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Educational Psychology (PSE)
Doctorate Program (Ph.D.)

Program Description:

The program’s mission is to advance the understanding of learning, cognition, human development, and instructional technology 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 ,
    • Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work.
    • A personal statement of goals and scholarly interests, and any evidence of ability to succeed in a graduate program.
    • Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a college or university faculty member.
    • Scores on the Graduate Record Exam.
    • Students for whom English is their second language must also submit TOEFL scores.

All students applying for the Ph.D. degree program will be asked, when possible, to come for a personal interview with the Admissions Committee.

Deadlines:

To be considered for admission, your complete application, including all required supplemental materials must be submitted no later than:

November 1st for spring admission.

January 1st for fall admission. Students seeking fellowships or assistantships must apply for fall admission.

Contact Information:

For further information about the Educational Psychology Ph.D. Program, please contact:

William Fullard, Ph.D.
Chair, Admissions Committee
phone: 215- 204-6022
e-mail: William.Fullard@temple.edu

Dept. of Psychological Studies in Education
College of Education
Temple University
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6091