College of Education
Educational Psychology (Ph.D.)
PhD in Educational Psychology Handbook
Program Theme: Leadership and Scholarship Focused on Learning and Development
The Ph.D. major in Educational Psychology develops a substantial knowledge base in the related fields defining educational psychology. This program prepares persons for careers as faculty members in colleges and universities, as researchers in departments of education and in government and business, and as professionals in training research programs in government and industry.
Program Academic Regulations
Doctoral students in Educational Psychology must complete three semester hours of research methodology coursework beyond the requirements of the Core Area. Students who have little or no background in educational psychology may be required to complete additional coursework beyond the minimum requirements described below; such coursework may not be credited toward the minimum of 71 semester hours required in the program.
Students must complete the departmental residency requirements. Transfer credit hours may not be used to satisfy more than one third of the credit hours for the major area. Details of these requirements and clarification of other policies are available in the Educational Psychology’s Policy Guide for Doctoral Students available at http://education.gsu.edu/epse/degrees/EPY/Phd.htm.
Evaluation of a student’s performance is continuous and involves consideration of the student’s performance in all academic settings. Only courses in which a student earns a grade of “B” or higher will be counted toward degree fulfillment. Failure to make progress in a timely manner or inappropriate or unprofessional conduct by a student may result in the students being withdrawn from a course or the program. If such removal from a course is necessary, the student will receive a grade of “F” for the course and may be judged ineligible to reenroll in that course.
Program Degree Requirements
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology
A. Core Area (18)
The students must meet all general core area requirements.
B. Major Area (18-26)
Required (8):
EPY 8010 Professional Studies in Educational Psychology (3)
EPY 8961 Professional Development Seminar in Educational Psychology (2)
EPY 9000 Facilitating College Teaching (3)
Select (10-18): Students who have a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology (or a related degree approved by their Doctoral Advisory Committee) select a minimum of 10 additional semester hours in educational psychology. Students who have a master’s degree in other fields must select a minimum of 18 additional semester hours of coursework, a majority of which must be in educational psychology. Major areas of specialization include general educational psychology, learning, human development, instruction, aging, applied behavior analysis, social psychology, and cognitive psychology.
C. Cognate Area (18)
The cognate area allows the students to individualize the program of study by selecting supportive coursework in adjunct areas. No combination of courses will be approved that is intended to satisfy requirements of the State of Georgia for licensure in any area of applied professional psychology.
D. Dissertation (9)
Required (9):
EPY 9990 Dissertation (9)
Program total: minimum of 63-71 semester hours