College of Education
Educational Research
Master of Science (M.S.)
Educational research involves the study of quantitative and qualitative research methods as they are applied to the systematic study of education. A major in educational research allows students to have a concentration in statistics, measurement, program evaluation, survey research, computer applications, qualitative research, institutional research, or policy research. This degree prepares graduates to conduct research in the schools and in other settings.
Application Deadlines: Summer (February 1), Fall (May 1), Spring (October 1)
Program Academic Regulations
To complete the degree requirements, students must fulfill the 9-credit master’s core requirement, 18 credit hours of credit for the Educational Research major, including a master’s project or master’s thesis, and three elective courses (9 credits). The M.S. major in Educational Research is not a certification program, but students who already hold a valid teaching certificate may use the three elective courses within the degree that have been approved for the Leadership Endorsement for Instructional Supervision in the State of Georgia. Students who complete the leadership endorsement may then take a four-course add-on to the degree that, in conjunction with the endorsement courses, meets course requirements for L5 Educational Leadership certification in the State of Georgia. The four course add-on is an additional 12 semester hours beyond the hours required for the M.S. in Educational Research.
A committee of three faculty members guides study for the M.S. major in Educational Research. The adviser (committee chair) and one committee member should be from the students’ major area. All members of the committee should hold doctorates.
Program Degree Requirements
A. Professional Studies (9)
Select one (3):
EPRS 7900 Methods of Research in Education (3)
EPRS 7910 Action Research (3)
EPRS 7920 Classroom Testing, Grading, and Assessment (3)
Select one (3):
EPSF 7100 Critical Pedagogy (3)
EPSF 7110 Multicultural Education (3)
EPSF 7120 Social and Cultural Foundations of Education (3)
Select one (3):
EPY 7080 The Psychology of Learning and Learners (3)
EPY 7090 The Psychology of Learning and Learners: The Young Child (3)
B. Major (18)
Select courses (18): The students and their advisory committee select 18 semester hours of coursework in a concentration area. These courses are usually selected from EPRS course offerings; however, courses in other departments may be appropriate to include as part of the students’ program.
If the students desire to write a master’s thesis and the advisory committee approves, the students must enroll in EPS 7990 for 6 semester hours as partial fulfillment of the 18 semester hour major requirement. If the students do not intend to write a master’s thesis, then they must enroll in EPS 7991 for 3 semester hours as partial fulfillment of the 18 semester hour major requirement.
C. Electives (9)
Select three (9): With the consent of their advisory committee, the students select 9 semester hours of electives. These electives must support either the concentration or understanding of the context in which educational research occurs. Courses which may be taken as electives and which meet the requirements for the leadership endorsement are EPEL 7000 Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture (3), EPEL 7410 Instructional Leadership (3), and EPSF 7450 Curriculum Foundations for the Educational Leader (3).
Program total: minimum of 36 semester hours