Master of Science in Educational Psychology

Kaplan University’s Master of Science in Educational Psychology teaches you how to build, implement, and evaluate instructional regimens that are both competitive and educationally effective. You’ll receive training in the latest instructional techniques, technologies, educational trends, and learning behaviors.

Whether you are interested in pursuing a new career or an advanced position, a master’s degree from Kaplan University could help you keep pace with the fascinating field of educational psychology.*

Emphasis Areas | Curriculum | Tuition and Fees

Program Highlights

The Master of Science in Educational Psychology is designed to help you develop competencies to evaluate and recommend improvements in educational programs, student learning, and instruction. It is not focused on the clinical practice of school psychologists and does not lead to licensure or certification.

Faculty members who are practicing professionals in the field will guide you as you:

Select research design and methodologies that effectively address needs, processes, and outcomes in program evaluation
Create educational and psychological interventions that promote academic performance and social-emotional behavior
Integrate reasonable adaptations to educational policies, practices, and accommodations to create equivalent learning environments and experiences for diverse populations
Design effective educational programs and interventions by integrating learning theory and psychological principles
Demonstrate basic knowledge of the interaction between educational technology and academic outcomes

What are the Career Opportunities?

Earning a Master of Science in Educational Psychology could be an asset to anyone interested in pursuing a career as a teacher, educational administrator, psychometrician (one who measures psychological attributes), program evaluator, psychological consultant, or operations research analyst in educational, instructional, or governmental institutions.*

Curriculum for the Master of Science in Educational Psychology

Course #	Course Title	Credits
ED 503	EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY	4 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY This course introduces students to prominent research-based theories of learning and examines the impact of these theories on students, learning and motivation, teaching, and assessment. Students critically evaluate opposing sides of current issues in educational psychology and articulate and defend personal positions on these issues.
ED 533	PERSPECTIVES ON DIVERSITY	4 PERSPECTIVES ON DIVERSITY This course explores the various issues of student diversity, and challenges degree candidates to examine and define their own educational experiences with regard to culture and ethnicity, socioeconomic class, race, gender, religion, language, learning style, and exceptionality. Particular emphasis will be placed on the practical implications of diversity issues in classroom practice.
HE 559	QUANTITATIVE METHODS AND INSTRUMENTS FOR ASSESSMENT	5 QUANTITATIVE METHODS AND INSTRUMENTS FOR ASSESSMENT This course presents an in-depth overview of typical quantitative research designs, methods, data collection tools, and data analysis and reporting used in assessment and evaluation. It focuses on the research process related to assessment and evaluation and the basic skills required to plan, conduct, analyze, report, and evaluate research with a quantitative design. Detailed procedures associated with quantitative research, including experimental, quasi-experimental, survey, and correlational designs, are examined. Practical limitations of quantitative designs in assessment and evaluation and the role of quantitative research in mixed-method approaches are considered.
IX 540	RESEARCH METHODS FOR EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY	5 RESEARCH METHODS FOR EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY In this practitioner-oriented course, students will critically analyze readings and examples of instructional technology and design literature related to K–12, postsecondary, military, or profit and nonprofit organizations. They will explore methods and tools employed in educational research and will identify instructional design and technology issues. Students will find, review, analyze, and synthesize research related to the issues. They will conduct a literature review and draft the methods section of an applied research study. The course concludes with an examination of data analysis techniques and the preparation of an applied research proposal, which candidates can use as a guide to conduct further research or evaluation of instructional methods, design, and technology projects.
PS 506	LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT	5 LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT This course examines human development through the life span from birth to adulthood, concluding with issues surrounding death and dying. The student will use case studies to examine biological, social, and cognitive changes at each stage of life and their relevance to clinical, educational, and social problems. Students also evaluate the major psychosocial issues and conflicts that arise, and identify individual and social needs at each stage of development.
PS 515	LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR	5 LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR This course provides an overview of some of the major concepts and issues in learning theory. Students will examine the scientific study of how learning is acquired, maintained, and adapted. Emphasis is placed on behavioral, social, cognitive, affective, and motivational factors in human learning. Students are assisted in interpreting available empirical research and in thinking critically about the ethical application of that research.
PS 520	NEUROPSYCHOLOGY	5 NEUROPSYCHOLOGY This course provides an introduction to major concepts and issues in the field of neuropsychology, including methodological and research issues. Students will explore the major components of neuroanatomy and the assessment and diagnosis of neuropsychological syndromes. Students will also examine ethical, legal, and forensic issues in the research and application of neuropsychology.
PS 530	COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY	5 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY This course surveys the major concepts and issues in cognitive psychology. Topics include the scientific study of mind and mental functions including attention, memory, perception, problem solving, language, imagery and categorization, and human consciousness. Students will interpret available empirical research and use critical thinking to apply that research.

Course #	Course Title	Credits
	Specialization Courses	14 Specialization Courses

Course #	Course Title	Credits

ED 553	HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION	4 HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION This course introduces philosophical viewpoints that can affect new teachers' priorities and strategy choices in their practice. This course will also provide a historical perspective of how public education has become a democratic right in the United States. Candidates will compare and contrast philosophical theories that have driven pedagogy over the past two centuries. Candidates will also evaluate current research in their quest to develop as reflective and creative practitioners in the twenty-first century classroom.
ED 555	LEARNING THEORIES	5 LEARNING THEORIES This course is an in-depth review of theoretical principles, concepts, and research findings on learning and education, with an emphasis on application to educational practices. Learning strategies for child, adolescent, and adult learners are reviewed. Students will explore additional concepts of learning including motivation and intelligence theories, learning styles, and technology-mediated learning. Case studies, problem-solving strategies, collaborative learning, emergent technologies, and distance-learning techniques are discussed and modeled throughout the course.
PS 505	TESTING, MEASUREMENT, AND ASSESSMENT	5 TESTING, MEASUREMENT, AND ASSESSMENT This course examines the theoretical and conceptual framework of psychological testing, measurement, and assessment. Students learn about psychological test construction and psychometrics, and survey specific assessments and tools related to intelligence, education, personality, and clinical situations. Students also explore the uses and limitations of psychological testing and assessment, as well as ethical issues involved in the administration and interpretation of psychological testing and assessment results.

Total Program Requirements	52 Total Program Requirements

Core Requirements
Elective Requirements
Specialization/General Education Psychology
Total Program Requirements

You Could Save Time and Money on Your Kaplan University Degree

Credit for Prior Learning

If you already earned course credits at another institution, you may qualify for transfer credit that can be applied toward your program requirements at Kaplan University. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for graduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour	$385.00
Total program requirements Master of Science in Educational Psychology	52
Total cost of tuition	$20,020.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term. A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, contact an Admissions Advisor.

Chat with a representative about your financial aid options

Chat Now

*Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.