Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website. Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online. |
Fall Deadline | December 1 |
Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring. |
Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Required. |
English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements (https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/#english-proficiency). |
Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
For admission to graduate work, the department does not require a specific undergraduate major. However, it is preferred that applicants have completed approximately 18 credits in courses that provide a relevant foundation for further study in educational psychology. Neither certification as a teacher nor teaching experience is required. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 basis) based on the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework is requisite. Also essential are a statement of purpose, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, and three letters of recommendation.
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
PROGRAM RESOURCES
Students are eligible to compete for UW–Madison fellowships. A limited number of teaching and project assistantships are available within the department, and prospective students are encouraged to refer to the instructions for fellowships and assistantships contained in the program application information.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Named Option Requirements
MODE OF INSTRUCTION
Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
---|---|---|---|---|
Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students are able to complete a program with minimal disruptions to careers and other commitments. Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments. Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus. Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information. Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format. |
CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Credit Requirement | Human development and quantitative methods track: 33 credits Learning sciences track: 36 credits School psychology track: 55 credits Note: These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | Human development and quantitative methods track: 27 credits Learning sciences track: 33 credits School psychology track: 52 credits Note: These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | Half of degree coursework must be completed graduate-level coursework; courses with the Graduate Level Coursework attribute are identified and searchable in the university's Course Guide (https://registrar.wisc.edu/course-guide/). |
Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. |
Other Grade Requirements | The Graduate School requires that students maintain a graduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for all graduate courses (excluding research) to receive a degree. Grades of Incomplete are considered to be unsatisfactory if they are not removed during the next enrolled semester. |
Assessments and Examinations | Human Development and Quantitative Methods - A thesis is required. Learning Sciences - A major area paper is required. School Psychology - A comprehensive literature review is required. |
Language Requirements | No language requirements. |
Required COURSES
Human Development Track1
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ED PSYCH 709 | Seminar in Research in Educational Psychology I | 3 |
ED PSYCH 710 | Seminar in Research in Educational Psychology II | 3 |
ED PSYCH 712 | Educational Psychology Diversity Seminar | 1 |
ED PSYCH 720 | Child Development | 3 |
ED PSYCH 721 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
ED PSYCH 760 | Statistical Methods Applied to Education I | 3 |
ED PSYCH 761 | Statistical Methods Applied to Education II | 3 |
Human Development Area Course | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Current Topics in Educational Psychology *with permission from HD Area Chair | ||
Developmental Processes Across the Life Span | ||
Theory and Issues in Human Development | ||
Laboratory in Developmental Research | ||
Seminar in Child Development | ||
Seminar in Adolescent Development | ||
Advanced Seminar in Human Development | ||
Elective credits approved by HD faculty 2 | 11 | |
Master's Thesis | ||
Total Credits | 33 |
1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
2 | ED PSYCH 990 Research or Thesis can not be counted towards coursework requirements. No more than four credits can be earned in ED PSYCH 999 Independent Reading. |
Learning Sciences Track1
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ED PSYCH 709 | Seminar in Research in Educational Psychology I | 3 |
ED PSYCH 710 | Seminar in Research in Educational Psychology II | 3 |
ED PSYCH 712 | Educational Psychology Diversity Seminar | 1 |
ED PSYCH 795 | Introduction to Learning Sciences I | 3 |
ED PSYCH 796 | Introduction to the Learning Sciences II | 3 |
Two classes (6 credits) in quantitative methods courses not including ED PSYCH 760 or its equivalent selected from the following: | 6 | |
Current Topics in Educational Psychology 2 | ||
Statistical Methods Applied to Education II | ||
Introduction to the Design of Educational Experiments | ||
Regression Models in Education | ||
Test Construction | ||
Factor Analysis, Multidimensional Scaling and Cluster Analysis | ||
Test Theory II | ||
Structural Equation Modeling | ||
Design & Analysis of Quasi-Experiments for Causal Inference | ||
Applied Bayesian Statistics for Education Research | ||
Advanced Seminar in Educational Measurement and Statistics | ||
ED PSYCH 711 | Current Topics in Educational Psychology (Topic: Current Issues in the Learning Sciences) | 4 |
ED PSYCH 711 | Current Topics in Educational Psychology (Topic: Academic Writing in Learning Sciences) | 3 |
One class (3 credits) in qualitative methods. | 3 | |
One additional class (3 credits) in the Learning Sciences area. 3 | 3 | |
Elective credits approved by LS faculty. | 4 | |
Major Area Paper | ||
Total Credits | 36 |
1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
2 | Topics: Missing Data in Educational Research, Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis, Graphical Methods for Causal Inference. |
3 | This includes any course in the Learning Sciences program area or any other approved course by the Learning Sciences faculty as covering appropriate content in the learning sciences. |
Quantitative Methods Track1
- Educational Statistics and Research Methodology subarea
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ED PSYCH 709 | Seminar in Research in Educational Psychology I | 3 |
ED PSYCH 710 | Seminar in Research in Educational Psychology II | 3 |
ED PSYCH 712 | Educational Psychology Diversity Seminar | 1 |
ED PSYCH 760 | Statistical Methods Applied to Education I | 3 |
ED PSYCH 761 | Statistical Methods Applied to Education II | 3 |
ED PSYCH 762 | Introduction to the Design of Educational Experiments | 3 |
ED PSYCH 763 | Regression Models in Education | 3 |
Two courses in the quantitative area (options below or additional courses chosen in consultation with advisor) | 6 | |
Test Construction | ||
Factor Analysis, Multidimensional Scaling and Cluster Analysis | ||
Test Theory II | ||
Structural Equation Modeling | ||
Design & Analysis of Quasi-Experiments for Causal Inference | ||
Hierarchical Linear Modeling | ||
Applied Bayesian Statistics for Education Research | ||
Advanced Seminar in Educational Measurement and Statistics | ||
Elective credits approved by QM faculty | 8 | |
Master's Thesis | ||
Total Credits | 33 |
1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
- Educational Measurement subarea
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ED PSYCH 709 | Seminar in Research in Educational Psychology I | 3 |
ED PSYCH 710 | Seminar in Research in Educational Psychology II | 3 |
ED PSYCH 712 | Educational Psychology Diversity Seminar | 1 |
ED PSYCH 760 | Statistical Methods Applied to Education I | 3 |
ED PSYCH 761 | Statistical Methods Applied to Education II | 3 |
ED PSYCH 771 | Test Construction | 3 |
Three courses in the quantitative area (options below or other chosen in consultation with advisor) | 9 | |
Introduction to the Design of Educational Experiments | ||
Regression Models in Education | ||
Test Theory II | ||
Structural Equation Modeling | ||
Design & Analysis of Quasi-Experiments for Causal Inference | ||
Hierarchical Linear Modeling | ||
Applied Bayesian Statistics for Education Research | ||
Advanced Seminar in Educational Measurement and Statistics | ||
Factor Analysis, Multidimensional Scaling and Cluster Analysis | ||
Elective credits approved by QM faculty | 8 | |
Master's Thesis | ||
Total Credits | 33 |
1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
School Psychology Track1
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ED PSYCH 540 | Introduction to Professional School Psychology | 2 |
ED PSYCH 541 | Applied Behavior Analysis in Classrooms | 3 |
ED PSYCH/COUN PSY/HDFS 726 | Ethnic and Racial Diversity in Social Development | 3 |
ED PSYCH 740 | Cognitive Assessment of Children in the Schools | 3 |
ED PSYCH 741 | Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
ED PSYCH 742 | Assessment and Intervention for Academic Skill Problems | 3 |
ED PSYCH 743 | Design and Analysis of Single-Case Research | 3 |
ED PSYCH 761 | Statistical Methods Applied to Education II | 3 |
ED PSYCH 762 | Introduction to the Design of Educational Experiments | 3 |
ED PSYCH 844 | Childhood and Adolescent Psychopathology in Schools | 3 |
ED PSYCH 942 | Systems of Consultation in School Psychology | 2-3 |
ED PSYCH 947 | Evidenced-based Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy | 3 |
ED PSYCH 948 | Research and Measurement Seminar in School Psychology | 3 |
ED PSYCH 840 | Clinical Practicum in School Psychology | 1-6 |
1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Named Option-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Work from Other Institutions
With program approval, students are allowed to count no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a master’s is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
UW–Madison Undergraduate
No credits from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to count toward the degree.
UW–Madison University Special
With program approval, students are allowed to count no more than 9 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above taken as a UW–Madison University Special student. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
The Graduate School regularly reviews the record of any student who earned grades of BC, C, D, F, or Incomplete in a graduate course (300 or above), or grade of U in research credits. This review could result in academic probation with a hold on future enrollment or in being suspended from the Graduate School.
ADVISOR / COMMITTEE
Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects them to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
An advisor generally serves as the thesis advisor. In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor. An advisor is a faculty member, or sometimes a committee, from the major department responsible for providing advice regarding graduate studies.
CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED
15 credits
Time Constraints
Master’s degree students who have been absent for five or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence. Individual programs may count the coursework students completed prior to their absence for meeting program requirements; that coursework may not count toward Graduate School credit requirements.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Any student who feels that they have been treated unfairly by a faculty or staff member has the right to complain about the treatment and to receive a prompt hearing of the grievance, following these grievance procedures. The complaint may concern course grades, classroom treatment, program admission, or other issues. To insure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint, and to protect both the rights of the student and the person at whom the complaint is addressed, the procedures below are used in the School of Education.
The person whom the complaint is directed against must be an employee of the School of Education. Any student or potential student may use these procedures unless the complaint is covered by other campus rules or contracts. The following steps are available within the School of Education when a student has a grievance:
- The student should first talk with the person against whom the grievance is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. If the complaint is directed against a teaching assistant, and the student is not satisfied, the next step would be to talk to the TA's supervisor, who is usually the course professor. If the complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, the student may continue to step 2.
- If the complaint does not involve an academic department, the procedure outlined in Step 4 below should be followed. If the complaint involves an academic department, the student should contact the chair of the department. The chair will attempt to resolve the problem informally. If this cannot be done to the student's satisfaction, the student may submit the grievance to the chair in writing. This must be done within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.
- On receipt of a written complaint, the chair will refer the matter to a departmental committee, which will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed. This response shall be shared with the person filing the grievance. The chair will provide a timely written decision to the student on the action taken by the committee.
- If either party is not satisfied with the decision of the department, they have five working days from receipt of the decision to contact the dean's office (at the number below), indicating the intention to appeal. If the complaint does not involve an academic department in the school, the student must contact the dean's office within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.
- In either case, there will be an attempt to resolve the issue informally by the associate dean. If this cannot be done, the complaint can be filed in writing with the dean's office. This must be done within 10 working days of the time the appealing party was notified that informal resolution was unsuccessful.
- On receipt of such a written complaint, the associate dean will convene a subcommittee of the school's Equity & Diversity Committee. This subcommittee may ask for additional information from the parties involved and may hold a hearing at which both parties will be asked to speak separately. The subcommittee will then make a written recommendation to the dean of the School of Education who will render a decision. Unless a longer time is negotiated, this written decision shall be made within 20 working days from the date when the grievance was filed with the dean's office.
Questions about these procedures can be directed to the School of Education Dean's Office, 377 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, 608-262-1763.
State law contains additional provisions regarding discrimination and harassment. Wisconsin Statutes 36.12 reads, in part: "No student may be denied admission to, participation in or the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any service, program, course or facility of the system or its institutions or center because of the student's race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status or parental status." In addition, UW–System prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression. Students have the right to file discrimination and harassment complaints with the Office of Compliance, 361 Bascom Hall, 608-265-6018, uwcomplianceoffice@wisc.edu.
Other
n/a
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Faculty
Professors: Asmus, Bell, Bellmore, Bolt, Brown, Enright, Kaplan, Kim, Nathan, Puntambekar, Quintana, Shaffer, Wollack (chair)
Associate Professors: Albers, Eklund, Garbacz, Hubbard, Kilgus, Matthews, Pustejovsky, Rau, Vlach
Assistant Professors: Klingbeil, Short
Clinical Associate Professor: Kelly
Clinical Assistant Professor: Hagermoser-Bayley