Master of Arts in Education – Educational Psychology
- Fall January 10
- Spring July 1
- Pullman: Yes
- 300 GRE (combined Quantitative/Verbal)
Degree Description:
The M.A. degree with specialization in educational psychology are a concentration in research, evaluation, psychometrics, and cognition. While students at the Master’s level in educational psychology complete a common core of courses, a portion of each Master’s degree program is composed of courses selected by the student and his/her advisory committee to tailor the program of study around the student’s personal interests and professional aspirations. M.A. recipients in educational psychology are well prepared to continue doctoral level training if so desired. However, an M.A would give access to entry level positions in this intriguing field that presents an ever-changing, challenging, and rewarding work environment. The M.A. does require the completion of a written thesis and is encouraged if a student is considering the pursuit of a doctoral degree.
Admission Requirements:
To apply, please provide the following information: a WSU Graduate School online application, official transcripts, a supplemental department application, a current resume documenting any related work or research experience; a brief statement of your professional objectives and how you believe they will be promoted by admission to the program (do not exceed two typed single spaced pages); three letters of reference forwarded by persons familiar with your qualifications; transcripts showing all previous college or university coursework; and GRE or (for international students only) TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Student Learning Outcome:
All graduates will be able to:
- Ability to think critically, evaluate, understand, apply, and communicate scientific research.
- Ability to understand and apply research designs.
- Ability to understand and apply statistical, measurement, evaluation, principles to their area of research.
- Awareness and understanding how diversity issues and protected populations influences research.
- Development of professional identity appropriate for future career plans.
Student Opportunities:
The work in such areas as research, evaluation, and measurement may include for example: the opportunity to make contributions to the improvement of educational settings (e.g., schools, universities), to have some influence on individuals through consultation on programs, methods, or to provide information through analysis to individuals who shape policy. Other opportunities may include positions in the testing industry; researcher at national firms studying educational issues; assessment specialist at national foundations.
Career Opportunities:
Experienced individuals in this profession can expect to earn a good salary and maintain an interesting and fulfilling career in employment in private firms, at school districts or university settings, business, industry, or state agencies as program evaluators or student assessment coordinators, research technicians, or data analysts, as examples.
Career Placements:
Evaluator for Appalachian Education Laboratory, West Virginia
Assessment specialist for the regional educational agency in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Assistant professor in measurement, statistics, and evaluation, Indiana State University
Research scientist, Duke Energies, South Carolina
Assistant professor of Educational Technology, Morehead State University, Minnesota
Project Director of Psychometrics, Applied Measurement Professionals
Faculty Members:
Adesope, Olusola, Ph.D.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member on graduate committee
Research Interests
Broad issues in educational psychology, educational technology, and the learning sciences application in educational programs, interactive concept maps & diagrams, cognitive and pedagogical underpinnings of learning with computer-based multimedia resources, evaluation of learning objects, language pedagogy and quantitative research methods, especially meta-analyses.
Carbonneau, Kira Joy, Ph.D.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member on graduate committee
Research Interests
Includes interests associated with: cognitive principles of instructional methods, instructional manipulatives in early childhood education, mathematics education, executive functioning and self-regulation. Dr. Carbonneau’s most recent research assesses the efficacy of manipulative-based instructional strategies within pre-K classrooms.
French, Brian F., Ph.D.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member on graduate committee
Research Interests
Educational and psychological measurement issues, application of psychometric methods and use of methodological studies to evaluate and improve methods, Measurement Invariance, Structural Equation Modeling, Item Response Theory, Classical Test Theory, Factor Analysis, Monte Carlo studies.
Gotch, Chad, Ph.D.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member on graduate committee
Research Interests
Centers on maximizing effective and proper use of educational and psychological measurements. To this end, he studies assessment/measurement literacy among teachers, score reporting, and building validity arguments from both technical and non-technical evidence. These complimentary lines of research inform the life cycle of assessment, from development to use and policy.
LeBeau, Jennifer, Ph.D.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member on graduate committee
Research Interests
Dr. LeBeau’s primary interests lie in evaluation of projects related to STEM education and to student success. She has conducted research on service learning and student-faculty interactions as they relate to undergraduate and adult student success. Her current research focuses on pedagogical practices to enhance adult learning and ways in which program evaluation can be taught effectively to graduate students.
Trevisan, Michael Steven, Ph.D.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member on graduate committee
Research Interests
Program evaluation, student assessment, measurement, and applied statistics.