2013 - 2014 Site Archive

 

 

Graduate Bulletin

Education/Educational Psychology, Ph.D.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:

Fall:  February 1

Applications are accepted for the Fall term only. Those interested in being considered for a fellowship should submit their application by January 5. Applications submitted after February 1 will be considered if space permits.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 3

From Whom:  Letters of recommendation should be obtained from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or professional achievements and those who can comment on the applicant’s aptitude for doctoral study.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

No specific coursework is required for admission.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A master's degree is not required.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

All applicants must present official transcripts of all prior coursework, demonstrating achievement of the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree at Temple University. The minimum undergraduate GPA expected is 3.0, although applicants may be admitted provisionally if other compelling evidence of academic potential is presented.

Statement of Goals:

 

The personal statement is an important factor in the admissions process. Written in autobiographical style, it should explain your reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree in Education in a thorough and thoughtful manner. The statement should address the following:

  • How have your personal, academic, and professional experiences shaped your research interests, and how might a doctoral program in Education help you explore those interests?
  • How does the doctoral program at Temple fit your individual interests, needs, and future goals, and which faculty member's research best matches your own interests?
  • What academic/professional goals would the program help you to achieve following graduation?
Standardized Test Scores:

 

The GRE is required. Applicants are expected to score above the 40% percentile.

 

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 79 iBT and 550 PBT.

Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 48

Required Courses:

Ph.D. coursework includes a common core of courses for all students, distinct disciplinary courses for students in different concentrations, and common courses in research methods. This includes:

College-Wide Proseminars (6 credits):
EDUC 8103:  Contemporary Trends in Educational Research
EDUC 8104:  Epistemology and Method in Educational Research

College-Wide Research Method Courses (15 credits minimum, including at least one course each in statistics, qualitative methods, and research design) chosen from:
EDUC 5101:  Research Design in Education
EDUC 5262:  Qualitative Research in Education
EDUC 5325:  Introduction to Statistics and Research
EDUC 8102:  Qualitative Data
EPSY 8625:  Intermediate Educational Statistics
Multivariate Statistics
Structural Equation Modeling
Multilevel Modeling
Growth Curve Modeling
Single Subject Design
Program Evaluation

Educational Psychology Concentration Courses (9 credits):
EPSY 8735: Proseminar in Learning
EPSY 8741: Proseminar in Human Development
Proseminar in Educational Psychology

Research Apprenticeship (6 credits)

College-wide elective courses (3-12 credits)

Culminating courses (6 credits overall, with a minimum of 2 credits of EDUC 9999: Doctor of Education Dissertation)

Internship: An internship in the form of a research apprenticeship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Culminating Events:

 

Proficiency Evaluation:

The purpose of the proficiency evaluation is to demonstrate a student's critical and interpretive knowledge of current research. It should be completed no more than one semester after the student finishes the coursework component of the program. Each concentration of the college-wide Ph.D. program develops and administers the proficiency evaluation for its students. While there is variability among the concentrations in the way the evaluation is constructed, in general, the evaluation involves an integrative analysis of research and is determined and assessed by a committee of faculty in the concentration. Each committee member votes to pass or fail the student. In order to pass, a majority of the committee members must agree that the evaluation has been satisfactorily completed. The evaluators look for a breadth and depth of understanding of research; a critical application of that knowledge to specific phenomena; integrative reasoning ability; and an ability to write technical prose. Students who are preparing to complete their proficiency evaluation should confirm a timetable with their advisor.

 

Proposal with Oral Defense:

The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should consist of the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; an exhaustive survey and review of literature related to the problem; and a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem. The proposal should be completed and approved no more than one year after completing coursework.

The proposal is defended in an open hearing that is attended by the student’s Doctoral Advisory Committee, which is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from, or affiliated with, the concentration in which the student has been admitted. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress, coordinating the responses of the committee members, and informing the student of her/his academic progress. Upon approval of the proposal by the Doctoral Advisory Committee, a timeline for completing the investigation and writing process is established.

Dissertation with Oral Defense:

The doctoral dissertation is an original study that makes a significant contribution to the field. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of her/his primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standard of the field; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of business; and be prepared for publication in an academic journal.

 

The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. This committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advisory Committee and at least two additional faculty members, one of whom must be from outside the concentration. The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's ability to express verbally her/his research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The committee votes to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.

Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Examining Committee and register with the Shimada Resource Center at least 10 days before the defense is to be held. After the time, date, and room for the defense have been established, the completed Announcement of Oral Defense form is sent to the Graduate School. A flyer announcing the defense is posted in a public location in the College.

Contacts
Program Contact Information:

http://education.temple.edu/phd/educational-psychology

Department Information:

College of Education Graduate Programs
Attn: Educational Psychology Ph.D.
Shimada Resource Center
150 Ritter Hall Annex
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122
gradprograms@temple.edu
215-204-8011

Department Contacts:

Admissions:
College of Education Graduate Programs
gradprograms@temple.edu
215- 204-8011

 

Chairperson:

Dr. Joseph Ducette, Senior Associate Dean
joseph.ducette@temple.edu
215-204-4998

About the Program

The interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Education, with a concentration in Educational Psychology, seeks to advance the understanding of learning, cognition, and human development as these processes apply to educational processes and practices. The Educational Psychology program is characterized by a strong theoretical and research orientation, the interplay of theory and practice, an interdisciplinary approach, and a commitment to service. Designed for students seeking to become professors or researchers in higher education, it is structured around the three areas of learning and conceptual processes: human development, applied data analysis, and research methodology.

Time Limit for Degree Completion:  7 years

Campus Location:
 

Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students may matriculate either full-time or part-time. Most courses are offered in the evening to accommodate working professionals. The length of time to complete the doctoral degree program varies depending upon the number of courses taken each semester.

Department Information:

College of Education Graduate Programs
Attn: Educational Psychology Ph.D.
Shimada Resource Center
150 Ritter Hall Annex
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122
gradprograms@temple.edu
215-204-8011

Interdisciplinary Study:

The Ph.D. Program in Education is interdisciplinary in its nature. The concentration in Educational Psychology seeks to advance the understanding of learning, cognition, and human development as these processes apply to educational processes and practices. The concentration is structured around the three areas of learning and conceptual processes: human development, applied data analysis, and research methodology.

Affiliation(s):

 

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

The College of Education is ranked among top graduate schools in U.S. News & World Report.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Areas of Specialization:

The Ph.D. program in Education has seven areas of specialization: Adult and Organizational Development, Applied Linguistics, Educational Psychology, Literacy and Learners, Math and Science Education, Special Education, and Urban Education.

Job Placement:

Graduates typically pursue careers in higher education in departments of education or psychology; in K-12 educational settings; as instructional technology specialists; as trainers in corporate, government, or medical settings; or as educational specialists in positions requiring skills in research design, applied statistics, or testing/measurement.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students must obtain permission of the instructor, with approval of the department, to take doctoral courses. Students may take up to 9 credits prior to admission.

Financing Opportunities

Assistantships are the centerpiece of the program's mentorship philosophy and are highly competitive. They require 20 hours of service per week, which can include teaching and/or supervised research. An assistantship provides a stipend and tuition remission. Visit http://education.temple.edu/grad/research-teaching-assistantships to learn how to apply.

Graduate scholarship opportunities are also available for current students as shown at http://education.temple.edu/services/scholarships-graduation-awards.

Updated 2.11.13