Educational Psychology & Child Study

Explore the Master of Arts in Educational Studies, a comprehensive graduate program designed to deepen understanding of education, learning, development, and research in education and social change. Tailor your studies with concentrations like Research for Social Change, Higher Education Administration, Applied Research Methods, and Educational Psychology and Child Study.

In the Educational Psychology and Child Study concentration, students explore developmental learning sciences, encompassing human learning and development, cognitive psychology, and child development. Gain expertise in understanding the complexities of learning and child development while preparing for impactful careers in education, psychology and child advocacy. Unlock your potential to make a difference in the lives of children and communities.

The vast majority of our students move into a career related to higher education within a few months of graduation. Preparation for a career in Educational Psychology and Child Study is designed through a combination of coursework, guided experiences, and a master’s project or thesis. Students can tailor a focus of study that best serves their professional aspirations and, together with their advisor, design a program of study fitted to individual interests and professional goals.

The Educational Psychology and Child Study concentrations focus on an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human development and learning. Learning opportunties include theory and research from the fields of developmental psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and early childhood education. Coursework offers theoretical and practical examinations of age-related and individual differences that emerge in factors affecting physical, behavioral, social-emotional, cross-cultural, biological, cognitive, and personality development and learning. The program also examines the influences of family, community and social environments.

• Cognitive development and learning
• Early Childhood Education for Sustainablity (ECEfS)
• Educational neuroscience
• Informal STEM learning
• Mathematical cognition, difficulties and intervention
• Memory development
• Nature-based early learning
• PlayScapes
• Teaching and learning of gifted students
• Arlitt Child Development Center
• The Arlitt PlayScape
• Developmental & Learning Sciences Research Laboratory

Faculty in the Educational Psychology and Child Study concentration within the Educational Studies M.A. program are recognized experts in the education field. With nearly 100 publications; a range of presentations; various research and practice interests; and a depth of training and education experiences, the concentration's distinguished faculty members are well-positioned to train tomorrow's leaders in the field of higher education.