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.

1

Link opens new window.

Program Requirements

The master's in educational psychology (MEd) has wide applicability and can be obtained in three ways:

  1. MEd in educational psychology general track;
  2. MEd in educational psychology with customizable specializations; or
  3. 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.

1

Link opens new window.

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 704Introduction to Educational Statistics3
CESP 728Theories of Human Development3
CLES 801Introduction to Educational Research3
CESP 820Learning Theory and Instruction3
CESP 823Experimental Design in Educational Research3
CESP 831Social Psychology for Educational and Helping Professions3
CESP 860Seminar in Research Problems1
CESP 875Master's Thesis2
CESP 876Master's Thesis2
Electives - select an additional 9 credit hours of elective coursework9
Total Credit Hours32

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 704Introduction to Educational Statistics3
CESP 728Theories of Human Development3
CLES 801Introduction to Educational Research3
CESP 820Learning Theory and Instruction3
CESP 823Experimental Design in Educational Research3
CESP 831Social Psychology for Educational and Helping Professions3
Electives - select an additional 15 credit hours of elective coursework15
Total Credit Hours33

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 704Introduction to Educational Statistics3
CESP 728Theories of Human Development3
CLES 801Introduction to Educational Research3
CESP 820Learning Theory and Instruction3
CESP 823Experimental Design in Educational Research3
CESP 831Social Psychology for Educational and Helping Professions3
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 Hours33

Sample Customizable Track: Diversity and Advocacy

Course Title Hours
CESP 704Introduction to Educational Statistics3
CESP 728Theories of Human Development3
CLES 801Introduction to Educational Research3
CESP 820Learning Theory and Instruction3
CESP 823Experimental Design in Educational Research3
CESP 831Social Psychology for Educational and Helping Professions3
Electives15
Counseling Theory
Multicultural Issues
Multicultural Education
Families and Family Systems
Special Studies
Total Credit Hours33

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 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredit 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 Hours9
Spring Semester
CLES 878 Foundations of Student Affairs 2
CESP 811 Principles of Measurement and Program Evaluation 3
 Credit Hours5
Second Year
Summer Semester
CLES 875 Practicum in Higher Education 3
 Credit Hours3
Fall Semester
CLES 872 Finance and Human Resources in Colleges and Universities 3
CLES 880 Practitioner Wellness and Effectiveness 3
 Credit Hours6
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 Hours7
 Total Credit Hours30
1

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.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Spring SemesterCredit Hours
CLES 882 Crisis Management and Prevention in Higher Education 3
 Credit Hours3
 Total Credit Hours3
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.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Spring SemesterCredit Hours
CLES 879 Administration and Governance in Higher Education 3
 Credit Hours3
Second Year
Fall Semester
CLES 881 Leadership in Higher Education 3
 Credit Hours3
 Total Credit Hours6

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.