Educational Psychology Doctorate Program (Ph.D.)
Program Description:
The program’s mission is to advance the understanding of learning, cognition, and human development as these processes apply to educational processes and practices. The Educational Psychology Program is characterized by a strong theoretical and research orientation, the interplay of theory and practice, an interdisciplinary approach, and a commitment to service.
Concentrations:
- General Educational Psychology
This concentration is designed for students seeking to become professors or researchers in higher education. It is structured around the three areas of learning and conceptual processes, human development, and applied data analysis and research methodology. - Special Education
This concentration is for students who are seeking higher level training in the field of special education. Typically, students who matriculate in this concentration have at least an undergraduate degree in special education (and often a master's degree as well), have worked or are currently employed in a special education setting, and intend to pursue work in special education after they complete their degree. The basic course work is identical to the Instructional Psychology track, with additional courses in special education.
Program Requirements:
The Educational Psychology Ph.D. program requires that students successfully complete a minimum of 90 semester hours of required coursework (including research hours). In addition, students in the Ph.D. program must also:
- Pass the Ed. Psych. Preliminary Exam (Comprehensive Exam)
- Pass 6 semester hours of apprenticeship
- Complete a two-contiguous-semester residency period
- Pass a major area exam (Doctoral Preliminary Exam)
- Successfully write and defend their dissertation
Required Core Courses:
Substantive Courses
- EP 5531 Learning Theories and Education
- EP 8638 Seminar in Instructional Theories
- EP 5541 Concepts of Human Development
- SPEC ED 8710 Pro-Seminar in Individual Differences
- EP 8735 Pro-Seminar in Learning
- EP 8741 Pro-Seminar in Human Development
Statistics and Research Methods
- ED 5325 Introduction to Statistics and Research
- EP 5529 Tests and Measurements
- EP 8625 Intermediate Educational Statistics
- EP 8627 Introduction to Research Design
Course Logistics:
Most courses are offered in the evening to accommodate working professionals. The length of time to complete the doctoral degree program varies depending upon the number of courses taken each semester. Students may matriculate in either part-time or full-time capacity (except during the Ph.D. residency period).
Admissions Requirements:
Students must submit:
- A completed application form from the Graduate School.
- Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work.
- Official score reports from either the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Scores must be current within the last 5 years.
- Students for whom English is their second language must also submit TOEFL scores. Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, or 100 internet-based.
- A personal statement of goals and scholarly interests, and any evidence of ability to succeed in a graduate program. Applicants should indicate their goals and objectives for obtaining a Ph.D. degree. This statement is evaluated against the program's mission. A typical goal statement contains the following items: the applicant's reason for seeking a Ph.D. degree, with a specific focus on the career to which s/he aspires; her/his research interests; and academic and job-related experiences, relevant to the program. A typical goal statement is 2 to 3 pages in length.
- Three letters of recommendation. At least one letter should be from a college or university faculty member.
- A current professional resume.
- All students applying for the Ph.D. degree program will be asked, when possible, to come for a personal interview with the Admissions Committee.
Submitting Your Materials
The Office of Graduate Academic & Student Affairs in the College of Education at Temple University receives supporting application materials for graduate admissions via the Interfolio service. See the Application Checklist for complete details on how to submit your application materials.
It is the student's responsibility to see that everything is completed by the deadline date.
Application deadlines:
To be considered for admission, your complete application, including all required supplemental materials must be post-marked no later than:
- For Fall admission: February 1
- Completed applications received by the deadline are guaranteed a decision for the upcoming term. Applications received after the stated deadlines will be reviewed on a space available basis.
We strongly encourage applicants to apply early and to periodically check TUPortal (http://tuportal.temple.edu) as to the status of their materials.
