Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online at https://utexas.box.com/v/UTAustinGraduateHandbooks. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.

Master of Arts

All students seeking the Master of Arts (MA) degree in Educational Psychology concentrate coursework in an area of specialization within the department. Specializations with an available MA degree are human development, culture and learning sciences; and school psychology. The MA is also available to students enrolled in the doctoral degree program who either wish to complete a master’s degree en-route to the doctorate, or who are permitted by the Graduate Studies Committee to complete a terminal MA degree. 

Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Psychology with specialization in Human Development, Culture and Learning Sciences: Students pursuing the MA degree with specialization in human development, culture and learning sciences must complete a minimum of 40 hours of coursework, with an additional three-hour Master’s Report or six-hour Master’s Thesis. This program is designed to train graduate students in theories of human cognition, culture, development, language, learning, motivation, social, and personality psychology.

Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Psychology with specialization in School Psychology: Students pursuing the MA degree with specialization in school psychology must complete a minimum of 68 hours of coursework. Curriculum includes academic coursework as well as clinical practicum experience. This program is designed for those interested in future doctoral training but first wish to gain experience in research or in schools employed as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP).

More information is available on the Educational Psychology website, or from the graduate advisor in educational psychology.

Master of Education

The Master of Education (MEd) degree in educational psychology is available to students with specializations in human development, culture and learning sciences; quantitative methods; and counselor education.

Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Psychology with specialization in Counselor Education: Students pursuing the MEd degree with specialization in counselor education must complete a minimum of 60 hours of graduate coursework. Curriculum includes academic coursework as well as clinical practicum experience. Within the program, there is one subject concentration: higher education counseling and student affairs. The MEd program in Counselor Education is designed to prepare counselors to work in academic settings, to pursue doctoral studies in counseling psychology or related fields, and/or pursue certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Psychology with specialization in Human Development, Culture and Learning Sciences: Students pursuing the MEd degree with specialization in human development, culture and learning sciences must complete a minimum of 33 hours of coursework. This program is designed to train graduate students in theories of human cognition, culture, development, language, learning, motivation, social, and personality psychology.

Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Psychology with specialization in Quantitative Methods: Students pursuing the MEd degree with specialization in quantitative methods must complete a minimum of 35 hours of coursework. This Master’s specialization is designed to provide knowledge and technical skills in the areas of applied statistics, psychometrics, and program evaluation.

More information is available on the Educational Psychology website, or from the graduate advisor in educational psychology.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with a major in educational psychology involves specialization in a program area within Educational Psychology: counseling psychology; human development, culture and learning science; quantitative methods; or school/clinical child psychology. Degree plans differ depending on the areas of specialization. 

Students in all specializations are required to complete core coursework in Educational Psychology, specialization coursework, and supporting coursework outside the department. Students in the specializations of counseling psychology and school/clinical child psychology are required to complete additional training in the form of practicums and internship. All PhD specializations involve a dissertation: the student must successfully present the dissertation proposal to the Graduate Studies Committee. The dissertation must represent an independent scholarly investigation of a problem pertinent to the field of educational psychology and constitute a scholarly contribution to the body of knowledge in the profession.

Required semester hours of coursework vary per doctoral specialization. Most students require at least four years beyond the bachelor’s degree to complete the program; many take five years or more. A significant proportion of students in programs not requiring an internship can complete the program in four to five years, including terms in the summer semester. 

More information is available on the Educational Psychology website, or from the graduate advisor in educational psychology.

Dual Degree Programs

The Department of Educational Psychology offers the following dual degree programs in cooperation with other divisions of the University. More information is available from the graduate advisor in each program.

Major(s)	Degree(s)
Medicine	Doctor of Medicine

Master of Education/Doctor of Medicine

In partnership with the Dell Medical School, Educational Psychology offers a Master of Education (MEd) to medical students as part of the medical school curriculum, third-year requirement for experience in Innovation, Leadership, and Discovery. The MEd/MD program is one of several dual-degree programs from which medical students can choose in their third year. The requirements and policies associated with the dual-degree program are published in the Medical School Catalog. More information is available from the graduate advisor in educational psychology.