Educational Psychology (Doctoral Preparation): MS in Psychology

Students in this course are introduced to Walden University and to the requirements for successful participation in an online curriculum. Students build a foundation for academic and professional success as social change agents. They assess the relationship of Walden's mission and vision to professional goals. They establish connections with their peers and the broader Walden community. Students engage in course assignments focused on the practical application of scholarly writing, critical-thinking skills, academic integrity, ethics, and the promotion of professional and academic excellence within the field of psychology.

In this course, students are introduced to theories, research, and themes that form the tenets of psychology. Basic theoretical models are reviewed, including psychodynamic, cognitive, developmental, social learning/sociocognitive, behaviorist, learning and motivation, systems, biopsychosocial, and gender theories. Theories encompassing diverse populations, including cross-cultural and feminist theories, are also covered. Students critically examine the strengths and limitations of these theories and their utility in the field of psychology. Contemporary themes in psychology are explored, with an emphasis on application of theories designed to effect positive social change. 

In this course, students are provided with an advanced overview of development through the lifespan, including prenatal, childhood, adolescent, adult, and late adult phases. Basic developmental processes and theories are examined and applied to developmental milestones that occur within these phases of development. Themes of diversity are highlighted throughout the course. Additional topics include ethics, research, global perspectives, and social change.

Students in this course explore the cultural components, research, and theory of cross-cultural psychology. In addition to the previously listed goals, students focus on the impact that culture has on the field of psychology around the world. The scope of this course is broad, with the core theme being cross-cultural psychology (focusing on cultures representing different parts of the world) and comparing cultural influence on human psychology. Many of the topics addressed are related to human development. Additionally, interactions among culture and social behaviors, health, mental health, and mental illnesses are emphasized throughout the duration of this course.

In this research course, students are provided with core knowledge and skills for understanding, analyzing, and designing research at the graduate level. Students explore the philosophy of science, the role of theory, and research processes. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs and data collection methods are introduced. The alignment of research components is emphasized. Students also explore ethical and social change implications of designing and conducting research. Students demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing an annotated bibliography.

In this course, students examine the variables related to teaching and learning to understand how educational psychologists contribute to teacher effectiveness, student motivation, and overall academic achievement. They assess teaching methods, learning environments, curriculum development, educational achievement, and characteristics of teachers and learners. They also explore educational assessment, environmental issues, and educational research techniques. Students complete an article summary through which they explain the rationale, methods, findings, and implications of a current research issue. Sharing their topical summaries with the class, students gain multiple perspectives and make connections within the field of educational psychology.

Students in this research course build core knowledge and skills for designing quantitative research at the doctoral level, including understanding data analysis and applying statistical concepts. Students explore classical quantitative research designs and common statistical tests, the importance of quality assurance, and ethical and social change implications of conducting quantitative research and producing knowledge. In this course, students approach statistics from a problem-solving perspective with emphasis on selecting appropriate statistical tests for a research design. Students use statistical software to calculate statistics and interpret and present results. Students will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing a quantitative research plan.

Students in this course examine the cognitive, social-emotional, and psychomotor characteristics of individuals significantly deviating from the norm in behavior and/or adjustment. They learn ways to understand and work with individuals with learning disabilities (including emotional, behavioral, and intellectual disorders; autism; brain injury; hearing and vision loss; physical disabilities; and health disorders) and those who are gifted and talented. Students explore topical issues, including inclusion, transition to adulthood, and multicultural diversity. Through this course, students work toward gaining the knowledge and skills for developing research-based educational and therapeutic interventions.

An in-depth study of modern learning theory, its historical context, theoretical ideas, research, and applications in various learning environments are provided to students in this course. The theoretical ideas of the major paradigms of learning, such as behaviorism, gestalt, cognitivism, information processing, constructivism, and humanism, will be covered. Students in the course will also review current theories of cognitive processes such as language, memory, and intelligence and examine how differences in cognitive levels throughout the lifespan mediate learning of educational subject matters. 

Students are provided with the opportunity to synthesize knowledge and skills acquired throughout their program into a practical project designed to promote positive social change in a capstone project. During this course, students work on a capstone project in which they complete a major integrative paper on a topic related to their specialization, incorporating theoretical and practical knowledge as well as social scientific research skills acquired throughout the program. The instructor may approve other capstone projects presented by students.