Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology and Research

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).

Overview of Concentrations

• Development & Learning (D&L): 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.
• Research, Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics (REMS): Prepares students for careers in educational measurement and quantitative research methods.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the program, applicants must meet both the University and departmental admission requirements.

• 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.
• 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 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:
    1. Why you are interested in this degree program.
    2. Your career goals and how this degree program relates to your career goals.
    3. Prior relevant educational, work, and research experiences.
    4. One research topic or issue that you would like to pursue in this program.
  • Current resume or CV.
  • Writing sample of your best academic work.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

• School of Education and Human Sciences (SOEHS) Minimal Requirements:
  • A minimum 36 credit hour Major.
  • A 3 credit hour SOEHS core seminar (EDUC 800).
  • 12 credit hours of coursework in Research Skills.
• 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.

Concentration in Development & Learning

• Course List:
  • Human Development and Learning Core:
    • EDUC 800: Education as a Field of Scholarship.
    • EPSY 705: Human Development through the Lifespan.
    • EPSY 715: Understanding Research in Education.
    • EPSY 800: Development during Youth and Adulthood.
    • EPSY 802: Child Development.
    • EPSY 807: Theories and Research in Human Learning.
    • EPSY 818: Social Development.
    • EPSY 836: Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience in Education.
    • EPSY 837: The Neuroscience of Motivation and Emotional Behaviors.
  • Research Skills:
    • EPSY 710: Introduction to Statistical Analysis.
    • EPSY 711: Lab for Introduction to Statistical Analysis.
    • EPSY 810: Regression and ANOVA: General Linear Models.
    • A course in qualitative methods (e.g., ELPS 871, C&T 808).
    • A course in measurement (e.g., EPSY 725, EPSY 822).
  • Specialization Courses / Electives: 9 hours.
• Total Hours: 52 hours for students entering without a master’s degree, 48 hours for students entering with a master’s degree.

Concentration in Research, Evaluation, Methods, and Statistics

• Program Core Course Requirements:
  • Learning course examples:
    • EPSY 807: Theories and Research in Human Learning.
  • Applied Human Development course examples:
    • EPSY 800: Development during Youth and Adulthood.
    • EPSY 802: Child Development.
    • EPSY 818: Social Development.
  • Research & Evaluation course examples:
    • EPSY 812: Meta-Analysis.
    • EPSY 816: Evaluating School Programs.
    • EPSY 902: Research Methodology in Education.
  • Measurement & Assessment course examples:
    • EPSY 822: Educational Scales, Questionnaires, and Sampling.
    • EPSY 921: Advanced Measurement Theory and Practice.
    • EPSY 922: Introduction to Item Response Theory.
  • Statistics course examples:
    • EPSY 810: Regression and ANOVA: General Linear Models.
    • EPSY 926: Hierarchical Linear Modeling.
• School of Education Core Course Requirements:
  • EDUC 800: Education as a Field of Scholarship.
• Specialization Courses: 9 courses (27 credit hours) in addition to the program and school core requirements.

Comprehensive Exam

• All 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.

Learning Outcomes

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.