Most Affordable Online Master's In Educational Psychology Degrees

Overview

Originally founded as a teacher’s college in 1890, the University of North Texas has a strong history in education. The College of Education is one of 11 academic colleges at UNT. Around 4,100 students attend the College of Education. UNT’s overall student body consists of over 38,000.

Program Features

The online MS in Educational Psychology at UNT has been dubbed the “Executive Summer-to-Summer” program. Most students finish in 15 months by starting one summer and graduating the next! This 33-credit-hour curriculum focuses on a Gifted & Talented track. You’ll take coursework such as:

• Program Planning for the Education of G&T Students
• Nature and Needs of the Gifted and Talented
• Human Development Across the Lifespan
• Social and Emotional Components of Giftedness

Notables

UNT makes it easy for you to cater this degree to your needs. For one, classes are heavily weighted toward the summer months to accommodate the schedule of full-time teachers. And UNT didn’t make the #1 spot on our list for nothing! The department offers tuition discounts and scholarships to qualifying students.

Overview

Just over a mile away from the Las Vegas Strip, the University of Nevada is a public research institution that enrolls around 30,400 students. It ranks high in hospitality management, though the College of Education also stands out. Around 800 graduate students are enrolled in education programs.

Program Features

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas offers an online MS in Educational Psychology that is designed for K-12 special education teachers. This curriculum will prepare you in the research, literature, theory, and application of educational psychology. Your coursework will cover some of the following areas:

• Human Growth & Development
• Foundations of Learning & Cognition
• Human Measurement: Psychometric Literacy
• Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

Notables

You’ll take a total of 34 credit hours with this program. At the end of your degree, you have the option to either complete a thesis or take a comprehensive exam. The comprehensive exam covers three core areas: 1) learning; 2) development; and 3) research methods, statistics, and measurement.

Overview

An early leader in teacher education, the University of Northern Colorado was founded in 1889. It is based in Greeley, CO, but also has locations in Loveland and Colorado Springs. Almost one-third of the winners of the state’s “Teacher of the Year” award are graduates of UNC’s College of Education and Behavioral Science.

Program Features

The online MA in Educational Psychology at UNC focuses specifically on Teaching Applications. You’ll be up to date on the latest research in educational theory and practice. The curriculum works through a five-semester schedule. You’ll move through the degree with an online cohort. Just a few of the required courses include:

• Cultural Issues in Educational Psychology
• Cognition and Instruction
• Educational Assessment
• Life Span Development Psychology

Notables

When it comes to online education in Colorado, UNC rises to the top. In fact, U.S. News & World Report gave it the #9 spot in its list of the Best Online Master of Education Degree Program in the nation. By proxy, it is #1 in that same category within Colorado.  

Overview

A star of Tennessee higher education, the University of Memphis is home to nearly 21,000 students. It takes affordability serious. This year, the University of Memphis declared a freeze on tuition, making it the only university in the state to not increase tuition for the school year.

Program Features

You’ll find a thesis-based online MS in Educational Psychology at the University of Memphis. This 36-credit-hour program is divided up into core classes, concentration classes, electives, and a thesis project. You’ll leave with a full understanding of educational psychology research, theory, and application with classes like:

• Statistical Methods Applied to Education
• Adolescent Psychology Applied to Education
• Learning and Cognition
• Life-Span Human Development

Notables

There are fantastic ways for you to take your education a step further at the University of Memphis. Through groups like the Educational Psychology and Research Colloquia, Childhood Study Group, or Statistical Consulting, you can engage with faculty and students in your field.

Overview

Located in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is made up of eight academic colleges. Over 22,500 students attend the university, studying over 250 different degree programs. This year, U.S. News & World Report named it the #9 Best Online Graduate Education Program for Veterans.

Program Features

The online MA in Educational Psychology at Ball State University gives you room to grow. This is an 18-month program that offers four areas of specialization: statistical and research methods, gifted and talented, neuropsychology, or human development. Each track includes 12 credit-hours of upper-level coursework like:

• Child Development
• Structural Equation Modeling
• Investigating the Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students
• Child Neurodevelopment

Notables

Don’t stop with just a master’s degree! Ball State University offers a number of online graduate certificates. You can earn one in the following areas: gifted and talented education, human development and learning, and neuropsychology. This is a great way to add another specialization to your degree.

Overview

The oldest institution of higher education in the state, the University of Iowa is situated in Iowa City. Its College of Education was founded in 1872, and currently ranks at #48 in the nation among other education schools. Around 500 undergraduates and 640 graduate students study education at the University of Iowa.

Program Features

The University of Iowa offers a unique MA in Learning Sciences. This 30-credit-hour program analyzes the theory and research behind learning patterns. You’ll have the chance to specialize in one of three areas: Human Development and Motivation, Technology and Media, or Measurement and Evaluation. Some highlight classes include:

• Design of Learning Environments
• Cognition and Learning
• Quantitative Educational Research Methods
• Advanced Child Development

Notables

One great way to differentiate yourself from the rest in your field is to earn the online Talented and Gifted Endorsement. This is a K-12 endorsement that would let you work with a special population in schools. It involves 12 credit-hours, which includes a practicum experience.

Overview

Eastern Michigan University is a public university based in Ypsilanti, MI. The College of Education is home to one of the oldest special education programs in the nation. It offers over 30 unique graduate degrees. According to EMU, one in every four teachers in the state earned their degree at Eastern Michigan University.

Program Features

The MA in Educational Psychology at Eastern Michigan University combines basic concepts with advanced application. You’ll take a total of 30 credit hours. These will be divided into core courses, Developing Learner courses, and a culminating experience. Some of the specialized classes include:

• Psychology of Creativity for Educators
• Designing Classroom Assessments
• Crisis Intervention
• Children in Poverty: Educational Implications

Notables

The curriculum for this program gets to the heart of educational psychology. Your Developing Learner courses are split into three categories: cognitive, emotional, and social. This allows you to become an expert one of the three areas, and cater your classroom application to these specific dynamics.

Overview

Named after Edinburgh, Scotland, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is a small public university that celebrates its Scottish background. The school has a bagpipe band and hosts an annual Scottish festival. Education students can take part in Kappa Delta Pi, the Education Honor Society.

Program Features

Offered completely online, the MA in Educational Psychology is a flexible and engaging degree program. Graduates can complete this degree part-time over the span of two years. Instead of a field experience, you’ll take a comprehensive exam following your classwork. Some courses you’ll take in the meantime include:

• Psychoeducational Counseling and Interviewing
• Learning Theories
• Statistical Methods in Education
• Applied Behavior Analysis

Notables

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania allows you to get specific in shaping your future career. You can either pursue this MA in Educational Psychology, or you can enroll in the Educational Specialist in School Psychology program. This is also an online program, although it includes a field experience element.

Overview

The University of Georgia is a public research institution located in Athens, GA. A “Public Ivy,” UGA is known to be highly selective when it comes to admissions. U.S. News & World Report ranked UGA as the thirty-fifth best education program in the nation. When it comes to return on investment, SmartMoney named it fourth in the country.

Program Features

The College of Education delivers graduates an online M.Ed. in Educational Psychology, Applied Cognition, and Development. This is an interdisciplinary degree with a lot to offer. Your curriculum will prepare you to teach both children and adults. Over the course of two years, you’ll complete 34 credit hours. Some stand-out classes include:

• Emerging Approaches in Teaching, Learning, and Technology
• Multicultural Issues in Adult Education
• Designing Qualitative Research
• Assessment of Gifted Children and Youth

Notables

One notable feature of the program at the University of Georgia is the numerous concentrations within the degree. You can choose one of four distinct tracks: Learning with Technology, Learning across the Lifespan, Qualitative Approaches to Education, Development of High Intellectual Capability.

Overview

One of Princeton Review’s “America’s Best Value Colleges,” the University of Southern Maine is a small but noteworthy school. It maintains three campuses throughout the region in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston. The school boasts an impressive 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 25 students.

Program Features

At the University of Southern Maine, you’ll earn an online MS in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. Divided into 12 courses, or 36 credit-hours, you’ll have the option of attending on a part-time or full-time basis. The curriculum covers theory, assessment, and analysis with classes like:

• Special Education Regulations, Procedures, and IEP Team
• Clinical Research Methods
• Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
• Physical Bases of Behavior

Notables

The University of Southern Maine takes a number of efforts to make this program affordable. For one, out-of-state online students receive a discounted e-tuition rate. There are also a number of available scholarships that are specific to graduate students in education. The awards vary, but some can be upwards of $3,000.