Learning
and cognition/educational technology
The psychological
foundations of education track within the College’s
Department of Educational Psychology offers opportunities to focus in
several different areas of specialized study. Study plans usually are
individualized according to the student’s interests and goals, structured
with the guidance of the graduate adviser, and require minimal core
coursework.
How do humans make decisions and solve problems? What is the nature of
intelligence and how does it develop? What are the elements of effective
teaching? How does the brain allow us to make sense of letters printed on a
page? How do we learn to describe the world in mathematical terms? What
allows our brains to make connections between cause and effect? Students in
the field of learning and cognition explore the central aspects of human
cognitive development. In the process of those studies they can prepare for
a variety of careers: research and teaching in higher education, directors
of testing, instructional designers, evaluation specialists, and computer
programmers. Coursework includes core classes such as statistics,
measurement, learning, social psychology, personality, and research methods
as well as a specific focus in learning and cognition studies.
Closely related to learning and cognition theory is educational
technology, a field in which students examine advanced computer software
systems designed to improve learning. Coursework focuses on interactive
learning, dynamic simulations, software and courseware design, adaptive
learning systems, and methods of evaluation. Graduates in educational
technology often go on to careers in research and teaching in higher
education or in K-12 schools, instructional design, computer programming,
distance learning in a variety of settings, and corporate training and
education.
Undergraduates interested in this field should
consider the applied psychology in educational and community settings (APECS)
minor.
Master of arts
(M.A.) degree in education psychology—psychological foundations
Offered through the Graduate
School, our M.A. program emphasizes research and theory in the context
of classroom application. It generally culminates in an extensive research
project and final oral exam. The application procedures and tuition fees
correspond to those of the Graduate School. Program
overview
Doctor of
philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in education psychology—psychological foundations
Our Ph.D. degree is for students interested in
focusing on a particular subject field and includes original research that makes
a significant contribution to knowledge in that field. Students pursuing this
degree are admitted through the Graduate
School. Program
overview
|
