Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology

Degree Description:

Our Educational Psychology program focuses on developing and applying research, evaluation, and measurement (REM) knowledge and skills necessary to conduct theoretical research and/or basic research. In 2009, the College of Education Learning and Performance Research Center (formally the Assessment and Evaluation Center) was established at WSU to provide leadership, training, consultation, and state-the-art solutions to challenging educational research questions at the university, state, national, and international levels. Assistantships for educational psychology students in the center provide unique opportunities to apply theoretical concepts and methodologies of program evaluation and educational and psychological measurement to specific practical projects in various educational settings through partnerships with school districts, state agencies, and other social service organizations.

Successful professionals in this field have strong methodological skills, an understanding of researchable topics, the ability to develop a research program, the ability to communicate and work with a wide variety of professionals, and the skills to understand nuance and ambiguity in the work environment. Through faculty and student partnerships across campus, the program provides an exciting, interdisciplinary atmosphere for course and field study. Consistent with the scientist-practitioner model of professional training in psychology, students in the doctoral program in educational psychology are required to integrate the theoretical and research offerings of the university with substantial practicum and internship experiences by completing an internship directly related to the specific area of professional training.