Program of Study

Prerequisites:
Minimum of four courses in academic psychology (upper division or graduate level) in the following or related areas: motivation, personality, learning, perception, cognition, development, physiological, and social psychology. In addition, it is expected that applicants will have had courses in education that include social, historical, and/or philosophical foundations. Prerequisites may be taken concurrently with the degree program, but will not be counted toward graduate degrees.

Core Requirements:

• EDUC 5716-3 Basic Statistical Methods (does not count within the 56 semester hours of course work required for the PhD degree)
• EDUC 5726-3 Introduction to Disciplined Inquiry
• EDUC 6318-3 Advanced Psychological Foundations of Education

Students earning a MA in Educational Psychology need to develop expertise (as determined by the student's advisor) in the areas of learning, development, and instruction. This can be accomplished in part by taking courses that focus on these topics.

Core Electives:
Nine (9) semester hours selected from the following categories:

• Learning - EDUC 8358: Seminar in Human Learning
• Development - EDUC 6328: Advanced Growth and Development or EDUC 8348: Seminar in Human Development
• Instruction - EDUC 5105: Teaching for Understanding or other course determined with advisor

Electives:

• Plan I - with a thesis - Six (6) semester hours selected with the advisor's approval; or
• Plan II - without a thesis - Twelve (12) semester hours selected with the advisor's approval.

Students can fulfill the electives requirement by taking courses from the School of Education or from other departments on campus (e.g., Psychology).

The following are courses offered through the School of Education that provide opportunities to learn about learning and teaching in schools:

• EDUC 5065: Curriculum Theories

If you have teaching experience, these courses may also be of interest:

• EDUC 5235: Language/Literacy across the Curriculum
• EDUC 5205: Elementary Math/Theory Methods
• EDUC 5315: Nature of Science and Science Education
• EDUC 5316: Nature of Social Studies
• EDUC 5317: Nature of Mathematics and Math Education

Each candidate is expected to participate, beyond course and program requirements, in the academic life of the university. Emphasis is on the candidate's growing independence in scholarship; annual evaluation of progress includes a review of general scholarly involvement as well as success in course work.

A written comprehensive examination must be completed during the student's last term of study for the MA degree, or near the completion of course work for the PhD. The examination will cover the content of all work in the program. Students tranferring course work from other institutiions to this program (up to nine semester hours may be taken at other approved institutions) are responsible for the same knowledge as those whose work has been taken entirely at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Criteria for Admission

Admissions decisions are based on multiple criteria, including undergraduate academic record, scores on examinations, letters of recommendation, personal statement, evidence of special accomplishments, and relevant past experience. Criteria are considered in the aggregate. Special strength in one area can compensate for below-expectation status on another criterion. Congruence between program and student goals is also an important consideration. Admission to all graduate programs in the School of Education is competitive; meeting minimal admission criteria does not guarantee admission. The program has affirmative action goals, and minority candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

Specific Criteria:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Undergraduate and/or graduate GPA of at least 3.0.
• GRE scores (MA applicants may substitute MAT scores).
• Foundation work in psychology appropriate for graduate study.
• Academic and professional interests that are consonant with those of a member of the EPSY faculty.
• Supportive academic and/or professional recommendations.

For more information, contact

Dr. Ben Kirshner, program co-chair, Education 215, 303-492-6122, e-mail: ben.kirshner@colorado.edu

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