The MA in Educational Psychology provides an advanced introduction to the field. Students may select a thesis or non-thesis option.
The program offers a concentration in Learning and Assessment, specifically designed for practitioner in an online format. There are two new MA options offered in collaboration with the Educational Research program. These options include a Learning and Evaluation option (thesis and non-thesis options) and a Program Evaluation option (non-thesis only). Educators interested in developing their research skills as they relate to the learning process and to school-based assessment practices are encouraged to apply.
The program also offers a concentration in School Psychometry through a distance learning/hybrid program. Successful completion of all requirements leads to Alabama Class A School Psychometry certification for eligible individuals.
Admissions
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include a vita/resume and three letters of recommendation consistent with goals of the program.
For the School Psychometry concentration (distance learning/hybrid program), applicants are encouraged to complete their applications by April 1. A statement of purpose, vita/resume, and letters of recommendation consistent with goals of the program, and a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, are needed for regular admission. In addition, distance learning applicants must meet the following admission requirements established by the Alabama State Department of Education.
- valid bachelor's level or master's level professional educator certificate in a teaching field OR valid master's level professional educator certificate in another area of instructional support,
- two years of acceptable, professional P-12 educational experience, and
- three recommendations (An applicant to a College of Education program that leads to professional certification must submit references from current and former professors and/or supervisory personnel knowledgeable of the applicant's academic and professional capabilities.)
Applicants must also meet the requirement for fingerprinting/background clearance.
Admission to the Graduate School is not equivalent to "unconditional admission" to a state-approved educator preparation program.
A composite GRE score of 300 or better is required for all candidates, irrespective of degree program, who are seeking an appointment as a college-sponsored Graduate Assistant.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Curricular Requirements
A major part of graduate training is successful participation in courses. Coursework requirements for the MA degree options in Educational Psychology are listed below. The MA degree requires 30 graduate credit hours. Main campus students may choose from non-thesis and thesis options.
Each student is appointed a temporary faculty adviser upon initial acceptance into the program. A student may select a permanent adviser after beginning coursework. Advisers assist students with planning coursework, registering for courses, completing program planning records, portfolio evaluations and other activities. Students are expected to maintain Program Planning Records with their advisors in order to monitor completion of coursework requirements.
Program Outcomes
All degree requirements in the Educational Psychology Program are carefully designed and sequenced according to program outcomes. Program outcomes are the areas of knowledge and skill students are expected to demonstrate upon successful completion of the coursework and other training activities.
Educational Psychology, MA (Non-Thesis Option) - Main Campus
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| BEP 500 | Adv Educational Psych | 3 |
| BEP 505 | Motivation and Self-Regulation | 3 |
| BEP 541 | Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| BEP 550 or | Life Span Development | 3 |
| HD 501 | Child Development | |
| BEP 561 | Social Cult Basis Behavr | 3 |
| BEP 565 | Personality & Social Dev | 3 |
| Methods Courses | ||
| BER 500 | Intro Educatn Research | 3 |
| BER 540 | Statistical Methods In Educ | 3 |
| Specialization course | ||
| Advisor-approved specialization course | 3 | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
| BEP 598 | Non-Thesis Research | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Educational Psychology, MA (Thesis Option) - Main Campus
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| BEP 500 | Adv Educational Psych | 3 |
| BEP 505 | Motivation and Self-Regulation | 3 |
| BEP 541 | Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| BEP 550 or | Life Span Development | 3 |
| HD 501 | Child Development | |
| BEP 561 | Social Cult Basis Behavr | 3 |
| BEP 565 | Personality & Social Dev | 3 |
| Methods Courses | ||
| BER 500 | Intro Educatn Research | 3 |
| BER 540 | Statistical Methods In Educ | 3 |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| BEP 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Learning and Assessment Concentration - Online
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Concentration Courses: | ||
| BER 540 | Statistical Methods In Educ | 3 |
| BER 555 | Measure & Eval: Social & Behav | 3 |
| BER 660 | Eval I:Theory & Practice | 3 |
| Additional Required Courses: | ||
| BEP 500 | Adv Educational Psych | 3 |
| BEP 505 | Motivation and Self-Regulation | 3 |
| BEP 541 | Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| BEP 550 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| BEP 561 | Social Cult Basis Behavr | 3 |
| BER 500 | Intro Educatn Research | 3 |
| BEP 598 | Non-Thesis Research | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
School Psychometry Concentration (Distance Learning/Hybrid Program)
This course listing applies to those who begin this program June 1, 2017. Candidates earning graduate credit prior to this date may elect to utilize this program. Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations of Professional Studies: | ||
| BSP 500 | Intro School Psychology | 3 |
| BEP 541 | Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| Educational Research: | ||
| BER 540 | Statistical Methods In Educ | 3 |
| BER 558 | Psychometric Theory | 3 |
| Educational Foundations: | ||
| BEF 534 | Multicultural Education * | 3 |
| Curriculum, Instruction, and Remediation: | ||
| CRD 569 | Intro to Literacy Education (or program-approved curriculum/instruction substitute) | 3 |
| Interventions/Problem Solving: | ||
| BCE 512 | Counseling Theory Proc | 3 |
| BSP 515 | Cog Acad Assmnt Decsn Makng | 3 |
| BSP 516 | Social Behav Assmnt Decisn Mak | 3 |
| Practica/Internship (minimum of 300 hours): | ||
| BSP 588 | Intern School Psychomtry | 3 |
| SPE 500 - however, if a special education survey course was completed during the undergraduate program or in another graduate program, then a program-approved, graduate-level special education elective is required instead of SPE 500. | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| * | SDE-approved diversity course |
Transfer Credit
The University of Alabama allows students to transfer equivalent courses from other accredited institutions where the student was enrolled in the graduate school. The greater of 12 hours or 25 percent of the required coursework for a master's degree may be transferred from another institution. Credits may be transferred only if they were earned during the six-year period prior to graduation from the program. Transfer of courses must be approved by the student’s advisor. The Dean of the Graduate School must also approve transfer of courses. The Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form is available from the Graduate School's website.
For the School Psychometry concentration, credits used for previous Class B certification may not be used for Class A certification.
Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
Comprehensive Exam
All degree students in the Educational Psychology Programs are required to successfully complete written comprehensive examinations before the degrees will be granted. The specific procedures for comprehensive examinations for the M.A. degree are designed in collaboration with the student's advisor. For the non-thesis option, the examination is in the form of the Capstone experience; for the thesis option, it is the thesis. The examinations are completed independently on a “take-home” basis and require students to integrate knowledge and skills obtained during coursework and other training activities. Each student is allowed to take comprehensive examinations only twice.
Graduate School information on Comprehensive Exams.
Fieldwork/Practicum/Internship Requirements
For the School Psychometry concentration, internship hours of at least 300 clock hours at the P-12 level are required.
Students enrolled in College of Education courses that require a clinical placement should obtain professional liability insurance. Professional liability insurance may be purchased through an independent insurer or is available to students who are members of the Student Alabama Education Association (SAEA).
Time Limit for Degree Completion
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Student Progress Requirements
All students in the Educational Psychology Program are required to participate in a continuous review process in order to monitor student progress and determine that program outcomes are being achieved.
Additional Academic Requirements
All students in the Educational Psychology Program are expected to obtain skills in research. Each student is expected to join a faculty member’s research team during the first semester of graduate study. Master's students take a number of research courses and are encouraged to participate in research projects during courses and field experiences.
Electronic Learning Management System Requirement
For Class A School Psychometry (hybrid, distance learning program), a designated, electronic learning management system is required of all students in programs leading to professional educator certification.
Academic Misconduct
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence
Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
Academic Grievances
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Educational Psychology Program requirements exclude credit for undergraduate study, study which is remedial, or study which is designed to remove deficiencies in meeting requirements for program admission. In addition, the program limits the number of courses not open exclusively to graduate students to no more than one-third of a student’s program.
For the School Psychometry concentration, students must earn a GPA of at least 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C.
Graduate School information Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation
Information on the Application for Graduation.
Certification
For the School Psychometry concentration, requirements for certification and licensure in School Psychometry vary from state to state. Students are expected to determine the requirements for the state in which they intend to practice before beginning the program.
Graduates who met admission criteria above and obtain the MA degree in Educational Psychology - School Psychometry in the hybrid program may be eligible for Alabama Class A certification in School Psychometry IF the following prerequisites are met:
- a GPA of at least 3.25 on all courses with no grade below a C
- a passing score on a comprehensive assessment documenting mastery of the curriculum, and
- at least a valid Alabama Class B professional educator certificate in a teaching field or a valid Alabama Class A professional educator certificate in another area of instructional support
All students must complete the proper application form for Alabama certification. Forms are available online through the Alabama State Department of Education. Applications should be submitted to Student Services in 104 Carmichael Hall at least one semester in advance of graduation. A student who does not apply for professional certification within 60 months after completing the state-approved program will be required to meet the current program. Students who plan to seek employment in other states must secure the proper professional licensure application forms from those states' departments of education.
The certification programs of the department have been designed to fulfill current requirements of the Alabama State Board of Education. The state requirements change from time to time and, accordingly, the department's requirements and programs are subject to change.
The associate dean for student services in the College of Education has been designated the teacher certification officer for the University. Students who need information about or assistance with certification should consult the associate dean for student services.