Educational Psychology Undergraduate Handbook

Welcome to Educational Psychology!

Educational Psychology is an undergraduate degree program in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology. This major leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in educational psychology but does not lead to certification as a teacher; it is a non-teaching major. It is generally referred to as the EPY major. This handbook will give you information about the degree requirements and other useful information you will need to know as you complete your degree program in EPY. You should consider educational psychology major if you are interested in working with people of various ages and in a range of settings. It is an appropriate major for those who want to work in helping professions but are not seeking to become a classroom teacher.

Educational psychology is the science of learners and learning, including their differences and their development as they grow and change. These differences include changes that are biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial. Educational psychologists are interested in areas that affect students’ learning and achievement; such that they are interested in understanding motivation, individual differences in abilities; student exceptionalities, creative thinking, and personality. Educational psychology also involves learning the techniques of the scientific method that apply to our field – using tests and measurements, statistics, and research methodology. Thus, educational psychology involves a wide range of topics about people, and your major courses are designed to help you learn about these topics while also helping you learn the methods in how knowledge is gained in the field.

This undergraduate major is designed for people who

• enjoy helping and working with others
• want to understand why people think and act the way they do
• seek enriching courses in human development, learning, and other topics relevant for applying psychology to teaching, coaching, counseling, and other professions. See career opportunities page.

Planning for your B.S. Degree (see the program planning sheet)
124 hour degree program curriculum includes completion of the following:

• a general education core 48 hours
  • Electives listed on General Education core MUST come from the approved list (in catalog; also available on MSU website: click ACADEMICS, the CORE courses
• a 43 hour curriculum in educational psychology (C or better)
• a supporting interest area that you choose to complement the major (18 hrs)
• 9-15 hours of free electives
• Other requirements:
  • Minimum allowed GPA of 2.25 to enter & graduate from the program.
  • Plan to take approximately 15 hours (5 courses) each regular term.

Planning your EPY Core Courses

Although there is not a defined order in which to take the EPY core courses, it is recommended to take some subset of courses prior to others—The first set (A) are intended to prepare your entry into the field and ideally should be taken in your first two years. The second set, Set B, involve a set of courses that can be taken at any point in your major, especially after taking courses in set A. Finally, the last set (C) are capstone courses that are intended for you to take in your final two semesters. You should also be deciding on and taking courses in your emphasis area during your Junior and Senior years. (Note courses marked with an asterisk * serve as prerequisite courses for other ones in the major.)

Set A

Set B

Set C

Supporting Interest Area

Included in the 124 hours to meet the major is a requirement to fulfill a supporting interest area. This includes 18 hours in another major or group of courses that serve to complement the EPY courses. See EPY Supporting Interest Area list. The supporting interest areas include: Counseling & Clinical Applications; The Developing Child; Youth & Teen Studies; Law & Order; Human Resources and Industrial Applications; Kinesiology; Speech / Language Pathology (courses taken at MUW); or a Minor in another department.

Three-Year Degree Option is available if you start early.

Students entering MSU in Fall 2013 or after may elect to complete the B.S. degree in Educational Psychology in three years. This requires full time enrollment in Fall and Spring semesters, as well as taking summer school courses after both the first and second year. For additional information, see www.threeyeardegree.msstate.edu

Advising

Remember your college experience is made up of what you make it! In terms of your academic planning, you are responsible for meeting with your advisor, asking questions you need answered, listening/following their advice, and making decisions. Please come prepared to advising appointments by reviewing this handbook, noting your progress, and having a draft plan of courses to take in the upcoming semester. This plan should include some alternative ideas in case some courses are full before you can register for them.
Remember your degree program is your responsibility.

Program Faculty (Advisors are marked with *)

• Dr. Ty Abernathy
• Dr. Anastasia Elder*
• Dr. Donna Gainer
• Ms. Kasia Gallo*
• Dr. Dinetta Karriem* Student Services Coordinator
• Dr. Nicole Leach*
• Dr. David Morse* Dept. Head
• Dr. Linda Morse
• Dr. Tianlan Wei*

How do I get an advisor and an advising session?

• Check with the main office of the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, & Foundations: 662-325-3426.

What should I bring to advising?

• Your up to date curriculum planning guide
• CAPP compliance -- Curriculum, Advising and Program Planning via BANNER.
• A trial schedule or your Registration worksheet with courses you want (& alternatives)
• Any questions you might have about classes or supporting interest areas
• After reviewing your proposed schedule, your adviser will release you for registration

Most EPY courses are offered every semester, except for the following:

• EPY 4313 is usually offered spring and summer terms
• EPY 3063 & EPY 4073 are usually offered fall and summer terms
• EPY 4214 is usually offered fall and spring terms

Career Opportunities with an Epy Degree

1. Mental Health
   • Case Worker
   • Geriatric Technician
   • Behavioral Technician
   • Program Assistant
2. Group Home Setting
   • Resident Manager
   • Program Assistant
3. Private Metal Health/Substance Abuse Worker
   • Psychiatric Assistant
   • Substance Abuse Counselor
4. Department of Human Resources
   • Child Welfare Worker
   • Adult Services Worker
5. Family Violence Programs
   • Youth Worker
   • Domestic Abuse/Crime Violence Aide
   • Shelter Counselor
   • Child Services Worker
6. Child Advocacy Center
   • Family Support Worker
7. Public Schools
   • Parent Educator
   • Family Programs Aide
   • Teen Pregnancy Counselor
   • Tutor
8. Nursing Home
   • Social Worker (unlicensed)
   • Activities Coordinator
   • Case Manager
9. Adolescent Rehabilitation Program
   • Wilderness Counselor
   • Family Services Aide
10. Business
    • Human Resources Specialist
11. State Hospital for the Mentally Retarded
    • Ellisville Aides, Case Worker
12. Hospice Worker
    • Social Worker
13. Private Charitable Organization
    • Girl Scout
    • Catholic Charities
14. Church Related
    • Youth Worker
    • Religious Education
    • Pre-Seminary Intern
15. Prisons
    • Classification Specialist
    • Mental Health Technician
16. Local Government
    • Recreation Assistants
    • Court-Appointed Youth
    • Court Position

Although our major is a non-teaching program, sometimes students do wish to look into teaching as a career after completing our degree. The Mississippi Department of Education does have several alternative routes to becoming a teacher. Each differ in their requirements and the areas in which you can be certified. For further information, check their web page (http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ed_licensure/).