Educational Psychology, Ph.D.

Admissions Requirements

If you do not have a master’s degree you can enroll in our concurrent Ph.D. in which you will complete a master’s on your way to a Ph.D.

When applying to the Educational Psychology, Ph.D. program, you will need to submit the following:

• Online Application
• Application Fee of $50
• Goals Statement (upload with the application):
  • In 500-1000 words, summarize your skills and experiences that are relevant to graduate study in educational psychology. Address the fit between your objectives and the graduate training offered at Georgia State, including the fit with faculty member(s) with whom you would most like to work. Discuss what you would like to be doing three to five years after you receive your Ph.D.
• Resume (upload with the application)
• Writing Sample (upload with the application)
• Three Letters of Recommendation (at least two letters should come from academic sources; upload with the application)
• Official Transcript: minimum 3.30 graduate GPA required for admission (applicants for concurrent master’s/Ph.D. admission must have minimum 3.30 undergraduate GPA)
  • submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• GRE scores: An official score on the Graduate Record Examination General Test is required for admission to Ph.D. programs in the College of Education and Human Development. While it is important to note that GRE scores are used along with other criteria established by departments and programs when determining admission, a score of 155 or higher on the verbal section and 151 or higher on the quantitative section will make the application more competitive
  • institution code 5251
  • scores may not be more than five years old at time of application

Please Note: Admission to the program considers a variety of factors including academic achievement, GRE scores, experience, statement, writing sample, letters of recommendation and compatibility of interests with those of the program and faculty. Although interviews are not required, you may be contacted by the program for more information.

Program of Study

A. Core Area (18)

The core area consists of 15 semester hours of research coursework and three semester hours of social foundation of education and psychology of learning coursework.

Research Core (15 hours)

Choose one course (3):

• EPRS 8500 Qualitative/Interpretive Research in Education (3)
• EPRS 8530 Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education (3)

Required (12):

• A two-course sequence (six hours) in research methodology (see below for specific tracks/courses)
• Two courses (six hours) in advanced research methods as identified by the Doctoral Advisory Committee

Quantitative Methodology

• EPRS 8540 Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education II
• EPRS 8550 Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education III (3)
• EPRS 8820 Program Evaluation and Institutional Research (3)
• EPRS 8830 Survey Research, Sampling Principles and Questionnaire Design (3)
• EPRS 8840 Meta-Analysis (3)
• EPRS 8660 Bayesian Statistics (3)
• EPRS 9550 Multivariate Analysis (3)
• EPRS 9560 Structural Equation Modeling (3)
• EPRS 9570 Hierarchical Linear Modeling I (3)
• EPRS 9571 Hierarchical Linear Modeling II(3)
• EPRS 9900 Research Design (3)

Qualitative Methodology

• ANTH 8010 Qualitative Methods in Anthropology (3)
• EPRS 8510 Qualitative Research in Education II (3)
• EPRS 8520 Qualitative Research in Education III (3)
• EPRS 8640 Case Study Methods (3)
• EPRS 8700 Visual Research Methods (3)
• EPRS 9120 Poststructural Inquiry (3)
• EPRS 9400 Writing Qualitative Research Manuscripts (3)

Single-Case Methodology

• EPY 8850 Introduction to Single-Case Methodology (3)
• EPY 8860 Applications of Single-Case Methodology (3)

Historical/Philosophical Methodology

• EPSF 9850 Historical Research in American Education (3)
• EPSF 9930 Philosophical Analysis and Method (3)

Measurement Methodology

• EPRS 7920 Classroom Testing, Grading and Assessment (3)
• EPRS 8920 Educational Measurement (3)
• EPRS 9350 Introduction to Item Response Theory (3)
• EPRS 9360 Advanced Item Response Theory (3)

Social Foundations of Education and Psychology of Learning Core (3 hours)

In addition to highly specialized research in specific areas, doctoral students in the College of Education & Human Development must possess a deep understanding of comprehensive, theoretical principles and broad ideological conceptualizations.

Through historical, philosophical, sociological and anthropological inquiry, knowledge of social foundations fosters the types of speculative investigations essential for thorough understandings of those theoretical principles and ideological conceptualizations necessary to uphold the integrity of the Ph.D. degree.

The psychology of learning component is based on the following guiding principles: (1) Educational leaders make judgments that affect learning and (2) doctoral students should have a substantial understanding of the psychology of learning.

Select one (3):

• EPSF 8270 Philosophy of Education (3)
• EPSF 8280 Anthropology of Education (3)
• EPSF 8310 Sociology of Education (3)
• EPSF 8320 Politics and Policy in Education (3)
• EPSF 8340 History of American Education (3)
• EPSF 9260 Epistemology and Learning (3)
• EPY 8030 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
• EPY 8050 The Psychology of Instruction (3)
• EPY 8070 Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning (3)
• EPY 8080 Memory and Cognition (3)
• EPY 8180 Learning and the School-Age Child (5 to 18 Years) (3)
• EPY 8200 Advanced Developmental Psychology: Cognition and Intellect (3)
• EPY 8220 Advanced Developmental Psychology: Personality and Socialization (3)

B. Major Area (18-24)

Required (9):

• EPY 8010 Professional Studies in Educational Psychology (3)
• EPY 8961 Professional Development Seminar in Educational Psychology (3)
• EPY 9000 Facilitating College Teaching (3)

Select (9-15): Students must select a minimum of 15 hours of additional credit hours of coursework, a majority of which must be in educational psychology. As an exception, students who have a master’s degree in educational psychology from Georgia State select a minimum of nine additional credit hours.

Program total: Minimum of 51-57 semester hours

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, from assistantships to fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

Student Resources

• Student Handbook – The Doctoral Program in Educational Psychology
• Student Handbook – The Concurrent Program in Educational Psychology
• Ph.D. Residency Program Plan
• Ph.D. Program of Study & Advisory Committee