Educational Psychology and Research, Ph.D.

Program Description

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

Educational Research Concentration

Core skills acquired in the educational research concentration 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.

Educational Psychology Concentration

The focus of the educational psychology concentration is to develop a sound knowledge base of both the biological and psychological factors that influence human learning and their relationship to the educational setting. Included are the applications of principles of learning to instruction and classroom situations, cognitive processes, the relationship of human development to the processes of learning, and methods to critique and analyze fundamental educational psychology research areas. Core skills acquired include using quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. This concentration is appropriate for qualified individuals who wish to assume a university faculty position and/or conduct research, as well as those who are responsible for classroom learning in other areas of education and industry.

Learning Outcomes

  1. 1. Students will understand contemporary psychological theories of\\ndevelopment, learning, and related factors (e.g., cognition, motivation) and apply these in educational research.
  2. Students will design high quality studies to address complex research questions.
  3. Students will use modern principles of measurement and statistical analysis necessary for the valid estimation of constructs and relations among constructs.
  4. Students will conduct rigorous independent research that makes contributions about educational and psychological constructs or methodological advances.
  5. Students will adhere to current professional standards to effectively communicate research results.

Specialized Competencies for Psychology Track

  • Students will demonstrate mastery of Principles of Learning, Cognition, and Human Development.
  • Students will develop a Knowledge Base in a Related Area.
  • Students will develop expertise in Analyzing and Critiquing Research in the Discipline.
  • Students will demonstrate proficiency in Designing, Implementing, and Reporting an Original Study.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of Ethical Procedures for Protecting the Rights of Human Subjects in Educational Research.
  • Students will develop and present research in a Fair, Complete, and Objective Manner.

Specialized Competencies for Research Track

  • Students will demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the general Principles and Design Issues in Research and Evaluation.   
  • Students will demonstrate an advanced knowledge of Measurement and Assessment Issues in Theory and in Practice.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of advanced Statistical Procedures and the Interpretation of Results of Various Statistical Designs.
  • Students will demonstrate an expertise in the Development and Presentation of Research that Includes Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of Ethics, Fairness, and Professionalism as Related to the Field of Educational Research.

Admission

Requirements and deadlines for admission to this degree program are described on the Application Requirements by program list on the USC Graduate School’s website.

Degree Requirements (60 Hours)

Minimum hours required:  

  • 60 hours post-baccalaureate;  
  • 60 hours post-masters (for students entering with a masters in another field);  
  • 42 hours post-masters (for students entering with an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology and Research or an equivalent degree)

Completing the degree in 42 post-masters hours is possible for students who have previously completed a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Research or an equivalent master’s program. To complete the Ph.D. program, all requirements listed in the curriculum below must be met with prior coursework or taken as part of the Ph.D. Students entering with this master's degree will have their transcripts reviewed by an advisor to determine courses and credit hours needed to complete the Ph.D., but must complete a minimum of 42 hours in the Ph.D. 

The total number of hours required may vary depending on prior graduate coursework completed, but must be no less than the hours stated above. Based on the curriculum described below, a program of study will be developed with the student’s advisor and must be approved by the Graduate Director and the Dean of the Graduate School. Courses listed on the program of study must be completed no more than 10 years prior to graduation. 

Requirements (60 Hours)

Students will complete all Core Requirements and then must select a concentration in either Educational Psychology or Educational Research.

Course Title Credits
Core Requirements (27 hours)
EDPY 704The Field of Educational Psychology 13
EDRM 710Educational Statistics I 1, 23
EDRM 711Educational Statistics II 1, 23
EDRM 718Research and the Statistical Packages 1, 23
EDRM 728Technical Aspects of Tests and Measurements 1, 23
EDRM 899Dissertation Preparation12
Educational Psychology Concentration (33 hours)
EDPY 741
Basic Processes: Cognition
EDPY 751
Learning and Instruction
EDPY 752
Research Methods in Educational Psychology
EDPY 785
Motivation and School Learning
Select two of the following:
EDPY 705
Human Growth and Development
EDPY 706
Growth and Development: Childhood
EDPY 707
Growth and Development: Middle Childhood and Adolescence
EDPY 708
Growth and Development: Adulthood
Seminar Courses (6 hours):
Select one of the following (3 hours):
EDPY 805
Contemporary Research in Human Development and Education 2
EDPY 835
Educational Psychology
EDPY 873
Advanced Problems in Educational Psychology
Select one of the following (3 hours):
EDPY 805
Contemporary Research in Human Development and Education 2
EDPY 835
Educational Psychology
EDPY 873
Advanced Problems in Educational Psychology
EDRM 889
Advanced Principles and Application of Latent Variable Modeling 2
EDRM 878
Seminar in Research Techniques 2
Electives (9 hours): 3
Measurement:
EDRM 723
Classroom Assessment Methods 2
EDRM 724
Survey Design and Analysis 2
EDRM 789
Principles and Applications of Structural Equation Modeling 2
EDRM 828
Item Response Theory 2
Quantitative:
EDRM 712
Nonparametric Statistics 2
EDRM 810
Design and Analysis of Experiments 2
EDRM 812
Hierarchical Linear Modeling 2
EDRM 816
Correlational and Multivariate Methods 2
Qualitative:
EDFI 731
Qualitative Inquiry 2
EDFI 833
Narrative Inquiry 2
EDRM 715
Mixed Methods Research 2
Educational Research Concentration (33 hours)
EDRM 712
Nonparametric Statistics 2
EDRM 789
Principles and Applications of Structural Equation Modeling 2
EDRM 810
Design and Analysis of Experiments 2
EDRM 812
Hierarchical Linear Modeling 2
EDRM 816
Correlational and Multivariate Methods 2
EDRM 828
Item Response Theory 2
Seminar Courses (6 hours):
Select one of the following:
EDRM 889
Advanced Principles and Application of Latent Variable Modeling 2
EDRM 878
Seminar in Research Techniques 2
Select one of the following:
EDPY 805
Contemporary Research in Human Development and Education 2
EDPY 835
Educational Psychology
EDPY 873
Advanced Problems in Educational Psychology
EDRM 889
Advanced Principles and Application of Latent Variable Modeling 2
EDRM 878
Seminar in Research Techniques 2
Electives (9 hours):
Select 9 hours of EDPY/EDRM Electives from:
EDPY 705
Human Growth and Development
EDPY 706
Growth and Development: Childhood
EDPY 707
Growth and Development: Middle Childhood and Adolescence
EDPY 708
Growth and Development: Adulthood
EDPY 741
Basic Processes: Cognition
EDPY 751
Learning and Instruction
EDPY 752
Research Methods in Educational Psychology
EDPY 785
Motivation and School Learning
EDPY 805
Contemporary Research in Human Development and Education
EDPY 835
Educational Psychology
EDPY 873
Advanced Problems in Educational Psychology
EDRM 715
Mixed Methods Research 2
EDRM 889
Advanced Principles and Application of Latent Variable Modeling 2
EDRM 878
Seminar in Research Techniques 2
Course offerings in other programs (e.g., Statistics, Psychology, Epidemiology, etc.) may be selected with advisor/program of study approval
1

A grade of B or higher is required.

2

May be used to satisfy the College of Education 18 hour research requirement.

3

Educational Psychology students are encouraged to take EDRM electives from below.  Students can take courses from different topics for a total of 9 hours of electives.  Other courses not on this list may meet elective requirements with prior approval from the advisor and/or in consultation with the program of studies committee.