Educational Psychology and Counseling

Return to: College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

http://web.utk.edu/%7Eedpsych/

R. Steve McCallum, Head
Tricia McClam, Associate Head, Graduate Program Director

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND RESEARCH

Educational psychology and research offers individuals a choice of two concentrations at the master’s level and four PhD concentrations. These options meet the needs of students with varying interests within the broad field of educational psychology. The areas of adult education, applied educational psychology, collaborative learning, and evaluation and assessment are linked by a common interest in human  development, teaching and learning, and methods of inquiry. Educational psychology prepares students with diverse backgrounds for leadership roles in education across the life span and in facilitation of improved professional practices. Together, a community of learners is created and students and faculty members regularly share with and learn from one another through collaborative scholarship. Graduates are employed in such areas as higher education, K-12 education, business and industry, nonprofit, and community service agencies.

Adult Education

http://web.utk.edu/~edpsych/adult_ed/phd.html

The adult education program is designed for those interested in providing learning opportunities for adults. It is intended for educators of adults in a wide range of settings such as adult literacy, continuing higher education, business and industry, government and community-based organizations, volunteer agencies, and professional and staff development programs. The program prepares individuals for such roles as program planner, instructor, trainer, and administrator.

Applied Educational Psychology

http://web.utk.edu/~edpsych/grad/app_ed_psych/

The applied educational psychology program is designed for individuals who seek to provide professional leadership in either (a) the facilitation of learning or development (master’s and doctoral levels) or (b) applied statistics and measurement (doctoral level). Those specializing in learning and development have an opportunity to focus on the needs of underachieving and nontraditional learners through application of cognitive education and social constructivist approaches.

Those focusing on applied statistics and measurement prepare for careers in a wide range of settings such as higher education, K-12 education, and research institutions.

Collaborative Learning

http://web.utk.edu/~edpsych/grad/collab_learning/default.html

The collaborative learning program addresses the advanced educational needs of professionals working in a variety of settings including business, government, higher education, and non-profit organizations. Participants study the collaborative learning process and engage in action research in the context of their own professional practices. A cohort of doctoral students is admitted every other year.

Evaluation and Assessment

The evaluation and assessment concentration is designed for students interested in pursuing careers as evaluators of learning needs and outcomes in educational settings. The program encompasses the evaluation requirements and needs of diverse educational settings across the P-16 continuum, as well as educational endeavors conducted under the auspices of private, profit and non-profit organizations. The concentration includes course work in program (and project) evaluation, classroom assessment, and personnel evaluation systems. This concentration combines elements of evaluation theory, evaluation and assessment methods, and hands-on applications to provide students with relevant knowledge and skills for engaging in research and/or the practice of educational evaluation.

COUNSELING

The programs within the counseling area prepare individuals as professional counselors and counselor educators in community mental health, human service, and rehabilitation agencies; educational institutions; private practice; government; business; and industrial settings. The courses of study focus on professional identity, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment, and research and program evaluation. The degrees offered are Master of Science with a major in counseling (concentrations in mental health counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling); Specialist in Education with a major in school counseling; Doctor of Philosophy with a major in counselor education. The MS and EdS programs provide course work required to obtain licensure. The mental health counseling, school counseling, and doctoral programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The graduate program in rehabilitation counseling is service oriented and is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education, Inc. (CORE). It leads to certification from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Education (CRCC).

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY

http://web.utk.edu/~edpsych/school_psychology/

The school psychology programs are based on a data-based decision-making model and offer advanced training in psychological, educational, and professional foundations including training in assessment, research, consultation, and intervention. Two degree programs are offered – the Specialist in Education (EdS) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The school psychology programs are designed to meet accreditation requirements of relevant bodies including the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Tennessee Department of Education. Information about current accreditation status can be obtained from the website. Admission occurs once a year and materials are due by January 15.

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