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Program Description

The doctoral program in educational psychology and research at the University of South Carolina offers two tracks. Students choose either the educational psychology track or the educational research track.

Educational Psychology Track. The focus of the educational psychology track is to develop an understanding of both the psychological factors that influence human learning and their relationship to the educational setting. Included are the applications of principles of learning to classroom situations, human cognition and information-processing models, the relationship of human development to the processes of learning, and methods to critique and analyze research on human learning and cognition. This track is appropriate for qualified individuals who wish to teach and/or conduct research, as well as those who are responsible for classroom learning in other areas of education and industry.

Educational Research Track. Core skills acquired in the educational research track include using measurement and statistics, evaluating programs, designing research, constructing tests, and using computer statistical packages to analyze data. In addition to university faculty positions, graduates in research and measurement serve as directors and coordinators of educational research in school districts, government agencies, and the private sector.

Students may enter the doctoral program with a master’s degree in any of a number of fields. Students with only an undergraduate degree may wish to earn a master’s degree in educational research before entering the doctoral program.

Admission

To be considered for admission, all of The Graduate School’s application requirements, curriculum vitae, a letter of intent that delineates the applicant’s professional goals and specific interest in the degree and specifies the track (educational psychology or educational research) applied for, and three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s professional potential in the chosen area of interest must be on file in The Graduate School, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208. Review of applications takes place in October and February.

Program of Study

Doctoral students must complete residency requirements, a program of study, a qualifying examination, and a comprehensive (written and oral) examination and, finally, must complete and defend a dissertation. In addition to a required 30 hours in the area of specialization, course work also includes 9 hours outside of the educational psychology and research program area in the College of Education, 12 hours in related electives, and 12 hours in dissertation credit. Full-time students require approximately two to three years to complete course work. Part-time students will take somewhat longer to complete the degree.