Nov 04, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Educational Psychology, Ph.D.


Return to: 4160 Department of Learning Sciences  

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 who have little or no background in educational psychology may be required to complete additional coursework beyond the minimum requirements described below.

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.

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progress in a timely manner or inappropriate or unprofessional conduct by a student may result in the students being withdrawn from a course or the program.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.

Degree Requirements


Core Area (18 Hours)


The Core Area consists of 15 semester hours of research coursework and 3 semester hours of Social Foundation of Education and Psychology of Learning coursework.

Research Core (15 Hours)


Required (12 Hours)

  • A two-course sequence (6 hours) in research methodology (see below for specific tracks/courses)
  • Two courses (6 hours) in advanced research methods as identified by the Doctoral Advisory Committee
Historical/Philosophical Methodology

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 and 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. (2) Doctoral students should have a substantial understanding of the psychology of learning.

Select one (3):

Major Area (18-24 Hours)


Select (9-15 Hours)


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 University select a minimum of 9 additional credit hours.

Dissertation (15 Hours)


Required (15):

Total Semester Hours for Degree: Minimum of 51-57