Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology

Program Overview

The PhD in Educational Psychology is a research-based program that prepares students to conduct informed scientific inquiry in areas of human behavior, cognition, and development related to educational experiences in homes, schools, group settings, and workplaces.

Program of Study

Core Courses

• One course in each of five of the following core subjects:
  • Development
  • Learning
  • Individual Differences and Special Education
  • Research Methods
  • Measurement and Evaluation
  • Statistics

Doctoral Courses

• Advanced Educational Psychology: Learning and Instruction
• Advanced Developmental Psychology
• Statistical Methods II
• Educational and Psychological Measurement
• Educational Research and Design
• Scholarly Writing

Electives

• Five advanced courses that support students' goals in any of the core subject areas.

Research Experience

• As a doctoral student at UAlbany, students get first-hand experience conducting scientific inquiry under the guidance of educational psychology research faculty.
• During their course of study, students may be involved in any or all phases of a research project, from problem identification to data analysis to publication of findings.

Professional Apprenticeship

• To complete the PhD program, students also complete two semesters of a professional apprenticeship directly related to their career goals.
• This advanced training period can provide useful training in undergraduate instruction.

Research Tool

• Three options are available for fulfilling the research tool requirement.

Pre-Dissertation Research

• The pre-dissertation research requirement ensures that students engage in the research process prior to the initiation of their dissertation.
• Students will have opportunities to participate in research activities in collaboration with or supervised by faculty mentors.

Comprehensive Exam

• The doctoral exam addresses learning, development, statistics, measurement, and research methods.

Dissertation

• Complete an original research project that contributes to the body of knowledge of educational psychology.

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

• Departmental Assistantship Consideration:
  • Fall: January 15
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available
• No Departmental Assistantship Consideration:
  • Fall: January 15
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available

Required Application Materials

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of goals
• Optional: Official GRE scores

Student Learning Objectives

• Students will understand current theory and research in human development, learning, research design, measurement, and statistical analysis.
• Students will be able to demonstrate that they can read and write critically and analytically about theory, research, and practice.
• Students will be able to design and carry out rigorous and theoretically well-grounded empirical research that addresses important educational and developmental issues and problems.
• Students will learn how to make significant contributions to the field through professional presentations in national and international forums and conferences, and through publications in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
• Students will demonstrate effective teaching skills in higher education, or competence in other relevant professional contexts.