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.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet both the University and departmental admission requirements to be considered for the program.
University of Kansas Graduate Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology and Research Application Requirements:
- A completed graduate application.
- Application fee.
- Official transcripts of all degree-granting post-secondary institutions you have attended and an official transcript for each degree earned.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can provide a thorough evaluation of one's abilities at the graduate level.
Personal statement addressing the following:
- Why you are interested in this degree program, including what skills, competencies, and experiences you hope to gain in the program;
- Your career goals and how this degree program relates to your career goals (that is, how you see this program preparing you to meet your career objectives);
- Prior relevant educational, work, and research experiences; and
- One research topic or issue that you would like to pursue in this program, including the faculty member with whom you would like to work, if known.
- Current resume or CV
- Writing sample of your best academic work.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
The School of Education and Human Sciences (SOEHS) minimal requirements for doctoral programs are
- a minimum 36 credit hour Major,
- a 3 credit hour SOEHS core seminar (EDUC 800, an interdisciplinary examination of scholarship in education as preparation for careers in research), and
- 12 credit hours of coursework in Research Skills.
The major coursework must include at least 2 courses from a department or departments other than EPSY (e.g., PSYC, ELPS, ABSC), not including EDUC 800. Courses used to fulfill the research skills requirement cannot be used to fulfill the requirement of credit hours outside of the home department.
Area of Focus
Students in the Ph.D. degree program select a concentration—Development & Learning (D&L) or Research, Evaluation, Methods, and Statistics (REMS)—on which to focus their studies.
Concentration in Development & Learning
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| EDUC 800 | Education as a Field of Scholarship | 3 |
| EPSY 705 | Human Development through the Lifespan | 3 |
| EPSY 715 | Understanding Research in Education | 3 |
| EPSY 800 | Development during Youth and Adulthood | 3 |
| EPSY 802 | Child Development | 3 |
| EPSY 807 | Theories and Research in Human Learning | 3 |
| EPSY 818 | Social Development | 3 |
| EPSY 836 | Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience in Education | 3 |
| EPSY 837 | The Neuroscience of Motivation and Emotional Behaviors | 3 |
| 3 |
| EPSY 710 | Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| EPSY 711 | Lab for Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 1 |
| EPSY 810 | Regression and ANOVA: General Linear Models | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 9 |
| |
| |
| Advanced Social Psychology: Theory, Research, and Professional Applications | |
| Seminar in: _____ (multiple can count if on different topics) | |
| Cognitive Development | |
| |
| |
| Total Hours | 52 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| EDUC 800 | Education as a Field of Scholarship | 3 |
| EPSY 800 | Development during Youth and Adulthood | 3 |
| EPSY 802 | Child Development | 3 |
| EPSY 807 | Theories and Research in Human Learning | 3 |
| EPSY 818 | Social Development | 3 |
| EPSY 836 | Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience in Education | 3 |
| EPSY 837 | The Neuroscience of Motivation and Emotional Behaviors | 3 |
| 3 |
| EPSY 810 | Regression and ANOVA: General Linear Models | 3 |
| EPSY 822 | Educational Scales, Questionnaires, and Sampling | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| |
| |
| |
| Advanced Social Psychology: Theory, Research, and Professional Applications | |
| Seminar in: _____ (multiple can count if on different topics) | |
| Cognitive Development | |
| |
| |
| Total Hours | 48 |
Comprehensive Exam
All D&L Ph.D. students must successfully pass their comprehensive exams prior to starting their dissertation. The exam consists of writing a qualifying paper and an oral exam.
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.
Research, Evaluation, Methods, and Statistics Concentration Requirements
Program Core Course Requirements
All REMS Ph.D. 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 802 | Child Development | 3 |
| EPSY 818 | Social Development | 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 |
| Total Hours | 36 |
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 9 courses (27 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.
Comprehensive Exam
All REMS Ph.D. students must successfully pass their comprehensive exams prior to starting their dissertation.
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.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Follow ethical guidelines for work in the field.
- Engage in effective written communication for scholarly audiences.
- Conduct quantitative analyses of data.
