Barbara A. Greene, Chair and Graduate Liaison
321 Ellsworth Collings Hall
Norman, OK 73019-2041
Phone: (405) 325-5974
FAX: (405) 325-6655
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/education/edpsy
Barbara A. Greene, Chair and Graduate Liaison |
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Counseling Psychology: Professors Newman, Pace, Pappas, Stoltenberg; Associate Professor Beesley; Assistant Professors Frey, Robbins, McWhirter.
Instructional Psychology and Technology: Professor Greene, Miller; Associate Professors Bradshaw, DeBacker; Assistant Professors Crowson, Cullen, Ge, Hardre.
Special Education: Professors Gardner, Haring, Martin; Associate Professor Lovett; Assistant Professor Brandes.
The mission of the Department of Educational Psychology, through its programs in counseling, instructional psychology and technology, and special education is to:
1. Develop and disseminate new knowledge through research and scholarly activity, deliver quality instruction, and provide professional training worthy of recognition at the regional and national levels;
2. Provide service to the University and leadership to our respective disciplines at the state, regional and national levels;
3. Be responsive to those opportunities for research, training and service occurring at the junctures of those disciplines within the department, and;
4. Participate fully in those teacher-preparation and related educational programs, through which the College of Education meets the state’s needs for educational personnel.
A limited number of graduate assistantships and fellowships are available. These are usually reserved for students in doctoral programs. Applications can be made through the program area coordinator.
The Counseling Psychology Clinic is located on South Base at the corner of Lawrence and Constitution in Building S-6. The clinic functions as a mental health facility for Norman and surrounding areas with services provided by masters students in the community and school counseling programs and doctoral students in counseling psychology.
Admission to study for the master’s degree in education requires a grade point average of 3.00 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study. Additional requirements in some areas are determined by area faculty.
Admission to study beyond the master’s degree in education requires a minimum of 3.25 grade point average on all graduate work attempted, and additional requirements as determined by appropriate faculty committees. Graduate Record Examination scores are required of all applicants to doctoral programs and are used as one criterion for acceptance.
Prospective students are encouraged to consult the Department of Educational Psychology Graduate Student Handbook for information about program availability, and college and departmental requirements. In addition, the section of the Graduate Bulletin, which describes the procedures and requirements for graduate study at the University, should be reviewed and kept as a reference.
Applicants for programs leading to the degree of Master of Education must present a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field from an accredited college or university. A student must complete work within six calendar years after the student's first graduate enrollment at the University of Oklahoma.
Depending on program area, a written examination is required and thesis, non-thesis, or special project options may be applicable.
The program for the master's degree includes intensive preparation for a specialized type of educational or professional responsibility with study in associated fields. The exact pattern of the program will be determined after consultation with the advisor. The student should check with the program area for specific course requirements.
The specific requirements of each program are tailored to provide excellence of preparation in the field of practice.
Descriptions characterizing each master’s program follow. Prospective students are encouraged to seek additional information by contacting the program coordinator in their area of interest.
The counseling program area offers two master’s degree programs:
Community Counseling — This 49 credit-hour program is designed to train persons who are interested in working as counselors in various community, state, and federal agencies. All students complete a one-year supervised practicum at the OU Counseling Clinic, and a one-year internship at an external mental health agency. For graduates of this program who wish to pursue the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license issued by the state of Oklahoma, 11 hours of additional coursework is required. This additional coursework is available to those who wish to meet LPC requirements.
School Counseling — This 48 credit-hour program is designed to train persons interested in working as counselors in elementary and secondary schools in both public and private settings. It is a two-year, 48-hour program designed to accommodate the work schedules of public school teachers. Graduates of the program will have completed the coursework and experiences necessary to state certification as a school counselor in Oklahoma.
The program area in instructional psychology and technology offers four master’s degree options:
The Instructional Design master's degree option develops the knowledge and skills necessary for the execution and management of instructional design/development projects in a variety of settings. Study of the psychological foundations of learning and the elements of instructional design are central to this option. Instructional Designers work with content experts to develop training and instructional programs in business, industry, or government.
The Instructional Technology master's degree option provides general training in the area of instructional technology and curriculum design. This option provides expertise in a wide range of instructional technologies and associated best instructional practices. Employment settings for graduates of this option tend to be in business and government (including schools).
The Design and Development of Instructional Software master’s degree option prepares persons who wish to develop instructional software, including web-based instructional environments. Study of instructional design and the psychological foundations of learning provide a theoretical grounding for this option. The graduates of this option typically work in business or government training settings.
The Instructional Psychology and Technology masters’ degree option is develops expertise in the psychological foundations of learning and instruction. This option is particularly well suited to educators seeking to strengthen their instructional effectiveness.
The master’s degree program in special education is designed to prepare master educators to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in schools and other natural environments. It is possible to complete special education teacher certification requirements while working towards the M.Ed. degree. Graduates of the program typically assume positions as teachers or administrators of programs serving individuals with disabilities.
Students in the program are required to complete six core courses in special education and one introduction to research course. These core courses focus on advanced knowledge regarding instructional strategies, management techniques, accommodations, and modifications to support individuals with disabilities as they reach their fullest potential. Students take an additional 12 credit hours of elective courses designed to accommodate individual interests. Thus, students complete the program with either 32 or 34 credit hours depending on whether they select a non-thesis or thesis option. Students have the opportunity to work closely with nationally recognized faculty and develop a support network of professional colleagues as they become master educators.
Doctoral programs in the Department of Educational Psychology are designed for present and prospective administrative, service and faculty positions in colleges and universities, public schools, and other education and training agencies in government and the private sector. Doctoral programs exist in the areas of instructional psychology and technology, counseling psychology (accredited by the American Psychological Association) and special education.
Ph.D. programs in the Department of Educational Psychology are directed at development of scholarly expertise in an area and are intended to serve individuals who have promise of making contributions to their area of expertise. In addition, the Ph.D. counseling psychology program is designed to prepare licensed psychologists in this specialty area.
Admission to doctoral study in the department requires a minimum 3.25 grade point average on all graduate work attempted. All applicants must present Graduate Record Examination general test scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytic), which are used along with other data as a basis for admission. Programs may impose admission requirements in addition to those set by the Graduate College and the department. The program area coordinator should be consulted for special program application requirements, and for annual admission application deadlines. A TOEFL of 550 or better is required for international students.
An advisory committee will be appointed by the graduate dean upon recommendation from the student’s area and the department chair and/or graduate studies committee in consultation with the student. The advisory committee will consist of a chairperson from the student’s major field, at least one faculty representative outside the Department of Educational Psychology and other members to total at least five. The “outside member” should be a regular graduate faculty member at the University of Oklahoma Norman campus. The advisory conference will determine the program of study that must be completed to qualify for the degree.
Upon completion of the majority of required coursework (exclusive of dissertation), the student must complete the General Examination. Prior to attempting the General Examination, a student must demonstrate proficiency in research methods. For more detailed descriptions of research proficiency procedures, contact the graduate liaison in the department. The student must also meet all relevant requirements of the Graduate College, as well as those of the student’s individual program area.
The candidate is expected to complete all degree requirements within four years after the General Examinations. Failure to accomplish this may require the candidate to retake the General Examination.
Prospective students are encouraged to consult the Department of Educational Psychology Graduate Student Handbook for information about program availability, and college and departmental requirements. In addition, the section of the Graduate Bulletin, which describes the procedures and requirements for graduate study at the University, should be reviewed and kept as a reference.