Admissions
The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Educational Psychology and Research prepares advanced educational practitioners with research skills in the areas of human development, cognitive processes in learning, and educational research methods.
Program objectives are:
- Ability to conduct basic research in one’s own professional field;
- Preparation for advanced study in educational and social science research;
- Adaptability to professional and career change.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Educational Psychology and Research is designed to prepare innovative researchers and professional practitioners for university teaching, applied research, or other professional roles through interdisciplinary training in fields of human development (infancy, childhood, and adolescence, adulthood and aging), learning processes (motivation,cognitive processes and learning science), quantitative and qualitative research methods, and program evaluation.
Since the purpose of this doctoral training is to prepare students to conduct research in a specialized area, individuals with no interest and plan to conduct research should not apply to this doctoral program.
Program objectives are: (1) to contribute to the professional field through applied research (i.e.presentations, publications and scholarly writing); (2) to prepare for careers as academicians in institutions of higher education and/or applied researchers in professional settings; (3) to develop leadership skills for professional organizations through evidence-based professional activities.
Application Components:
M.S. Admission Requirement
An applicants must submit a completed application packet, including:
- Online application to the University of Memphis Graduate School
- Official transcripts from one’s undergraduate and/or graduate studies
- A 500-word statement of purpose, that includes a description of the applicant’s career goals and research interests
- Three letters of recommendation from three former professors or instructors
GRE Scores are not required.
Applicants to the MS program are evaluated and admitted two times per academic year. All application information must be received by November 1 for the Spring semester admission, and March 1 for Fall semester admission. Applications from international students are accepted only by March 1 deadline for Fall admission. Late application submissions may be considered on an individual basis, but these will normally be deferred to the following semester. The admission committee may request a personal interview. Multiple criteria will be used when considering applicant admission, including, but not limited to, undergraduate and graduate grade point average, the statement of purpose, relevant employment history, and three letters of recommendation. Although the required minimal GPA is 3.0, the typical GPA of admitted M.S. students is on average 3.30 or higher. All admission forms are available online on the Graduate Admissions website.
Ph.D. Admission Requirements
Multiple criteria will be used when considering applicant admission. The average GRE scores of the admitted doctoral students range from 149 to 154 for Quantitative reasoning and from 146 to 158 for Verbal reasoning. Although the required GPA is minimally 3.0, the typical GPA of admitted doctoral students is 3.79 on average. In addition to the required undergraduate and graduate transcripts, grade point average, GRE scores, and relevant employment history, the following will be given careful consideration
GRE is waived for applicants with a GPA of 3. 25 or greater for students whose last completed degree was at Master’s level. GRE is waived for students with a GPA of 3. 5 for applicants with only a Bachelor’s degree.
- The following average GRE scores are suggested for doctoral applicants who have a GPA lower than 3. 25:
- A quantitative score 149 or higher;
- A verbal reasoning score 146 or higher, and
- An analytical Writing score 3 or higher;
- Letters of recommendation from at least three university faculty members familiar with the applicant’s academic background and aptitude for graduate work, specifying in detail the applicant’s ability and potential to conduct research for future performance and scholarship.
- A statement of 800-1200 words indicating the applicant’s prior research experience, present research interests, relevant professional experiences, and future career goals.
- An identification of 2-3 potential Educational Psychology and Research faculty members the applicant would like to work with based on mutual research interests or methodologies, including reviewing their websites and publications.
- A writing sample by the applicant only, such as a previously completed university term paper or a similar expository writing from the applicant’s professional activity.
- A willingness to be interviewed by members of the Educational Psychology & Research faculty, should that be required.
Complete and submit your application!
Apply for Graduate Admissions >
Important Deadlines for Completed Application Packets:
Fall Semester: March 1
Spring Semester: November 1
(International applicants are encouraged to submit applications by November 1 if financial
aid is desired.)
Limited graduate assistantships are available for full-time doctoral students. An assistantship requires working for the department for 20 hours a week during the fall and/or spring semester. The assistantship can require being available on campus during the day or evening.
Please review the UofM Graduate Catalog > for current requirements for the degree.
International Students Resources
The University's International Student Office (ISO) has a wealth of information for International Students. Please be sure to look at Information for New Students if you are and international student who is new to the University of Memphis.
We also have specific information for those students who are applying to the EDPR Doctoral Program from China.
Graduate Assistantships
Applicants to the Ph.D. Program in Educational Psychology and Research may apply for a graduate assistantship package which includes a coverage of tuition and fees for up to nine (9) graduate credit hours per semester with a monthly stipend over a nine-month period. Summer tuition and funding are not covered, nor are additional fees for online courses. These assistantships are merit-based for full-time students only. All assistantship assignments will follow the Graduate School regulations.
The Educational Psychology and Research program strongly encourages international Ph.D. applicants to apply for the assistantship in the fall for the following academic year.