Educational Psychology - Master's Degree (M.S.Ed.)
What contexts affect learning and development? How do developmental changes influence learning across the lifespan? What motivates students? What role does culture and socialization play in learning? How can modern theories of learning transform educational practice? If these questions fascinate you, our 33-semester-hour M.S.Ed. in Educational Psychology will promote your understanding and application of theory and knowledge regarding human development, learning and motivation. You'll choose from two different tracks; one for those who intend to continue their studies in a doctoral program, and one for those who want to boost their teaching effectiveness. You must successfully complete a master's thesis or project.
You need to submit:
- Your college transcripts (with GPA) and test scores (GRE or MAT)
- Three letters of recommendation from employers, supervisors or professors
- A two-page essay that describes your career goals and interests in educational psychology, the origins of those interests and how our program would advance those goals
During your program of study, you will:
- Interpret theories in a broad educational context
- Evaluate current educational research and determine which innovations to pursue
- Conduct and analyze studies of learning, development, or motivation practices
If you're headed for a doctoral program, your coursework emphasizes research design and methodology. You'll need to complete a thesis – an empirical research study in which you collect and analyze data or conduct secondary analysis on an existing data set.
If you're looking to improve your teaching effectiveness, your coursework emphasizes the application of research to educational practice. You'll complete a cumulative project, which can take a variety of forms including action research, program evaluation, assessment development, a theoretical paper or another project approved by your advisor.
Our mission is to prepare you to become a leader in your chosen profession through programs of study grounded in engaged learning experiences. With a programmatic focus on human development, learning and motivation in multiple contexts, our award-winning teachers and scholars bring core expertise in areas including adolescence, parenting, language development and cross-cultural research. Your courses will relate to learning and developmental processes within educational settings—schools, family, work and neighborhoods, for example. You can enroll part-time or full-time; all courses are offered evenings or weekends.
- EPS 501 Psychological Foundations of Education (3)
- EPS 506 Theories and Research in Child Behavior and Development (3)
- EPS 508 Theories and Research in Adolescent Behavior and Development (3)
- EPS 510 Adult Educational Psychology (3)
- EPS 512 Teacher, Family and Community: Relationships and Resources (3)
- EPS 518 Motivation in the Classroom (3)
- EPS 523 Application of Psychological Research to Educational Practice (3)
- EPS 524 Ethnographies in Human Development and Learning within Educational Settings (3)
- EPS 679 Cultural Perspectives on Human Development (3)
- EPS 701 Professional Practices in Educational Psychology (3)
- EPS 705 Advanced Seminar in Child Development (3)
- EPS 706 Research in Educational Settings (3)
- EPS 708 Advanced Research Seminar in Adolescent Development (3)
- EPS 710 Seminar in Lifespan Human Development (3)
- EPS 713 Advanced Educational Psychology (3)
- EPS 718 Research Seminar in Motivation and Education (3)
- EPS 723 Design and Interperptation of Research in Human Development and Learning in Educational Settings (3)
- EPS 739 Fieldwork Methods in Educational Research (3)
- EPS 770X Writing for Publication in Educational Psychology and Special Education (3)
Contact Us
Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations
Graham Hall 223
815-753-4404
lepf@niu.edu
