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Residential

Educational Psychology and Research Methodology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Studies

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OVERVIEW

Advance Your Career

Our PhD program prepares students to be leaders in research about human cognition, development, motivation, and learning in education contexts, and their measurement.  Our internationally-recognized faculty members offer students strong, individualized mentoring and rich experiences designing and conducting research to extend your skillset.

We equip graduates for careers that create knowledge and improve the welfare of children, families, and school communities.  Our graduates work as professors, learning analysts, psychometricians, program evaluators, and education specialists at research institutions, education agencies and school systems, and educational technology and testing companies.

The PhD program requires a dissertation and 60 hours of graduate credit beyond a completed master’s degree.  These plans of study include 45 to 50 credit hours of graduate courses and 10 to 15 credit hours of dissertation research designed by each student with the approval of their advisory committee. Our framework for a PhD plan of study is outlined in the “Courses” section below.

This residential program has rolling admission.  An application will be reviewed for admission and funding decisions when it is fully complete and submitted, with application fees paid or waived. For a list of all required materials for this program application, please see the “Admissions” section.

What degree is conferred upon satisfactory completion of this program?

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Studies with a concentration of Educational Psychology and Research Methodology. The transcript shows an abbreviated name for the concentration (“Educational Psychology”), and the diploma states the degree objective.

90
Credit Program
Dec 1
Fall Application Deadline December 1 is the deadline for applicants interested in being considered for any available PhD funding. Applications are accepted until April 1 for all other applicants.
Oct 1
Spring Application Deadline
Feb 1
Summer Application Deadline

Courses

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Courses

15 credits

Students should consult with their advisor prior to registration for these courses.

  • EDPS 53300, Introduction to Research in Education, or equivalent course as approved by the faculty advisor (3 credits)
  • Two Foundational Statistics Courses (6 credits)
    • One from the following list: EDPS 55600, STAT 50100, STAT 51100, PSY 60000, or SOC 58000
    • One from the following list: EDPS 55700, STAT 50200, STAT 51200, PSY 60100, or SOC 68000
  • One Advanced Statistics, Research Methods and/or Measurement Course pre-approved by the department (3 credits)
  • One departmental advanced research methods course (3):
    • EDPS 63000 – Research Procedures in Education, or equivalent course as approved by the faculty advisor (3 credits)

Two Educational Psychology courses (6):

  • EDPS 53000 – Cognition and Learning in Context
  • EDPS 53600 – Achievement Motivation and Performance

Nine credits of enrollment in Variable Title/Variable Credit Seminars (9)

Four electives by advisement. Must be different from courses taken to meet requirements in II above (12)

Three electives by advisement from an area of study outside of educational psychology (must be different from courses taken to meet Requirements in II & III above). (9)

Multiple enrollments in EDPS 69900 (Research PhD Thesis) are expected while working on the thesis. Typically, students take 15-21 hours of EDPS 69900 credit for a PhD degree. (15)

Total Credits: 90, including up to 30 credits from one previous Master’s degree

supplemental info

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Areas of Specialization

Typical specializations include:

  • Cognition and Learning
  • Motivation
  • Self-Regulated Learning
  • Educational Measurement
  • Data Analytics
  • Personal-Social Development and Schooling

See Educational Psychology and Research Methodology Faculty for their areas of expertise.

Admissions

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Admissions

Please review the Application Requirements and How to Apply sections below before submitting an application. Questions about the application process can be directed to our program faculty or the Office of Graduate Studies. All materials and the application fee must be submitted by each deadline for an application to be reviewed for admission consideration.

A completed master’s degree is not required for admission to this program.

Below are the materials required for this application. Visit the Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) website for more information about the requirements below.

  • Transcripts (from all universities attended)
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • 3 Recommendations
  • Resume/CV
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • GRE Scores
  • International Applicants must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars

We encourage prospective students to submit an application early, even if not all required materials are uploaded. Applications are not forwarded on for faculty review until all required materials are uploaded.

When submitting your application for this program, please select the following options:

  • Campus and Program Tab:
    • Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
    • Select your proposed graduate major: Educational Studies
  • First Choice Program Details Tab:
    • Please select an Area of Interest: Educational Psychology
    • Please select a Degree Objective: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    • Primary Course Delivery: Residential

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Licensure

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Licensure Information

This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) before continuing with the program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.

program FACULTY

Learn From the Experts

Explore how Purdue’s faculty for the residential PhD in Educational Psychology and Research Methodology can prepare you to help all students learn.

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Hua Hua Chang

Charles R. Hicks Chair Professor, Professor of Statistics (Courtesy)

Brenda K. Downing

Clinical Instructor

Joseph Eisman

Visiting Assistant Professor

Qi (Helen) Huang

Assistant Professor

Elizabeth Kraatz

Clinical Assistant Professor

Yukiko Maeda

Professor

August Twopearls Masonheimer

Clinical Assistant Professor

Toni Kempler Rogat

Associate Department Head

Anne Traynor

Associate Professor

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