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Combine Psychology and Learning

Gain the skills to contribute to a growing body of knowledge about human cognition and learning.

Learning and cognition are vital to human development. Our doctorate in educational psychology offers an interdisciplinary perspective on education. In this program, you will interact with various sub-disciplines and grow your confidence in statistics and writing for publication. You will have the opportunity to learn from accomplished faculty and conduct hands-on lab research, preparing yourself for success in your field.

Where It Is Offered Commerce
Duration 4 to 7 years
Foreign Language No foreign language credits required
Delivery Blended (50-85% Online)
Total Credit Hours 90 hours
Dissertation Requirements Dissertation is required
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SEE YOURSELF SUCCEED WITH A DEGREE IN Educational pSychology

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Career Readiness

Participate in excellence-driven programs that empower you with knowledge of curriculum content, pedagogy, instructional design and evidence-based assessments.

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Accomplished Faculty

Enjoy the opportunity to work with award-winning faculty. Our instructors possess the knowledge and passion to help you succeed.

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Hands-On Research

Experience is vital for educational success. Our faculty will help you tackle complex challenges and discover solutions with hands-on research.

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Education Focused

Education is what we're known for. Join the ranks of our graduates who have become successful teachers, researchers and statistical analysts in the fields of psychology and education.

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Focus Your Passion

Prior to beginning the program, doctoral students must choose a track. Discover which option works best for your research interests and career goals.

Educational

The educational track is focused on human learning, cognition and instruction, and learning technology.

Experimental

The experimental track is focused on advanced cognition, social cognition and neural mechanisms.

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What You Will Learn

A Ph.D. in Educational Psychology will offer you the opportunity to:

  • Receive training in statistics and research methods
  • Learn to conduct psychological research
  • Test hypotheses through experimental and non-experimental methods
  • Become familiar with a variety of sub-disciplines including educational, cognitive, social and developmental psychology
  • Write research results for peer-reviewed publications
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Faculty Spotlight

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I especially enjoy involving my students in this experimental research, helping them conduct behavioral experiments and publish their results in excellent peer-reviewed journals.
Curt Carlson, Ph.D.
Professor/Coordinator
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Careers

Gain the recognition you deserve with a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. Our program opens many opportunities within the community, in education and beyond.

Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries

Psychologist
$79,010
Post-secondary teacher
$79,540

US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2018

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Featured Courses

Introduction to Educational Psychology PSY 505

This class is designed to introduce the student to the basic principles of educational psychology with an emphasis on the cognitive aspects of modern pedagogy. Topics include a historical introduction to theory, research, and issues in educational psychology through both classic and contemporary readings in the areas of instructional psychology, motivation, measurement, learning, technology, and socialization.

Cognition and Instruction I PSY 625

This course examines the psychological principles and scientific knowledge base underlying the major instructional theories. Content includes an evaluation of how current theories and knowledge of human cognition relate to the principles and practices of instructional design and development.

History & Systems of Psychology PSY 509

This course presents a comparative and critical study of a number of viewpoints in psychology from early experimental psychology to the contemporary field and organismic theories.

Introduction to Human Cognition PSY 620

This course covers topics of perception, attention, consciousness, memory, imagery, knowledge representation, language, problem-solving, decision making, and other selected aspects. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between mental processes and the brain. In addition, students will learn to appreciate the scientific methods that are developed to investigate these topics.

View Full Curriculum In The University Catalog
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Course Delivery

Designed for full-time students and working professionals, our flexible program offers online and in-person courses at the main campus location.

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Student Organizations

A&M-Commerce proudly hosts Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology. Psi Chi's purpose is to encourage, stimulate and maintain excellence in scholarship and to advance the science of psychology. The A&M-Commerce chapter provides psychology students with an academic community and professional development opportunities.

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Graduate Program Cost

PROGRAM COSTS

Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents.

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ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS International/Domestic Tabs

Admission

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Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology :: Program Admission Requirements

Deadlines

Fall Semester

  • Priority admission consideration
    • ApplyTexas application submission deadline is January 15
    • All required admission documents must be submitted by January 31
    • Interviews by invitation only to be held third Friday of February
  • Final admission consideration
    • ApplyTexas application submission deadline is May 15
    • All required admission documents must be submitted by June 1
    • Interviews by invitation only to be held third Friday of June

Spring Semester

  • ApplyTexas application submission deadline is October 1
  • All required admission documents must be submitted by October 15
  • Interviews by invitation only to be held third Friday of October

Summer Semester

  • ApplyTexas application submission deadline is March 1
  • All required admission documents must be submitted by March 15
  • Interviews by invitation only to be held fourth Friday of March

Your Path to Becoming a Lion

Step 1. Submit Application

Submit your application at tamuc.edu/apply.

  • Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
  • Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”

  • Select “Educational Psychology, PHD” as your “Major.”
  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Step 2. Submit Documents

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Official Transcripts

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].

  • We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.

All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.

We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.

  • If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
  • If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.

To be considered for admission one of the following is required

  • a bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher,
  • a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours, or
  • an awarded master’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher.

If you have a non-thesis master’s degree, you must complete a thesis prior to doctoral candidacy (empirical thesis can be completed in our program en route to the dissertation and doctoral candidacy).

Postal Alternative

If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Statement of Goals Form

Submit the Statement of Goals Form found in the Application Packet. An additional page can be added.

Resume or CV

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Request three signed letters of recommendation, on letterhead, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program.

  • At least one of the references should hold a doctoral degree.

Those individuals should

Test Scores

Submit official General Test GRE scores

  • Request that your GRE®scores be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.

Review the Application Packet for more information.

Application Packet

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Vicky Turner Doctoral Degree & Special Programs Coordinator

Step 3. Apply for Financial Assistance

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Step 4. Register for Classes

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Jennifer Faunce Director of Graduate Enrollment Management
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Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology :: Program Admission Requirements, International

Deadlines

Fall Semester

  • Priority admission consideration
    • ApplyTexas application submission deadline is January 15
    • All required admission documents must be submitted by January 31
    • Interviews by invitation only to be held third Friday of February
  • Final admission consideration
    • ApplyTexas application submission deadline is May 15
    • All required admission documents must be submitted by June 1
    • Interviews by invitation only to be held third Friday of June

Spring Semester

  • ApplyTexas application submission deadline is October 1.
  • All required admission documents must be submitted by October 15.
  • Interviews by invitation only to be held third Friday of October

Summer Semester

  • ApplyTexas application submission deadline is March 1
  • All required admission documents must be submitted by March 15
  • Interviews by invitation only to be held fourth Friday of March

Your Path to Becoming a Lion

Step 1. Submit Application

Submit your application at tamuc.edu/apply.

  • Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
  • Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”

  • Select “Educational Psychology, PHD” as your “Major.”
  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Step 2. Submit Documents

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Official Transcripts

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to Vic[email protected].

  • We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.

To be considered for admission one of the following is required

  • a bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher,
  • a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours, or
  • an awarded master’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher.

If you have a non-thesis master’s degree, you must complete a thesis prior to doctoral candidacy (empirical thesis can be completed in our program en route to the dissertation and doctoral candidacy).

Postal Alternative

If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Transcript Evaluation

All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.

We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.

  • If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
  • If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.

Statement of Goals Form

Submit the Statement of Goals Form found in the Application Packet. An additional page can be added.

Resume or CV

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Request three signed letters of recommendation, on letterhead, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program.

  • At least one of the references should hold a doctoral degree.

Those individuals should

Test Scores

Submit official General Test GRE scores

  • Request that your GRE®scores be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.

English Proficiency

You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.

Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce:

  • TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
  • IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
  • PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
  • Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)

*Scores must be less than two years old.

Official Sponsor Documents

Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted

  • Official sponsor statement
  • Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old

Review the Application Packet for more information.

Application Packet

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Vicky Turner Doctoral Degree & Special Programs Coordinator

Step 3. Apply for Financial Assistance

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Step 4. Register for Classes

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Jennifer Faunce Director of Graduate Enrollment Management
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Jennifer Faunce Director of Graduate Enrollment Management
Vicky Turner Doctoral Degree & Special Programs Coordinator
Curt Carlson, Ph.D. Professor/Coordinator

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