This degree program is designed for students seeking a broad foundation in educational psychology. It is valuable to students with specific interests across the areas of human development, learning, individual differences and special education, measurement and evaluation, and research methods. A track (described below) within the MS degree satisfies the New York State professional teacher certification requirements for applicants who have initial teaching certificates. For students who have provisional teaching certification and wish to gain permanent certification, this degree will provide the appropriate coursework. (Note: New York State also requires two years of teaching experience for permanent certification.)

Admission and program requirements differ somewhat according to the student’s goal in completing the MS degree. Applicants must specify if their purpose in completing the MS degree is to gain teacher certification. There are special admission requirements for such applicants, and the course selections are more narrowly specified, as described below.

General MS Track

The general MS degree program is intended for students who desire a broad foundation in graduate study in educational psychology. The program focus is on the research base of educational psychology. This prepares students for further advanced graduate work in psychology or education.

Admission Requirements

1. Baccalaureate degree.
2. Prior coursework: 12 or more credits of undergraduate work or graduate coursework in psychology, educational psychology, education, or related fields as evidenced by official transcripts.
3. GPA: a 3.0 (out of 4.0) or better grade point average, or a 3.5 GPA in 9 credits of graduate coursework, or excellent scores on the GRE.
4. Personal statement: A well-written essay that reflects the applicant’s knowledge of and interest in educational psychology and methodology, and reveals a match between the applicant’s goals and the program offerings.
5. Letters of recommendation: Three letters of recommendation, including at least two letters from instructors or professors familiar with the applicant’s previous academic work.
6. Diversity among student backgrounds and views is desired. To this end, the admissions committee also considers applicants’ accomplishments and personal qualities as reflected in their application statements and recommendation letters.
7. TOEFL scores for international applicants whose primary language is not English: A minimum score of 213 is required.
8. Questionnaire: Applicants must submit the MS applicants’ questionnaire which is available on the division website.
9. Resume: Optional.

Program of Study for the General MS Degree
Candidates for the degree must complete a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit as approved by their faculty advisor that satisfies the requirements listed below.

1. A foundational core of 6 courses (18 credits) at the 500/600 level must be completed by all students. At least 3 of these courses must be completed within the division. This core includes one course in each of the following areas:
   Development
   Learning
   Individual differences and special education
   Research methods
   Measurement and evaluation
   Statistics
2. Of the remaining 12 credits, 3 courses (9 credits) should be taken within the division (at least 6 hours of these at the 600 or above level), and 1 course (3 credits) outside the division.
3. Within the 30 credits, the student should complete a special project. This may be satisfied by completing EPsy 680 (Research Project in Educational Psychology). Students may also fulfill this requirement by completing EPsy 697 (Independent Study in Educational Psychology), or EPsy 699 (Master’s Thesis), if 697 or 699 are equivalent in scope to the special project of 680.

Professional Teaching Certification Track
This track within the MS program has been designed to meet the 2004 New York State professional teaching certification requirements. It provides students with expertise derived from the field of educational psychology, so that they may use that expertise to enhance the teaching of children. It is anticipated that graduates will either apply the knowledge and expertise directly in their own teaching, or will make their expertise available to other educators in the settings in which they work. Students learn how to derive information from research and theoretical literature in educational psychology, how to evaluate the credibility of that information, and how to apply it to inform classroom practice, especially in regard to relevant New York State Learning Standards. Students gain the critical attitude and tools, including technological tools, to be lifelong discerning scholars of education, and thus caring professionals.

Admission Requirements for the Professional Teaching Certification Track

1. A New York State initial teaching certification at the Childhood Education and/or Middle Childhood Education level.
2. Prior coursework: 12 or more credits of undergraduate or graduate coursework in psychology, educational psychology, education, or related fields, as evidenced by official transcripts.
3. GPA; a 3.0 (out of 4.0) or better grade point average, or a 3.5 GPA in 9 credits of graduate coursework, or excellent scores on the GRE.
4. Personal Statement: A well-written essay that reflects the applicant’s knowledge of and interest in educational psychology and methodology, and reveals a match between the applicant’s stated goals of gaining professional teaching certification and program offerings.
5. Letters of recommendation: Three letters of recommendation, including at least two letters from instructors or professors familiar with the applicant’s previous academic work.
6. Diversity among student backgrounds and views is desired. To this end, the admissions committee also considers applicants’ accomplishments and personal qualities as reflected in their application statements and recommendation letters.
7. Questionnaire: Applicants must submit the MS Applicant Questionnaire, which is available on the division website.