Educational Psychology
Mailing Address:
College of Education (MC 147)
1040 West Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60607-7133
Campus Location: 3145 EPASW
Telephone: (312) 996-4532
Program Code: 20FS0210PHD
E-mail: ewilson@uic.edu
Web Site: http://education.uic.edu
Dean: Victoria Chou
Department Chairperson: Kimberly Lawless
Program Coordinator: George Karabatsos
Director of Graduate Studies: Theresa Thorkildsen
The PhD in Educational Psychology prepares students to conduct research on psychological processes as they affect student learning and successful teaching in urban settings. Graduates become research experts and innovators in one of two areas of emphasis: Human Development and Learning or Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment. Interdepartmental concentrations in Gender and Women’s Studies and Violence Studies are available to students in this program.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Applicants must submit transcripts from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and from all postbaccalaureate work. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
Doctor of Philosophy
- Baccalaureate Field No restrictions.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study and for all postbaccalaureate course work.
- Tests Required GRE General. Minimum of 1000 on combined Verbal and Quantitative (for tests taken before August 1, 2011), or minimum of 300 on combined Verbal and Quantitative (for tests taken on or after August 1, 2011).
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), or equivalent. Note: Total score is higher than the sum of the subscores. OR
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores, or equivalent.
- Letters of Recommendation Three letters from faculty members or others familiar with the applicant’s previous academic training, academic and research ability, and experience are required.
- Personal Statement This required statement must address the applicant’s professional and scholarly goals.
- Other Requirements A College of Education application form and a set of transcripts must be submitted .
- Admission Deadlines The application deadline for this program is January 1 for admission in summer or fall terms
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
Doctor of Philosophy
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate or 64 hours beyond the master’s degree.
- Course Work College Core (12 semester hours): Required. ED 504, 505, and 506.
- Methodology Requirement (12 semester hours): ED 502 and ED 503 or equivalents, based on faculty advisor approval. One additional (quantitative or qualitative) course to be selected in consultation with faculty advisor.
- Educational Psychology Program Core (8 semester hours): Required. EPSY 500, 501 or 508.
- Area of Emphasis: At least 16 semester hours of approved courses, selected in consultation with the faculty advisor, are required. A minimum of 16 hours is taken in this area of emphasis if the student has a master’s degree, 52 hours if admitted without a master’s degree.
- Preliminary Examination A three step process involving a written examination, dissertation proposal, and oral defense of the student’s readiness to complete a dissertation are required.
- Dissertation 12 semester hours: Students are required to register for doctoral thesis research for at least 12 semester hours.
- Other Requirements 4 semester hours in the course EPSY 593—Research Project. Students participate in a research project in collaboration with a faculty member or a team of faculty members and students. Students must complete a training course sponsored by the Office for the Vice Chancellor for Research on the ethics of conducting research with human subjects. Students are required to submit an annual report of their academic and professional progress.
Interdepartmental Concentration in Gender and Women’s Studies
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in a concentration in Gender and Women’s Studies after consulting with their graduate advisor. See Gender and Women’s Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of the catalog for more information.
Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Violence Studies
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in a concentration in Violence Studies after consulting with their graduate advisor. See Violence Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section or the Jane Addams College of Social Work section for more information.
