What is a Masters in Educational Psychology?
A Masters in Educational Psychology is a degree program that focuses on the mental processes of learning. Students study how children learn at different ages and how they cognition develops. Graduate students in educational psychology may also study how gifted learners process information and how developmentally disabled students learn. An educational psychology graduate degree may also incorporate the study of the different teaching methods and how students respond to these methods.
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What Are the Requirements for a Masters in Educational Psychology?
The admissions requirements for a Masters in Educational Psychology program are similar to the admissions requirements for other master’s degree programs. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a good GPA. Most programs require an undergraduate GPA of around 3.5, although requirements do vary. Most programs also require students to submit high GRE scores. Once in the program, students must successfully complete one to two years of coursework. Some programs require a final thesis project, which is generally a long research paper.
What Can Graduates Do With a Masters in Educational Psychology?
There are two main paths that graduates of a Masters in Educational Psychology program can follow. Many graduates pursue a doctoral degree in the field. After receiving their Ph.D., many will pursue research work or teach at the university level (or both). Otherwise, many graduates pursue careers as K-12 educators. Some teach in special programs for gifted or developmentally disabled children.
Rank | School | Location |
---|---|---|
1 | Fort Hays State University | Hays, Kansas |
2 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, Florida |
3 | University of Wisconsin | Madison, Wisconsin |
4 | University of Nevada | Las Vegas, Nevada |
5 | University of Missouri | Columbia, Missouri |
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University features in many similar lists due to its affordable tuition and high-quality degree programs. Fort Hays actually offers two graduate degrees that fall within the realm of educational psychology: an Ed.S. in School Psychology or an M.S. in Psychology with a School emphasis. Either of these programs can be completed online in less than two years.
School Overview
Florida State University
Florida State University offers an educational psychology Master’s degree that can be completed entirely over the Internet. This program is technically a Master’s in Learning and Cognition. Students study cognitive, developmental, and learning theories. This program is heavily research-based. Students can complete a thesis, but they do not have to. Most students who plan to move onto a Ph.D. program will complete a thesis, while students who plan to go straight to work will instead take a final exam.
School Overview
University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin has the top-ranked educational psychology master’s program in the state. This program is designed for students who are already working as educators. Classes can be taken online during the fall and spring semesters. Students attend classes on campus during the summer. The program offers four areas of specialization for students to choose from: learning sciences, quantitative methods, human development, and school psychology. The school psychology track is intended to prepare students to enter a Ph.D. program. 30 credits are required to complete the program. It usually takes students two to three years to get their degrees.
School Overview
University of Nevada
The University of Nevada – Las Vegas offers a leading educational master’s degree. This degree, like many of the other programs on this list, can be completed entirely over the Internet. Students have ample opportunity to create their own degree path so that their studies reflect their interests. Students can choose to complete either a thesis or a final exam. It is recommended that students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. choose the thesis option.
School Overview
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri has one of the leading Educational Psychology Master’s programs in the region. This program can be completed entirely over the Internet. Students can choose specializations in either student learning and well-being or counseling psychology. The program is designed for working K-12 educators or school counselors. All online students benefit from Mizzou’s low in-state tuition rates, no matter where they may be located.
School Overview
Rutgers University
Rutgers University is known as one of the top public universities in the country, so it should come as no surprise that it features on our list. Its program is technically a Master of Education in Learning, Cognition, and Development. This program is available in fully online or hybrid (online and on-campus) formats. Students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. must also complete a research project.
School Overview
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia offers the top-ranked educational psychology master’s degree program in the South. This program is available through a hybrid instructional format. There are several specializations available, including learning across the lifespan, qualitative approaches to education, learning with technology, and development of high intellectual capability. This program requires students to successfully complete 34 credits to graduate.
School Overview
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama has a leading Master’s degree program in Educational Psychology. This program can be completed in full over the Internet. The degree includes a concentration in learning and assessment. This program is aimed at both educators and aspiring researchers. Students do not have to complete a thesis to graduate, though they do have to complete a capstone project in their final year of study.
School Overview
Ball State University
Ball State University may be lesser-known than some of the other schools on our list, but it boasts an elite Master’s in Educational Psychology. As with most of the other degrees on this list, this program can be completed entirely online. This program is taken on an accelerated schedule that allows students to graduate in only 18 months. Students can specialize in human development, neuropsychology, gifted and talented students, or applied behavior analysis.
School Overview
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University may be best known for its engineering programs, but it does offer a top-notch Master’s in Educational Psychology. This program can be completed fully online or through hybrid instructional methods. There are four specializations available: developmental sciences, research, measurement, and statistics, creativity and cognition, and school counseling. Students are not required to complete a thesis or a final exam.
If you need to find the right Masters in Educational Psychology, we can help you find the right program based on your preferences.
School Overview
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas may have been edged out by its in-state rival, but it still offers a solid Master’s degree in Educational Psychology. This program offers a concentration in gifted and talented students. If students choose, they can pursue this degree on an accelerated schedule that will see them graduate in 15 months. Students must complete a capstone project to graduate.
School Overview
University of Northern Colorado
The University of Northern Colorado offers the state’s highest-ranked Master’s in Educational Psychology. This program can be completed fully online or through hybrid instruction. The school also offers an accelerated B.A./M.A. program for highly motivated undergraduate students.
School Overview
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis has the premier Master’s in Educational Psychology in Tennessee. Students can complete this degree in its entirety over the Internet. The curriculum is designed to follow the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA). Students can choose between completing a thesis or a research project.
School Overview
Edinboro University
Edinboro University is a relatively small public university located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. It has a leading online Master’s program in Educational Psychology. This program can be completed in only two years by part-time students. Students must pass a comprehensive exam before graduation.
School Overview
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee – Knoxville has an innovative Master’s in Educational Psychology. This program offers concentrations in Applied Educational Psychology and Adult Education. This degree can be completed fully online, though students must attend live class sessions over the Internet.
School Overview
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University has an affordable, yet high-quality educational psychology graduate program. This online program has a Developing Learner concentration. Students must complete a capstone project to graduate. Every student pays the same tuition rate, regardless of their location.
School Overview
Temple University
The Master’s degree in Educational Psychology at Temple University has become part of the Professional Science Master’s in Applied Research and Evaluation program. The concentration in Applied Educational Psychology helps students develop their research and evaluation skills when it comes to conducting studies with students K-16. By focusing on this concentration, students will learn how to help improve academic and social outcomes for children, teens, and their families. In addition to pursuing a PhD. as teachers, the jobs that Educational Psychology Master’s students pursue include evaluation, data analysis, and consultation in education settings.
School Overview
Touro University
Touro University is known for being a leader in online education, and their Master’s degree in Educational Psychology is one of the top online programs in the field. This accelerated program can be completed in only one year. Students can start at six different times throughout the year.
School Overview
Marist College
Marist College offers one of the most unique Master’s in Educational Psychology programs on this list. This hybrid program not only awards students with a master’s degree, they also get a New York teaching certification as part of the program. Students only have to spend two summer weeks on the New York City campus during the two years of the program. There are specializations available in early childhood and adolescent education. Students must present an electronic portfolio as their capstone project.
School Overview
How We Determined These Rankings
We took two factors into consideration when determining these rankings: yearly tuition and graduation rate. We only considered the in-state tuition rate if a school has different rates for in-state and non-resident students. To determine each school’s rating, we took its yearly tuition and added a multiplier equivalent to the percentage of students who failed to graduate. Example: School A has yearly tuition of $10,000 and a 50% graduation rate. Their rating would be 15,000 (10,000 x 150%). Lower ratings are better than higher ratings.
If you’re a representative of one of the programs on this list and you want to make a correction or ask us a question, feel free to contact us.
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