Overview
Educational psychology is the science of learners and learning and draws upon rigorous research to apply psychological principles to educational issues. Educational psychologists are interested in understanding the factors that affect student learning, engagement, and motivation, and often consider a range of factors such as biology, individual differences, development, and social and contextual factors. Educational psychology also involves learning the scientific methods that apply to our field, including tests and measurements, statistics, and research methodology. Thus, the major core courses are designed to help you learn about these topics and methods for gaining knowledge in the field.
Our graduate programs are designed to prepare individuals for employment in research, teaching, and service settings. The coursework includes topics such as development, cognition, motivational and social factors, individual differences, measurement, statistics, and research. The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in General Educational Psychology is a planned program that requires completion of 35 hours of coursework.
Curriculum
Educational Psychology Major Core (10 hours)
- EPY 6214 Educational and Psychological Statistics
- EPY XXXX Educational Psychology elective in consult with advisor
- EPY 8263 Psychological Testing in Educational and Related Settings
General Educational Psychology
Concentration Requirements (19 hours)
- EPY 6033 Applications of Learning Theories in Educational and Related Settings
- EPY 6073 Personal and Motivational Factors in Education Related Settings
- EPY 8214 Advanced Educational and Psychological Statistics
- EPY 8223 Psychological Foundations of Education
- EPY 8293 Cognitive and Affective Development
- EDF 8363 Function and Methods of Research
- or PSY 8513 Psychological Research
Related Electives or Thesis Hours (6 hours)
Non-Thesis Option
- EDF 9453 Introduction to Qualitative Research
and ONE EPY or PSY course in consult with your advisor. Some recommended courses include:
- EPY 6553 Creativity and Innovation
- EPY 8523 Psychology of the Gifted
- EPY 8533 Practicum in Teaching with Educational Psychology
- EPY 9723 Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Educational Psychology
- PSY 6403 Biological Psychology
- PSY 6713 Language and Thought
- PSY 6983 Psychology of Aging
- PSY 8313 Developmental Psychology
Thesis Option
- EPY 9000 Thesis Research/Thesis in Educational Psychology
Educational Psychology Faculty
- Ty Abernathy, Ph.D. Assistant Teaching Professor
- Donna Gainer, Ph.D. Associate Teaching Professor
- Kasia Gallo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Mehdi Ghahremani, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Sareh Karami, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
- Tianlan (Elaine) Wei, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Program Coordinator
Current Students
Our master's students may complete the 35-hour coursework in 1 to 2 years, depending on whether they attend summer school and whether they have earned credits in our accelerated master's program. The recommended sequence for coursework for the 2-, 1.5-, and 1-year options is listed below:
Recommended Sequence for Coursework
Two Years
| 1st Year Fall | 1st Year Spring | 2nd Year Fall | 2nd Year Spring |
| EPY 6033, EPY 6073, or Elective | EPY 6033 or Elective | EPY 6033, EPY 6073, or Elective | EDF 9453 |
| EPY 6214 | EDF 8363 | EPY 8223 or 8293 | EPY 8263 |
| EPY 8223 or 8293 | EPY 8214 | Elective |
One and A Half Years
| 1st Year Fall | 1st Year Summer | 1st Year Spring | 2nd Year Fall |
| EPY 6033, EPY 6073, or Elective | EPY 6214 | EPY 6033 or Elective | EPY 6033, EPY 6073, or Elective |
| EDF 8363 | EPY 8214 | EPY 8263 | EPY 8223 or 8293 |
| EPY 8223 or 8293 | EDF 9453 | Elective |
One Year
| 1st Year Fall | 1st Year Summer | 1st Year Spring |
| EDF 8363 | EPY 6214 | EPY 8263 |
| EPY 8223 or 8293 | EPY 8214 | EPY 8223 or 8293 as DIS |
| Elective | EDF 9453 |
Master's Student Steps Towards Graduation
| Timeframe | Activity | Student | Advisor/Committee Chair |
| Advising time every semester | Complete coursework | Touch base with the advisor with a tentative schedule during advising time. | Review the student's tentative schedule, provide suggestions, and release the student for registration. |
| No later than the end of the first week of the final semester | Form the Graduate Committee |
Discuss potential committee members with advisor. Upon advisor's approval, obtain the written agreement of potential committee members to serve on the committee. |
Approve student's selection or suggest other potential committee members. Complete the Committee Request Form and send it to the department's academic coordinator. |
| The week after Spring or Fall break of the final semester | Comprehensive exam | Schedule in advance for two days (approximately 4 hours per day) within this week to take the comprehensive exam. |
Get student's CAPP ready for the degree audit. Prepare the comprehensive exam questions for the committee's review and approval. |
| Final semester | Graduation | Apply online via myState for graduation (check Academic Calendar for last day to apply). | Coordinate committee's grading of student's comprehensive exam responses, complete the Report of Examination Results/Candidacy form, and send it to the department's academic coordinator (check Graduate School Calendar for last day to report). |
Prospective Students
Applicants to the M.S. program must apply via the Graduate School: https://apply.grad.msstate.edu/. Completed applications are then reviewed by the Educational Psychology faculty admissions committee. When applying via the Graduate School website, make sure you select the "General Ed. Psychology" option from the drop-down menu (see screenshot below), you would otherwise be applying to the wrong program area (and your application fee cannot be refunded).
Application Materials
The following materials are required by the Educational Psychology graduate programs:
- Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose
- Official transcripts from all universities attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume or Vitae
- GRE scores (verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing) *
- Other materials as required by the Graduate School (e.g., English test scores for international applicants)
*Applicants for Fall 2022 or later admission are no longer required (but strongly encouraged) to submit GRE scores.
Application Deadlines
Starting Fall 2022, the program will switch to fall admission only.
- Early Admission**: February 15
- Regular Admission: August 1 (for domestic students) and May 1 (for international students)
**All applicants who apply by our early admission deadline are given full consideration for assistantships.
Financial Assistance
Students in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Educational Psychology may receive financial assistance through assistantships.
Assistantships may be available from the department and via other related units on campus. Some students have obtained assistantships outside of the department in other areas including the Dean's Office, Student Support Services, Department of Human Sciences, Research Curriculum Unit, and Social Sciences Research Center.
If awarded, an assistantship includes a tuition waiver (both in-state and out-of-state tuition) and a monthly stipend ranging from $720.00 to $1000.00 depending on the placement. All "early admission" applicants are given full consideration for assistantships, but priority would be given to applicants for the Ph.D. program.
Students must be enrolled full-time (i.e., 9 credit hours) and complete 20 hours per week for each assistantship. For more information regarding university assistantships, please go to the Office of Graduate Studies website at: https://www.grad.msstate.edu/funding-tuition.
In addition to assistantships, some students apply for financial aid to assist them in meeting the financial demands of graduate school. In order to obtain more information about financial aid, please visit the Office of Financial Aid website at http://sfa.msstate.edu.
For the most current information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Account Services website at https://www.controller.msstate.edu/accountservices/tuition/.
Career Opportunities
One of the primary career paths for our master's graduates is in education, spanning both K-12 and higher education institutions. In recent years, a significant percentage of graduates from our master's program have successfully secured positions in this field. Our alumni have embarked on diverse career journeys, landing roles such as:
- Instructional Support Team Supervisor
- Doctoral Student of Educational Psychology
- Student-Athlete Development Coordinator
- Educational Specialist
- Assistant Director of Athletic Academic Support Services
- School Psychologist
These are just a few examples of the rewarding positions our graduates have attained, showcasing the versatility and excellence of our program. As a master's student in our program, you will gain access to an array of invaluable resources designed to prepare you for a fulfilling career in higher education. Our faculty members are distinguished experts in their fields, actively engaged in research and seasoned in the art of education. They will serve as your mentors, offering guidance and support in developing your research interests, teaching philosophy, and expanding your professional network.
Whether your aspirations lie in research, teaching, or administration, our master's program equips you with the necessary skills and training to thrive in the realm of higher education. Join us today, and take that crucial first step toward a rewarding and impactful career in academia. Your journey begins here.
Contact Information
Elaine Wei, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Educational Psychology
ewei@colled.msstate.edu