Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Educational Psychology and Research Major, PhD


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Concentrations (Required)

Adult Learning

Applied Educational Psychology

Evaluation, Statistics, and Measurement

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

  • Adult Learning
    • Students must submit an online graduate application to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Following a review of applications, an interview with the faculty is required. Admissions decisions are made on a holistic basis to discern the candidate’s promise for doctoral study and to ascertain the match of the candidate’s educational goals with the resources and goals of the program/department.
    • A Master’s degree is not required for students who apply for admission to the concentration. For students who are admitted to the concentration, prior graduate work will be examined on a case-by-case basis as it might be used to satisfy the overall course requirements of the concentration.
  • Applied Educational Psychology
    • Admission to the Concentration will be based on
    • successful completion of a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology or a related field such as teacher education,
    • GRE scores,
    • grade point average at all collegiate levels,
    • statement of career goals, and
    • professional references.
    • Other prior graduate work will be examined on a case-by-case basis to determine if it can be used to satisfy some course requirements for the PhD concentration.
    • Entering students must have completed graduate coursework in life-span human development, learning theory, and introductory research.
  • Evaluation, Statistics, and Measurement
    • A Master’s degree is not required for students who apply for admission to the ESM concentration. For students who are admitted to the concentration, prior graduate work will be examined on a case-by-case basis as it might be used to satisfy the overall course requirements of the concentration.
    • Admission to the Concentration will be based on
    • Grade point average at all collegiate levels
    • Statement of career goals
    • Letter of introduction and curriculum vita
    • At least 2 professional references
    • GRE scores

Adult Learning Concentration

The doctoral concentration in adult learning helps to develop professional who can work effectively with adult learners in a wide range of settings and under a host of situations. This internationally recognized graduate program offers learning experiences that prepare individuals to work with a diverse range of adult learners, preparing them to live and work in an increasingly globalized knowledge societies, and more culturally sensitive environments. The Adult Learning Concentration in the EPR program prepares students for careers as scholars and practitioners who work with adult learners in a wide range of settings. The program consists of (1) continuous research or inquiry, (2) courses and professional experiences in educational psychology and other related fields designed to develop a comprehensive academic basis for future work in research and teaching, and (3) other learning and developmental experiences tailored to individual needs and career goals. Each student works closely with an advisor and a faculty committee who help guide students through the entire process of doctoral study.

Credit Hours Required

85 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

  • Basic Core Courses (21 credit hours)
  • Advanced Core Courses (13 credit hours)
  • Research Methods (15 credit hours)
    • Research courses must include classes in research methods, quantitative methodology, and qualitative research, as well as two additional courses as approved by the student’s advisor.
  • Electives (12 credit hours)
    • Students, in consultation with their advisor, must select four courses that complement their professional focus.
  • Dissertation (24 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

  • The curriculum is structured in terms of a core, an advanced core, research methods requirements, a cognate, electives, and dissertation research. In most cases, students will be expected to successfully complete requisite 500-level courses or their equivalents prior to enrolling in advanced courses at the 600-level. Courses that constitute the several areas of the curriculum are shown above. In some circumstances, a student may substitute other courses upon approval by his or her major advisor.

Non-Course Requirements

  • Doctoral candidates work closely with their advisor to complete a dissertation proposal. A candidate will present the proposal to the dissertation committee, and once approved by all committee members, will begin work on the dissertation research. With the advisor’s approval, the candidate will schedule an oral defense for the dissertation. During the dissertation defense, the candidate will present the work completed for the dissertation, which will be reviewed by the dissertation committee.

Applied Educational Psychology Concentration

The Applied Educational Psychology (AEP) concentration represents all major areas of traditional Educational Psychology, including learning, development, measurement, instructional strategies, and academic assessment.

Credit Hours Required

72 graduate credit hours beyond a master’s degree

Required Courses

  • Professional Development Core (6 credit hours)
  • Advanced Core Courses (21 credit hours)
  • Research Methods (15 credit hours)
  • Cognate (6 credit hours)
    • Students choose at least two courses from one of the following areas for a cognate: Gifted/Talented Learners, Instructional Strategies in Special Education, Educational Technology or Instructional Technology, Higher Education Administration, or Cultural Studies in Education. Other cognates may be negotiated with the Applied Educational Psychology faculty.
    • Note: Students planning to work toward BCBA certification will need to complete SPED 430  and SPED 555  to satisfy the Cognate requirement for the AEP PhD or in addition to another Cognate.
  • Dissertation (24 credit hours)

EDPY 600  

Non-Course Requirements

  • Doctoral candidates work closely with their advisor to complete a dissertation proposal. A candidate will present the proposal to the dissertation committee, and once approved by all committee members, will begin work on the dissertation research. With the advisor’s approval, the candidate will schedule an oral defense for the dissertation. During the dissertation defense, the candidate will present the work completed for the dissertation, which will be reviewed by the dissertation committee.

Evaluation, Statistics, and Measurement Concentration

The Evaluation, Statistics, and Measurement (ESM) concentration is designed to (a) provide students with broad but rigorous skills so they can function, upon graduation, as esteemed professionals, (b) generate scholarship that is relevant to and appreciated by scholars external to the University of Tennessee who work in areas of evaluation, applied statistics, and measurement, and (c) achieve a reputation, nationally and internationally, as the preferred place where highly qualified students and faculty members want to study and work. This concentration combines elements of theory, methods, and hands-on applications to provide students with relevant knowledge, skills, and dispositions for engaging in research, teaching, and/or the practice of evaluation, statistics, or measurement.

Credit Hours Required

Minimum of 90 graduate credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree

Required Courses

Non-Course Requirements

  • Doctoral candidates work closely with their advisor to complete a dissertation proposal. A candidate will present the proposal to the dissertation committee, and once approved by all committee members, will begin work on the dissertation research. With the advisor’s approval, the candidate will schedule an oral defense for the dissertation. During the dissertation defense, the candidate will present the work completed for the dissertation, which will be reviewed by the dissertation committee.

 

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