Educational Psychology

Educational Psychology at Indiana University Bloomington is a comprehensive graduate program designed to prepare students for careers in research, teaching, and applied practice within educational settings. The program emphasizes the development of theoretical knowledge, research skills, and practical expertise to understand and enhance learning and development across diverse populations. Students engage with core areas such as cognitive development, motivation, learning environments, assessment, and intervention strategies, gaining a deep understanding of how individuals learn and grow in educational contexts. The curriculum integrates both foundational theories and innovative approaches, fostering critical thinking and methodological rigor necessary for conducting empirical research and applying evidence-based practices. The program offers a variety of specialization options, allowing students to tailor their education towards areas like school psychology, counseling, special education, or educational policy. In addition to coursework, students participate in research projects, internships, and practicum experiences that provide real-world application of their skills in schools, community organizations, and research institutions. Faculty members are distinguished experts dedicated to mentoring students and advancing knowledge in educational psychology through active scholarship and community engagement. The program also promotes collaboration across disciplines, encouraging student involvement in seminars, conferences, and professional development activities. Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, research institutions, educational consulting, and administrative roles, or to pursue licensure and certification as school psychologists or counselors. Indiana University Bloomington's Educational Psychology program is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that emphasizes diversity, equity, and social justice in education. With a strong focus on research and applied practices, the program aims to address current educational challenges and contribute innovative solutions that improve learning outcomes for individuals of all backgrounds.

Major Requirements (36 cr.)

Educational Psychology Requirements (12 cr.)
Courses are selected from one or more of the sub-areas of psychological studies, which include human development or learning and instructional cognition. Most if not all P-prefixed courses should count, including but not limited to the following:

• P513 Gerontology: Multidisciplinary Perspectives (3 cr.)
• P514 Life Span Development: Birth to Death (3 cr.)
• P515 Child Development (3 cr.)
• P516 Adolescent Development (3 cr.)
• P517 Adult Development and Aging (3 cr.)
• P518 Social Aspects of Aging (3 cr.)
• P540 Learning and Cognition in Education (3 cr.)
• P544 Applied Cognition and Learning Strategies (3 cr.)
• P545 Educational Motivation (3 cr.)
• P566 Social Psychology in Education (3 cr.)
• P590 Independent Study or Research in Educational Psychology (3 cr.)
• P600 Topical Seminar in Learning, Cognition & Instruction (3 cr.)
• P622 Social Development (3 cr.)
• P623 Child Development (3 cr.)
• P624 Biology of Behavior (3 cr.)
• P625 Family Processes (3 cr.)
• P640 Thinking and Learning in Social Contexts (3 cr.)
• P650 Topical Seminar in Educational Psychology (3 cr.)

Learning (3 cr. minimum)
Select at least one course from the following:

• P540 Learning and Cognition in Education (3 cr.)
• P544 Applied Cognition and Learning Strategies (3 cr.)
• P545 Educational Motivation (3 cr.)
• P566 Social Psychology in Education (3 cr.)
• P590 Independent Study or Research in Educational Psychology (3 cr.)
• P600 Topical Seminar in Learning, Cognition & Instruction (3 cr.)
• P640 Thinking and Learning in Social Contexts (3 cr.)
• P650 Topical Seminar in Educational Psychology (3 cr.)

Foundations in Education (9 cr. minimum)
Doctoral students are required to take courses outside their major and minor areas to obtain alternative theoretical perspectives to their studies. These courses may be taken in areas such as the history, philosophy or sociology of education, curriculum theory and other social sciences. Students are allowed to take no more than 6 credits in the same area.

Inquiry Core (15 cr. minimum)

The Inquiry component emphasizes methodological skills which provide a basis for conducting original research. The following three courses are required:

• Y521 Methodological Approaches to Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
• Y502 Intermediate Statistics Applied to Education (3 cr.)
  • Must be taken concurrently with Y500
• Y527 Educational Assessment and Psychological Assessment (3 cr.)
• Select two courses from the following:
  • H510 Foundations of Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
  • H601 Historical Inquiry in Education (3 cr.)
  • Y535 Evaluation Models and Techniques (3 cr.)
  • Y603 Statistical Design of Educational Research (3 cr.)
    • Must be taken concurrently with Y500.
  • Y604 Applied Multivariate Statistics (3 cr.)
    • Must be taken concurrently with Y500.
  • Y611 Qualitative Inquiry in Education (3 cr.)
  • Y617 Psychometric Theory (3 cr.)
  • Y627 Seminar in Educational and Psychological Measurement I (3 cr.)
  • Y635 Methodology of Educational Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • Y750 Seminar in Inquiry Methodology (3 cr.)

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)
The minor must have integrity in its own right and must complement the major. The minor field must demonstrate wholeness within itself and contribute to the student's overall doctoral program. Minors are normally formulated within a single program area. However, an interdisciplinary or individualized minor is also possible. Interdisciplinary or individualized minors require a written description of the minor's underlying theme along with a rationale for each course's contribution to that theme through the Minor Justification form. This form should be submitted and approved by the Graduate Studies Office prior to enrolling in the minor courses.

Students will select a minor field of study to complement their major in educational psychology. The minor serves to develop students’ substantive area of interest. Major area courses may not be used in the minor.

Elective Requirements
Elective courses are chosen to fill out the major and to contribute to the integrity of the student’s program. These courses are taken in the student’s area of interest, within or outside the department, in order to fulfill the total program requirement of 90 credit hours.

Dissertation Requirements (15 cr.)

• G795 Dissertation Proposal Preparation (3 cr.)
• G799 Doctoral Thesis in Counseling Psychology (12 cr.)

Requirements

1. A completed online application (required of all applicants). The online application is campus-specific and non-transferable. Applicants are responsible for submitting an application to the campus where they wish to pursue a degree, certificate, or licensure program.
2. An application fee (required of all applicants). Online applications require a nonrefundable payment by credit card and cannot be processed before the fee is paid in full.
3. A personal goal statement (required of all applicants) addressing academic and professional background and objectives.
4. A current resume or curriculum vitae (required of all international applicants; also required of domestic applicants to some programs).
5. Official transcripts (required of all applicants). International applicants must provide official transcripts and degree certificates from every institution of higher education attended. Domestic applicants to degree programs must submit official transcripts from every institution of higher education where they attempted nine or more semester hours, whether or not a degree was granted. Domestic applicants to non-degree (certificate or licensure) programs must submit official transcripts from every institution of higher education where they have earned (or expect to earn) a degree
6. Letters of recommendation (required of all applicants) that address the applicant’s academic and/or professional capabilities. The number of letters required (one, two, or three) may vary depending on the program.
7. An academic writing sample (required for a few select programs).
8. Official GRE Scores (required of all international applicants and most domestic applicants). Some master’s programs and licensure programs may waive the GRE requirement for U.S. citizens whose cumulative undergraduate GPA meets a pre-defined minimum. Applicants who are required to submit GRE scores must submit official scores from a test taken within five years prior to application.
9. Official TOEFL Scores (required of all international applicants whose native language is not English). International applicants who are current degree-seeking students at a U.S. institution of higher education may be exempted from the TOEFL requirement. U.S. citizens who have been educated primarily outside the U.S. in a language other than English may be required to submit TOEFL scores. Applicants who are required to submit TOEFL scores must submit official scores from a test taken within two years prior to application.
10. Praxis or Indiana CORE Assessment Scores (required for teacher preparation programs, including the Secondary Transition to Teaching program and other initial licensure programs).

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

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Scholarships

• Associate Instructorships
• Graduate Assistantships
• Research Assistantships

Educational Psychology at Indiana University Bloomington is a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for careers that involve understanding and improving the learning and development processes of individuals across diverse settings. The program emphasizes research and practical application, integrating theories of learning, motivation, assessment, and development with innovative instructional strategies. Students engage in advanced coursework that covers areas such as cognitive development, learning technologies, instructional design, and educational assessment, equipping them with the skills necessary to contribute to educational research, policy, and practice.

The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with hands-on experiences, including opportunities for teaching, research assistantships, and internships. Faculty members are recognized experts in their fields, conducting influential research on topics like motivation, learning disabilities, and the impact of technology on education. This environment fosters scholarly inquiry and prepares students for doctoral studies, educational consulting, or leadership roles in educational organizations. The program offers both master's and doctoral degrees, catering to students aiming for advanced research or applied careers.

Indiana University Bloomington's Educational Psychology program also encourages specialization in areas such as School Psychology, Learning and Development, or Instructional Systems Technology, allowing students to tailor their education to specific interests and career goals. The program benefits from the university's extensive resources, including partnerships with local schools and research centers. Graduates of the program have a track record of success in academia, research institutions, government agencies, and educational consulting firms. Overall, the program aims to develop experts who can conduct empirical research, design effective learning environments, and influence educational policies to optimize individual learning outcomes across different age groups and settings.