Educational Psychology, MEd

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The MEd program in Educational Psychology is directed toward increasing students’ competence in educational inquiry. In general, the domain of inquiry encompasses human learning and development in the context of education and measurement, evaluation, and applied statistics in education. Courses are offered in the areas of human learning, cognition, and development; statistics, measurement, evaluation, and research design and methodology. The program prepares students to provide instruction and consultation appropriate for all educational levels and conduct basic and applied research and evaluation in public and private educational settings.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the application form required by Graduate Division, prospective students must submit:

Department of Educational Psychology statement of purpose and research experience.
Three recommendation forms attesting to academic and professional strengths. Academic recommendations are preferred.
A curriculum vitae or resume.
Transcript(s) of all prior undergraduate and graduate course work to Graduate Division.
For non-native speakers of English, a minimum TOEFL score of 600/100 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (overall band test results) unless waived in accordance with Graduate Division guidelines.

Note: Applications for admission to the MEd program must be received by March 1 for the fall semester and by October 1 for the spring semester.

Degree Requirements

After admission, the student and their temporary advisor detail a program of study, which includes a minimum of 30 credits for Plan A (Thesis) and Plan B (Non-thesis) candidates. Courses at or above the 400 level may be applied to an individual’s program of study, though a minimum of 18 credits must be earned in courses numbered 600-798. Up to 12 credits completed prior to admission to the program may be transferred for credit toward the degree.

A minimum residency of two semesters of full-time study or the equivalent in credits at UH Mānoa is required. Relatively soon after entering the program, students are expected to choose between Plan A and Plan B options.

Students are required to take as part of their 30 credits:

Students must receive a grade no lower than B- for all core courses.

EDEP 601 - Introduction to Quantitative Methods Credits: 3
EDEP 608 - Introduction to Educational Research Credits: 3
EDEP 611 - Graduate Introduction to Educational Psychology Credits: 3
EDEP 661 - Development and Learning Credits: 3
EDEP 768 - (Alpha) Seminar in Educational Psychology Credits: 3
And one of the following:
EDEP 602 - Survey Research Design and Analysis Credits: 3
EDEP 604 - Applied Regression and Analysis of Variance Credits: 3
OR
EDEP 613 - Qualitative Research Methods in Education Credits: 3

Plan A (Thesis)

Students whose objective is doctoral study are recommended to define a Plan A program of study at the master’s level. Plan A candidates must take at least 6 credits of thesis research (EDEP 700 ). At the discretion of the thesis chair, up to five credits of EDEP 699 , previously completed, may be substituted for five of the six EDEP 700 credits. Graduate Division requires that a minimum of 12 credits must be earned in courses numbered 600-798, in addition to six credits of directed reading (EDEP 699 ) and thesis research (EDEP 700 ).

The development of a thesis proposal is concurrent with the selection of a thesis chair and committee. The proposal includes a literature review that contextualizes the research question(s) within existing research and theory. The proposal also includes a description of the proposed research design and methods, including how the data will be analyzed. Students work with their thesis chair to develop their proposal. After the thesis proposal is defended and approved, and Human Studies Program approval is received, Master’s Form II is submitted to Graduate Division, and the student may enroll in thesis research (EDEP 700 ) at the beginning of the next academic semester. Students must register for at least one EDEP 700 credit during the semester in which they graduate and apply for graduation by the appropriate deadline.

It is the responsibility of the student to keep all members of the thesis committee informed of the scope, plan, and progress of the thesis research. Copies of the completed thesis that are approved by the thesis chair must be submitted to committee members at least two weeks prior to the date of the final oral examination by the student committee. Upon successful defense of the thesis and subsequent completion of revisions, Master’s Form III is submitted to Graduate Division. When the final edited document is submitted to Graduate Division, Form IV should be submitted at the same time.

Plan B (Nonthesis)

The culminating requirement is a Plan B project/paper, an original educational inquiry resulting in a product that informs educational practice. The development of a Plan B project is concurrent with the selection of a Plan B advisor. Students develop a 8-10 page proposal outlining their projects that are then approved by both their Plan B advisor and a second reader that the student and advisor selects. Not more than 6 credits in directed reading/research (EDEP 699 ) may be applied to meet degree requirements. A presentation of the Plan B project/ paper is required during the final semester.

If candidates are not enrolled in other courses, they must be enrolled in at least one credit of EDEP 699 - Directed Reading and/or Research . Students must apply for graduation when registering for their final semester of study.