About the Ph.D. Degree
Both the face-to-face and online Ph.D. program Educational Psychology and Research (EDPR) grounds potential graduates in foundational educational and psychological theories related to human development and learning and cognition/motivation, as well as methodological skills in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
The PhD program in Educational Psychology and Research will prepare you for careers in academic and professional communities with content expertise and research experience within your area of study interest. Our students are highly competitive applicants for jobs in education, psychology, health professions, and other related fields, holding positions as researchers, consultants, administrators, and faculty members in higher education institutions.
Prior to submitting your application, students should research the various EDPR faculty members and list in order of preference whom the student would like to be paired with for their initial advisor. Upon admission into the online program, you will have the opportunity to work with dynamic and respected faculty members; all of whom are recognized experts in their respective areas. These faculty are dedicated to working with students under a “research apprenticeship” model that will help you pursue your interests, no matter where you plan to take your career. Among other activities, working with our faculty will enable you to tap into your own research interests in your concentration area, striving to offer research development opportunities, and in some cases to unlock grants and other funding sources to support your research.
Our graduate students come with a variety of backgrounds, interests, and career goals. What is common among our enrolled graduate students is a shared commitment to research and to addressing contemporary social and educational issues through application of relevant theory and research.
The program requirements for online students are the same as that for on-campus students. Students will complete a core set of research and educational psychology courses, with additional elective course requirements that allow the customization to your area of interest. Students can also complete additional coursework beyond the doctoral program requirements to obtain a graduate certificate in qualitative or quantitative research methods. All doctoral students are required to complete both a research residency project and a dissertation demonstrating their ability to conduct original applied research studies. A minimum of 54 credit hours (including 12 dissertation hours) are required to complete the degree program.
We accept both part-time and full-time students and offer the traditional program in a face-to-face format. Application deadlines (traditional): Fall entry (March 1st) and Spring entry (November 1st). Applicants are normally notified within two weeks about application their status, and interviews are normally required.
Graduate funding is available for students through teaching and research assistantships. Students should express in their applications whether they desire funding.
Please note that, since the purpose of our doctoral training program is to prepare researchers who work in specialized areas, individuals interested ONLY in an applied clinical position or a position that requires certification or licensure (e.g., school counselor, school psychologist, mental health counselor) should not apply to this program.
Coordinators:
Chris Mueller
Educational Psychology Program Coordinator
105C Ball Hall
Email | 901.678.2841
901.678.5114 (FAX)
Susan Nordstrom
Educational Research Program Coordinator
101B Ball Hall
Email | 901.678.1525
901.678.5114 (FAX)
Important Links
- UofM Graduate Catalog - Educational Psychology & Research (Ph.D.)
- Educational Psychology & Research Coursework
- How to apply to our Ph.D. program