Educational Psychology Master of Arts:
Teaching Applications Emphasis
Online Degree Program
About This Online Program
This master's program emphasizes developing an understanding of how both the brain and the environment influence learning across development, the nature of student motivation, and the role of society and culture in learning. Moreover, the program focuses on practical applications of research to the classroom environment.
An Educational Psychology MA: Teaching Applications Emphasis will prepare instructors to effectively address critical tasks such as designing instruction that fosters critical thinking, helping students develop confidence and interest in learning, responding to state mandated tests and curriculum standards, and supporting disadvantaged students.
This online program begins each Summer term and is currently accepting applications. You can complete this master's degree in 19 months, gaining the tools to optimize teaching and learning processes in the classroom.
Career Options for Graduates
Depending on your interests, prior experiences and existing certifications, this degree can prepare you to excel in the following positions:
- Teaching: Advance your K–12, community college and child care teaching
- Educational consulting
- Business and industry training, research or evaluation positions
- Measurement and assessment positions in industry, business or school systems
View a Recorded Information Session
Academic Program Coordinator Marilyn Welsh hosted an online information meeting covering program details, application steps and questions from potential students. You can view the recorded session to get more information. The presentation has chapter titles so you can choose which portions you would like to view (total running time is 29:38). You may need to complete the Wimba Setup Wizard if you have not attended a Wimba online meeting before.
More Resources
We also encourage you to visit the School of Psychological Sciences page for this program. From there you can also learn more about the traditional on-campus delivery of this program.
Contact the Academic Program Coordinator
Educational Psychology MA: Teaching Applications Emphasis
Academic Program Coordinator
Marilyn Welsh
marilyn.welsh@unco.edu
(970) 351-2236
UNC Ed PsychMA: Teaching Emph
501 20th St, CB 94
Greeley, CO 80639
Course of Study
This 30-credit-hour program is completed online in five consecutive academic terms. All students will take the same two courses each term and progress through the program together. In the Fall and Spring semesters, the two courses are taken back-to-back in two 8 week sessions. In the summer term, the two courses are taken concurrently in a single 8-week session that runs from early June through July.
In the last semester, the students complete the MA Comprehensive Examination, which involves writing a paper that applies their knowledge of Educational Psychology to a topic or issue that is relevant to their practice as teachers or in other educational settings.
| |
Summer |
Fall |
Spring |
Year 1 |
PSY 500 Educational Psychology for Teachers (3) – June-July |
PSY 540 Theories and Principles of Learning (3) – 1st 8-week session |
PSY 644 Motivation in Education (3) – 1st 8-week session |
PSY 530 Life Span Developmental Psychology (3) – June-July |
PSY 600 Graduate Research Methodology (3) – 2nd 8-week session |
PSY 640 Cultural Issues in Educational Psychology (3) – 2nd 8-week session |
Year 2 |
PSY 681 Cognition and Instruction I (3) – June-July |
PSY 697 Master's Project in Psychology (3-6) – 1st 8-week session |
|
PSY 575 Educational Assessment (3) – June-July |
PSY 595 Special Topics in Psychology, or other elective (3) – 2nd 8-week session |
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Admission Requirements and Transfer Credit
Admission Requirements
- BA or BS degree from an accredited college or university, with a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of your undergraduate degree.
- If your undergraduate GPA (last 60 hours) is under 3.0, we ask that you provide us with a rationale regarding why we should consider you for the program (e.g., evidence of success in your profession; length of time since your undergraduate degree, etc). This rationale should be provided as part of your Personal Statement (see below).
- Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for this program.
Eligibility by State
UNC has secured approval from almost every state, as required by new federal regulations, so that students are eligible to apply to online programs at UNC. However we are unable to accept applications at this time for our online programs from students residing in a few select states because their requirements, particularly application fees, for such approval are prohibitive. Please verify your Eligibility by State before applying.
Note: All international students residing outside of the United States are eligible to apply to our online programs. Students attending online while residing outside of the United States do not need student visas for admission.
Transferring Credit
Applicable graduate credit may be applied towards this academic program. In order for credits to be accepted toward a degree they must be graduate level credits, be approved by the Academic Advisor, and have a grade of A or B. Once approved by the advisor, students must complete a Petition to Count Work in a Degree Program to have the credit approved by the Grad School. Master’s and specialist degree students must complete a minimum of 24 credits at the University of Northern Colorado. All work counted in a degree program must be within five years for a master’s degree and six years for a specialist degree. The time limit is calculated from the beginning of the first class transferred in and counted in the degree program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition
This program is offered through the UNC Office of Extended Studies, which means a flat per-credit tuition rate for all students in the program. There are no student fees. Certain courses may carry specific course fees for additional services and materials.
Tuition rates are set each academic year (which begin each Fall semester). The tuition rate for the 2011-12 school year for this program is $440 per credit hour.
Financial Aid
Students who cannot pay for tuition alone are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA priority filing date for each academic year (which begins each August) is March 1. Late submissions of the FAFSA are still accepted but may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
Master’s degree students require a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full time enrollment is based on 9 credits.
To apply for federal financial aid assistance
Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Extended Studies degree seeking students may contact Nancy Gray in Financial Aid for more specific help at (970) 351-2502 or visit UNC Financial Aid website.
Students can also find information in the Guide to Federal Student Aid at studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html
Get Started
The Educational Psychology MA: Teaching Applications Emphasis Online program is currently accepting applications. Accepted applicants begin the program each Summer term. The application deadline is April 1. Applications received after April 1 may be considered on a space-available basis.
Admission to this program is a two-part process:
- Apply to the UNC Graduate School. Apply Now.
- Concurrently submit the following items to the Educational Psychology MA: Teaching Applications Academic Program Coordinator (see coordinator contact info above) by email or traditional mail:
- Two professional letters of recommendation—each letter should be accompanied by the Graduate School Letter of Recommendation form
- Personal Statement indicating your background and experiences relevant to this degree, why you selected the MA in Educational Psychology: Teaching Applications program, and what you hope to gain from this program
Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the graduate school then sent to the faculty/program for an admission decision. A completed application typically takes four to six weeks to process.
