Return to: Curry School of Education and Human Development: Departments/Programs
Master of Education in Educational Psychology - Applied Developmental Science
The M.Ed. in Educational Psychology-Applied Developmental Science prepares students for a career studying or improving the lives of children, adolescents, and even, adults. Students learn how to understand theory and research on the contribution of school and out-of school settings on learning and development. There are four key features of the EP-ADS program. Content in EP-ADS: 1) takes an interdisciplinary perspective, 2) uses rigorous research designs and advanced methods, 3) takes a strength-based approach to understanding the complex challenges faced by children and youth, and 4) chooses applied problems. The ultimate goal is to prepare students for careers in research organizations, non-profit and community organizations that work directly with children and youth, and educational settings (e.g., school districts, charter schools).
Students enroll into either the Applied Research or Applied Professional track. The M.Ed. program involves coursework, an internship experience, and a masters level comprehensive exam.
Core Requirements
The M.Ed. program requires completion of a minimum of 33 credit hours (including the internship). Students take 5 credits in Educational Psychology, 6 credits in Developmental Science, 6 credits of methods courses, 6-12 credits of electives, and a 3-6 credit internship.
Required courses may include:
EDLF 7150 - Educational Psychology 3
EDLF 7290 - Seminar in Educational Psychology
Developmental Science -
Two of the following for a total of 6 credits:
EDLF 5010 - Child Learning and Development 3
EDLF 5011 - Adolescent Learning and Development 3 t
EDLF 5160 - Life Span Development 3
EDLF 5270 - Adult Development and Aging 3
EDLF 5700 - Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity in Youth Development 3
EDLF 5711 - Globalization, Childhood, and Culture 3
Research Methods
EDLF 7404 - Qualitative Analysis 3 or EDLF 7180 - Tests and Measurements 3
One of the following:
EDLF 5310 - Data Management for Social Science Research 3
EDLF 7410 - Mixed Methods Research Design 3
EDLF 5330 - Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis I 3
EDLF 7420 - Quantitative Methods II: General Linear Models 3
EDLF 8310 - Generalized Linear Models 3
In addition:
EDLF 9993 - Independent Study 6 credits for research track, 3-6 credits for applied professional
Electives
- 6 credits for research track
- 9-12 credits for applied professional
Comprehensive Exam
Students complete a comprehensive exam during the last semester of the program.
Public Professional Licensure Disclosure
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
Upon completion of the Master of Education in Educational Psychology at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.
Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
Doctor of Philosophy in Education - Applied Developmental Psychology
The Ph.D. in Educational Psychology-Applied Developmental Science (EP-ADS) prepares students for a research career focused on studying and improving the lives of children, adolescents and even, adults. Students learn how to understand and produce theory and research on the contribution of school and out-of school settings on learning and development. There are four key features of the EP-ADS program. Research in EP-ADS: 1) takes an interdisciplinary perspective, 2) uses rigorous research designs and advanced methods, 3) takes a strength-based approach to understanding the complex challenges faced by children and youth, and 4) chooses applied problems. The ultimate goal is to prepare graduates for research careers in academic settings, research organizations, and/or school and government agencies.
The Ph.D. program involves interdisciplinary coursework, research apprenticeship experiences, university-level teaching, and independent, mentored research. Some students engage in research-practice partnership experiences in state agencies or districts.
Core Requirements
Students must earn a minimum of 72 credits; 60 (or more) must be based on coursework. The remaining 18 credits may be research credits. If students enter with a masters degree, they may apply up to 24 credits from their masters degree toward their doctoral degree. (The masters courses must overlap in content and rigor with the required doctoral courses for this to apply.)
Required Courses may include:
Foundation Courses
EDLF 7150 - Educational Psychology 3
EDLF 7300 - Foundations of Educational Research 3
EDLF 7430 - Education Science Seminar 3 (VEST fellows only)
Human Development
EDLF 7420 - Quantitative Methods II: General Linear Models 3 , EDLF 7210 - Adolescent Development 3 or EDLF 5270 - Adult Development and Aging 3 (choose 2 for a total of 6 credits)
Topical Development Course related to specialization (3 credits)
Methods and Statistics
EDLF 7420 - Quantitative Methods II: General Linear Models 3
EDLF 8310 - Generalized Linear Models 3
EDLF 8350 - Multivariate Statistics 3
EDLF 7404 - Qualitative Analysis 3
EDLF 5310 - Data Management for Social Science Research 3 (optional)
Methods Specialization
Seminar in Advanced Methods (3 credits)
One Additional methods class (3 credits)
Interdisciplinary Specialization
Four courses organized around a content specialty:
6 credits from Curry, 6 credits from outside Curry (total of 12 credits)
Teaching
Internship in College teaching (3 credits)
Research Experiences
EDLF 9993 - Independent Study , or EDLF 9998 - Doctoral Research Apprenticeship (total of 18 credits)
EDLF 9999 - Doctoral Dissertation (24 credits)
Additional Requirements
Students complete a research paper by the end of their second year, a comprehensive exam during their third year, and a dissertation (including proposal, proposal defense, written dissertation, dissertation defense) in their final year of the program. Students must complete at least one semester of an internship in college teaching. Students have the opportunity to engage in a research partnership experience during their third or fourth year.
Culminating Experience
Students must complete the doctoral dissertation in accordance with the Curry School doctoral dissertation guidelines.
