School psychology foundations - for those who wish to pursue a career in school psychology; and
- Doctoral foundations - prepares students to move on to a doctoral program.
Admission
To be considered for admission to the MEd in educational psychology, students must provide:
- Their grade point average (GPA);
- Evidence of academic competence;
- A resume;
- Names and contact information for two people to serve as professional references;
- A statement of professional goals; and
- A statement of research interests.
Evidence of academic competence can be provided in one of the following ways:
- GPA of 3.000 or higher in all coursework;
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores of at least 150 for each GRE subsection (verbal and quantitative) and a GRE writing assessment score of 4.0 or higher; or
- Miller Analogies Test equal to the national mean score at the time of taking the exam (400).
Applications for admission to the MEd in educational psychology program are reviewed throughout the year as they become completed. Candidates who apply are considered in the order in which their applications are completed until all openings are filled.
Apply online at the WSU application portal1.
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Program Requirements
The master's in educational psychology (MEd) has wide applicability and can be obtained in three ways:
- MEd in educational psychology general track;
- MEd in educational psychology with customizable specializations; or
- MEd in educational psychology - higher education/student affairs track (30-credit-hour nonthesis).
Background Check
Upon admission and prior to their first semester, all applicants admitted to this program must clear a criminal background check. There are two reasons for this requirement. First, it is part of the university’s due diligence before placing students in field settings. Second, the check may alert applicants or students to issues that may subsequently affect their ability to work in their chosen field. In instances when a person’s criminal history raises reasonable concerns that should be cleared to engage in the field experiences and/or subsequently obtain licensure/endorsement, WSU may take a range of actions, including rescission of admission or dismissal from the program, depending on the nature of the concern.
For information regarding this requirement, visit: Advanced Programs1.
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1. MEd in Educational Psychology General Track - Program Requirements
The MEd in educational psychology may be earned as a thesis or nonthesis option.
Educational Psychology Courses (32-credit-hour thesis option)
The thesis option requires 32 credit hours of coursework plus an oral examination over the thesis.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CESP 704 | Introduction to Educational Statistics | 3 |
| CESP 728 | Theories of Human Development | 3 |
| CLES 801 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3 |
| CESP 820 | Learning Theory and Instruction | 3 |
| CESP 823 | Experimental Design in Educational Research | 3 |
| CESP 831 | Social Psychology for Educational and Helping Professions | 3 |
| CESP 860 | Seminar in Research Problems | 1 |
| CESP 875 | Master's Thesis | 2 |
| CESP 876 | Master's Thesis | 2 |
| Electives - select an additional 9 credit hours of elective coursework | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
Educational Psychology Courses (33-credit-hour nonthesis option)
The nonthesis option requires 33 credit hours of coursework and a written comprehensive examination.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CESP 704 | Introduction to Educational Statistics | 3 |
| CESP 728 | Theories of Human Development | 3 |
| CLES 801 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3 |
| CESP 820 | Learning Theory and Instruction | 3 |
| CESP 823 | Experimental Design in Educational Research | 3 |
| CESP 831 | Social Psychology for Educational and Helping Professions | 3 |
| Electives - select an additional 15 credit hours of elective coursework | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
2. MEd in Educational Psychology with Customizable Specializations
The customizable specializations allow students to collaborate with their academic advisor to determine electives that meet the student's needs and interests with emphasis on specific skills and knowledge.
The following specializations are among the options available:
- Learning and Memory
- Behavioral Management and Motivation
- Diversity and Advocacy
- Program Evaluation
- Professional Development
- Institutional and Industrial Consultation
- Social Psychology and Leadership Skills
- School Psychology Foundations - for those who wish to pursue a career in school psychology
- Doctoral Foundations - prepares students to move on to a doctoral program
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CESP 704 | Introduction to Educational Statistics | 3 |
| CESP 728 | Theories of Human Development | 3 |
| CLES 801 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3 |
| CESP 820 | Learning Theory and Instruction | 3 |
| CESP 823 | Experimental Design in Educational Research | 3 |
| CESP 831 | Social Psychology for Educational and Helping Professions | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Elective Credits - with the guidance of an academic advisor, select 15 credit hours of additional elective coursework. Includes 700- and 800-level courses in one or more related disciplines. Some potential disciplines include educational psychology, counseling, school psychology, curriculum and instruction, communication science and disorders, aging studies, and psychology. | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
Sample Customizable Track: Diversity and Advocacy
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CESP 704 | Introduction to Educational Statistics | 3 |
| CESP 728 | Theories of Human Development | 3 |
| CLES 801 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3 |
| CESP 820 | Learning Theory and Instruction | 3 |
| CESP 823 | Experimental Design in Educational Research | 3 |
| CESP 831 | Social Psychology for Educational and Helping Professions | 3 |
| Electives | 15 | |
| Counseling Theory | ||
| Multicultural Issues | ||
| Multicultural Education | ||
| Families and Family Systems | ||
| Special Studies | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
3. Educational Psychology MEd – Higher Education/Student Affairs Track Requirements
The MEd in educational psychology track in higher education/student affairs does not require a thesis and requires 30 credit hours of coursework. The total program credit hours is 30, however students can get an emphasis in the program which would raise the credit hours to 36. It is not a requirement, but rather offers students the option to customize their program.
Course Sequence for the HESA Program
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| CLES 871 | Foundations of Higher Education | 3 |
| CLES 873 | College Student Development and the Campus Environment | 3 |
| CLES 801 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CLES 878 | Foundations of Student Affairs | 2 |
| CESP 811 | Principles of Measurement and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 5 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| CLES 875 | Practicum in Higher Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| CLES 872 | Finance and Human Resources in Colleges and Universities | 3 |
| CLES 880 | Practitioner Wellness and Effectiveness | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CLES 874 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Higher Education 1 | 2 |
| CLES 876 | Social Justice Issues in Higher Education | 3 |
| CLES 877 | Capstone: Current Issues in Higher Education and Student Affairs | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
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Students in the HESA program must take CLES 874 Legal and Ethical Issues in Higher Education for (2) credit hours.
HESA Customizable Track
Student Affairs Practitioner Wellness and Effectiveness
Students would need to take these additional courses in addition to the required courses for the HESA program to be able to receive this emphasis.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Credit Hours | |
| CLES 882 | Crisis Management and Prevention in Higher Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 3 | |
Administration and Leadership
Students would need to take these additional courses in addition to the required courses for the HESA program to be able to receive this emphasis.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Credit Hours | |
| CLES 879 | Administration and Governance in Higher Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CLES 881 | Leadership in Higher Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Applied Learning
Students in the educational psychology (MEd) program are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate from this program. The requirement for all students, with the exception of students in the higher education/student affairs track, can be met by conducting a case study research in CESP 728. The case study is guided and supervised by the educational psychology faculty and provides students with the opportunity to observe, assess and interact with a child/adolescent and the child's family in the real world. Students in the higher education/student affairs track are required to complete a practicum, CLES 875.