The Educational Psychology and Research (EPR) program includes instruction within two specialized areas of emphasis referred to as concentrations: Development & Learning (D&L) and Research, Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics (REMS).
The Development & Learning concentration prepares students for work as research scientists in educational psychology. Graduates work in a variety of settings, but most commonly seek faculty positions in higher education. The program includes coursework in the areas of human development (with a primary focus on child or adolescent development), learning and cognition, and educational research methods, as well as completion of a data-driven dissertation. Doctoral students develop their own research agenda around a relevant development and learning topic in collaboration with faculty. Research training includes presenting research at national conferences and publishing research in scientific journals. Teaching at the University is also an integral part of our doctoral education. The Ph.D. is typically completed in 3-4 years of full-time study beyond the Master's degree.
The Research, Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics concentration prepares students for careers in educational measurement and quantitative research methods. The Ph.D. program includes coursework in research methods, psychometrics, and statistical analysis. Students typically complete the Ph.D. in 3-4 years of full-time study.
Opportunities are available each year for students to be involved in basic and applied educational research.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
Area of Focus
Students in the Ph.D. degree program select a concentration—D&L or REMS—on which to focus their studies.
Program Core Course Requirements
All doctoral students must enroll in at least one course at or above the 800 level in each of the following program core areas. Examples of courses commonly chosen to meet these requirements are shown below.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| EPSY 807 | Theories and Research in Human Learning | 3 |
| |
| EPSY 800 | Development during Youth and Adulthood | 3 |
| |
| EPSY 812 | Meta-Analysis | 3 |
| EPSY 816 | Evaluating School Programs | 3 |
| EPSY 902 | Research Methodology in Education | 3 |
| |
| EPSY 822 | Educational Scales, Questionnaires, and Sampling | 3 |
| EPSY 921 | Advanced Measurement Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EPSY 922 | Introduction to Item Response Theory | 3 |
| |
| EPSY 810 | Regression and ANOVA: General Linear Models | 3 |
| EPSY 926 | Hierarchical Linear Modeling | 3 |
School of Education Core Course Requirements
Under School of Education and Human Sciences policy, all Ph.D. students must complete “EDUC 800: Education as a Field of Scholarship.” This course must be taken during the first year of a student’s doctoral program.
Specialization Courses
All students must complete 8 courses (24 credit hours) in addition to the program and school core requirements. These “specialization courses” should complement a student’s growing research focus and agenda. At least two of the 8 courses must be taken from academic units other than EPSY. Students consult with their advisers to identify courses that support their major area of study.
Dissertation Credit Hours
During the dissertation period, students must be enrolled continuously with a minimum of at least 6 credit hours each semester (excluding summers), until the student either graduates or reaches 18 credit hours post comprehensive exams. Students may begin enrollment in dissertation hours the semester in which they pass the oral comprehensive exam.
For further Ph.D requirements please visit the Graduate Regulations section of the catalog.
