As an educational psychologist, you can have a tremendous impact on the social, emotional, and academic development of students. You can do this in many different ways, too.
For example, you might train classroom teachers to use the latest educational psychology methods to enhance their understanding of course material. Or, you might work with a school’s exceptional children and provide counseling and training services to assist them in being more successful in class.
Other applications of educational psychology occur outside the school system. You might provide your expertise to private education companies, consult with state or federal education agencies, or even work for yourself in private practice.
In this article, we will explore various educational psychology programs offered by some of the popular universities in Georgia, discussing their unique aspects, courses, and advantages.
Educational Psychology Graduate Programs in Georgia
Following lists represents some of the best schools offering educational psychology degree programs in Georgia:
- University of Georgia (UGA)
- Grand Canyon University
- Georgia State University (GSU)
- Capella University
- Georgia Southern University (GSW)
- Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW)
University of Georgia (UGA)
Not only is the University of Georgia the oldest college in the state, but it is also one of the oldest colleges in the nation. Founded just after the Revolutionary War in 1785, UGA has a long history of academic excellence. Today, that tradition continues – UGA ranks 16th in the nation among top public schools. It also ranks 49th in the country among national universities.
As a student at UGA, you can explore many different subjects and degree programs. The university has 18 schools and colleges that offer hundreds of options for completing your education. This includes a robust online campus where you can complete your degree without setting foot on the UGA campus. The Master of Education in Educational Psychology discussed below is one such program.
Educational Psychology Program Information
If you enroll in the’Master of Education in Educational Psychology program at the University of Georgia, your studies will focus specifically on applied cognition and development. You will learn about motivational factors of learning, human developmental processes, and issues related to the practice of education, to name a few.
Furthermore, UGA’s program focuses on secondary education and working with high school or collegiate students. Your studies include examinations of qualitative approaches in education, how we learn across the lifespan and studies the role of technology in education as well.
This is a 34-credit program that takes about two years to complete. The program follows a cohort model, so if you are accepted, you will progress through the curriculum with the same classmates. Only ten students are admitted each year, so this program is highly competitive.
If you wish to apply, you must first have an undergraduate degree from an accredited school and have a GPA of 2.6 or above. You must also provide three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a resume or curriculum vitae.
Additionally, you must:
- Pay a $75 application fee ($100 for international students)
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities you’ve attended
- Have official GRE or MAT scores sent to the University
Georgia State University (GSU)
While Georgia State University might not have the same name recognition as the University of Georgia, it is still a very well-regarded and large public institution. In fact, GSU has over 52,000 students between its six campuses in Atlanta. With a wide array of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, GSU has the options you need to lay the foundation for your future career.
Not only is GSU a large school, but it is also an extremely diverse one. Students come from more than 100 nations to study at GSU. Likewise, there is a large minority population at the school. In fact, Georgia State has more African-American graduates than any other institution in the nation.
All this occurs while offering high-quality programs. According to US News and World Report, GSU ranks second in the country for innovation and is 118th in the nation among top public schools.
Educational Psychology Program Information
The Master of Science in Educational Psychology at Georgia State is a 36-credit program that requires about two years of full-time study. It is a residential program, which means you have to attend traditional classes at GSU’s main Atlanta campus instead of more common online programs.
This master’s program focuses on how educational psychology can be used to better understand student behavioral changes and the science of learning. To do so, you will explore topics such as learning, cognition, and socialization. You will also take courses that touch on motivation, child development, and classroom instruction concepts.
This is a non-licensure program, which makes it ideal if you already have a professional license or certification. Teachers, administrators, and even nurses can benefit from this degree. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other professionals who need a better understanding of the science of learning can also benefit.
This is a research-based program, which means you will take two courses in research, and you must also complete either a thesis or a capstone project, both of which heavily involve research in this field. The Ph.D. in educational psychology at GSU is also research-focused, should you decide to continue your studies in that program.
To apply, follow these steps:
- Complete an online application and submit a $50 application fee
- Submit a 500-1,000-word goals statement
- Submit a resume, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from each college or university you’ve attended
- Submit GRE scores (must be no more than five years old)
Georgia Southern University (GSW)
Georgia Southern University is a large public four-year college with a reputation for being extremely affordable. As a student at GSU, you can choose from almost 150 different majors and programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. With an interest in educational psychology, you’ll have plenty of company – psychology is one of the most popular programs at Georgia Southern!
GSU got its start in 1906 with a focus on teaching agricultural methods. However, the school has expanded its courses and degree offerings over the years. The student body has grown, too – the school boasts an enrollment of more than 27,000 students, many of whom come from out of state or from other nations. That means you can learn in a diverse and enriching environment.
Educational Psychology Program Information
The Master of Education degree in Evaluation Assessment Research and Learning from Georgia Southern isn’t a typical educational psychology degree. And that’s okay! This degree program focuses on learning how to use educational data to improve the delivery of educational services.
Specifically, you will learn how to develop assessments, evaluate performance, and conduct educational research that has implications for public schools, private schools, colleges, universities, and other organizations in the education space.
This 36-credit program is entirely online, offering you the utmost flexibility in completing your degree. You will take the same high-quality, challenging courses as on-campus students, and explore topics like:
- Educational Statistics
- Learning Theories and Applications
- Theories of Human Development
- Interaction and Learning
- Applied Qualitative Research Methods
There is no thesis, and there is no capstone requirement for this degree. However, you must complete assessments to move from one program point to the next.
Your instructors are highly experienced in the education field. Professors come from backgrounds in classroom teaching, administration, educational research, and more.
You can apply to this program by completing the following steps:
- Submit an application
- Hold an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Have at least a 3.0 GPA for all undergraduate and graduate work
- Submit a personal statement (500-1,000 words)
Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW)
Georgia Southwestern State University is a small school located on a 250-acre campus in the picturesque town of Americus. Founded in 1906, the school has a long history of academic excellence. Today it is a world-class school with dozens of majors and programs for both undergraduate and graduate students.
GSW, however, is a small school with around 3,000 students. This means you can study in a close-knit academic community. GSW is a part of the University System of Georgia (USG), which includes 35 schools across the state. This USG membership means you can access financial aid funding, libraries and research facilities, and other amenities that small schools might not otherwise offer.
Educational Psychology Program Information
The undergraduate School Psychology Certificate program from Georgia Southwestern University is a great way to explore educational psychology topics. It is an 18-credit program open to any GSW student interested in potentially pursuing a career in this field.
To get familiar with basic educational and school psychology concepts, you will take classes that include:
- Child Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Abnormal Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology Testing
You can also choose two elective courses to round out your introduction to school psychology. Electives cover topics like behavior modification, problems of childhood, and counseling techniques. An internship is another optional course that further exposes you to school psychology principles in practice.
It is important to note that this is an undergraduate certificate. It does not lead to Georgia’s school psychologist license or certification of any kind, nor does it guarantee that you will be accepted to a graduate program in school counseling. However, this certificate can certainly help prepare you for those next steps and can help you stand out from other graduate school applicants.
Before adding this certificate to your degree program, you must be admitted as an undergraduate GSW student. To apply as a first-year student, you need to fill out an online application and pay a $25 application fee. You must also submit ACT or SAT scores as part of the application process.
Educational Psychology Work Opportunities in Georgia
As mentioned in the introduction, work opportunities in the educational psychology field come in many different forms. With an advanced degree in school psychology, counseling, educational psychology, or a related field, you can explore these occupational options with confidence that you have the knowledge and skills to do the job and do it well.
In Georgia, public school systems likely offer the most numerous employment opportunities. Public schools employ many types of educational psychologists who work with students that range in age, academic abilities, and cognitive functioning. As an example, you might seek employment in a small, rural school district as the district’s primary school psychologist. In a small school, you are likely to work with kids in all grades and all district school buildings.
Conversely, you might apply for a position at a specific school in a large, urban district, like Atlanta. In that case, you are much more likely to work with a particular age group (e.g., elementary-aged kids) or a specific type of student (e.g., emotionally disturbed kids).
These are just a couple of examples of potential job opportunities, but you get the point. Georgia offers tremendous avenues for you to find employment in the field of educational psychology.
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