205
Graduate Programs
205.24
Educational Psychology
205.24 Educational Psychology
Department of Educational Psychology
6-102 Education North
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G5
E-mail: edpygrad@ualberta.ca
Fax: (780) 492-1318
205.24.1 General Information
The Department offers programs leading to the degree of PhD in the following specializations: Psychological Studies in Education (Research Stream or Professional School Psychology Stream); Counselling Psychology (CPA accredited); Special Education; Measurement, Evaluation and Cognition; and Studies in Teaching and Learning English as a Second Language (TESL). Programs leading to the degree of MEd are offered in the following specializations: Psychological Studies in Education (Research Stream or Professional School Psychology Stream); Counselling Psychology; School Counselling; Measurement, Evaluation and Cognition; Special Education; Technology in Education; and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). A course-based MEd program with a specialization in School Counselling is offered by the Department. Applicants following this program are selected based on their potential to serve as school counsellors. The Department houses an MEd program specializing in Health Sciences Education. This program is intended for those in Health Disciplines. Further information and admissions criteria may be found at (www.edpsychology.ualberta.ca/graduateprograms/healthscienceseducation.aspx)
The MEd and PhD programs are designed to provide specialized education and preparation for teachers, administrators, consultants, psychologists, academics, research personnel, and others requiring specialized preparation in the program areas. Normally, a student's graduate program includes a combination of professional and research graduate-level courses offered by the Department, the Faculty of Education and other Departments and Faculties in the University.
Entrance Requirements
The Department's minimum admission requirements are a four-year undergraduate degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. For those students whose previous academic work was completed in a language other than English, the Department requires proof of proficiency in the English language. Any one of the following is acceptable:
• | TOEFL score of 580 paper-based; or |
• | TOEFL score of 237 computer-based; or |
• | TOEFL score of 93 Internet-based, with a score of at least 24 on speaking and writing, and 20 on reading and listening; or |
• | An Academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no band less than 6.5; or |
• | An official CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language assessment system) score of at least 70 in all bands. |
Areas within the Department may have higher standards.
The TESL program requires:
• | TOEFL score of 600 paper-based (or 250 computer-based); and |
• | TSE score of 55 (minimum) (SPEAK scores are not acceptable); or |
• | TOEFL iBT (internet-based) score of 98, with minimum scores of 28 in the speaking component, 22 in the reading component and 24 in the listening and writing components; OR |
• | An Academic IELTS score of 8 (minimum) on listening/speaking bands with no band less than 7; or |
• | An official CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language assessment system) score of at least 80 on listening/speaking bands with no band less than 70. |
Additional information regarding English Language proficiency may be found at: www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca/applyadmission/elp.htm.
Additional details concerning admission requirements, including prerequisite courses, within each area may be found on the Department's website at www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/edpsychology.
Financial Assistance
In addition to scholarships awarded by outside granting agencies such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and by the University such as the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Scholarships, the Department offers financial support to some students in the form of graduate research assistantships and graduate teaching assistantships. Assistantship applications are available to students admitted to the Department.
205.24.2 The Degree of MEd
Program Requirements
For the thesis-based MEd, students must complete a minimum of 
24-27 in graduate-level courses in addition to a thesis. All candidates are required to demonstrate competence in research methods, and skills specific to their area of specialization. The required competence is usually demonstrated by completion of EDPY 501 and courses specific to each specialization area. For the course-based MEd, students must complete a minimum of 27-36 in graduate-level courses in addition to a capping exercise or project.
The course-based MEd in School Counselling requires the successful completion of 36 in graduate-level courses. Students accepted into the program will be practising teachers, and the program is designed to be taken on a part-time basis. Applicants are accepted into this program in alternate, odd years. Interested students should contact the Department of Educational Psychology (edpygrad@ualberta.ca).
More details concerning required coursework within each area may be found within the Department's website at www.edpsychology.ualberta.ca. Each student, in consultation with the Faculty advisor assigned at the time of admission, will develop a program of study to suit the student's specific background and area of interest.
Length of Program
Students have a maximum four years to complete a thesis-based MEd. The course-based MEd must be completed in a maximum of six years. Students who are admitted to a thesis-based MEd degree program and who initially register as full-time students in these programs must register full-time for the remainder of their program.
205.24.3 The Degree of EdD
Not offered in 2011–2012.
205.24.4 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
The PhD program consists of a minimum of 24 or more depending on the area of specialization, a candidacy examination, and the preparation and defence of a thesis on an approved topic.
No language other than English is required.
Students admitted to a PhD program must register full time throughout their program. Both the Counselling Psychology and School Psychology programs require a one-year supervised internship. More details concerning required coursework and the development of the thesis within each area may be found at the Department’s website: www.edpsychology.ualberta.ca. Each student, in consultation with the Faculty advisor assigned at the time of admission, will develop a program of study to suit the student's specific background and area of interest. By the end of the first year of study, PhD students must have a supervisory committee consisting of at least three faculty members whose interests are usually related to the student's area of study.
Length of Program
Candidates in the PhD program have a maximum completion time of six years. A typical time for completion of the PhD degree is four years.
205.24.5 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found on Bear Tracks, Course Listings, using the following subject headings:
Education – Instructional Technology (EDIT)
Education – Psychology (EDPY)
