Wist Hall 214
1776 University Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7775
Fax: (808) 956-6615
Web: coe.hawaii.edu/edep/

Faculty

*Graduate Faculty

*L. Yamauchi, PhD (Chair)—cultural influences on learning and development; educational experiences of students, teachers and families from non-majority backgrounds; sociocultural theories
*S. Im, PhD—statistical and psychometric models for item and test scores; scale validation in education and the social sciences
*M. Liu, PhD—multivariate methods, structural equation modeling and mixture modeling, with an emphasis in studying observed and latent group differences in social and behavioral science
*M. Murphy, PhD—quantitative methods, program evaluation, partnership research, education policy, equity

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

A. AhSam, PhD—culturally responsive evaluation, higher education access and success for diverse students, family child interaction learning programs, culturally responsive after school programs
E. B. Chapman de Sousa, PhD—multilingual learning, sociocultural approaches to teaching and learning
B. D. DeBaryshe, PhD—early childhood development, early childhood programs and policy, child and family resilience and wellbeing
A. Maynard, PhD—developmental, cultural, siblings and socialization, cognitive change
J. Miranda, PhD—educational measurement; assessment; program evaluation; accreditation preparation, implementation, and research; and applied linguistics/language learning.
H. J. Park, PhD—evaluation, mixed methods, exceptional students, and culturally and linguistically diverse and economically disadvantaged students

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

G. Harrison, PhD—validity, measurement and evaluation, and metacognition
T. R. Wyatt, PhD—racism in medical education, cultural influences on teaching and learning, decolonial research, professional identity formation

Degrees Offered: MEd in educational psychology, PhD in educational psychology, graduate certificates in Measurement & Statistics, and Program Evaluation

The Academic Program

The Department of Educational Psychology promotes inquiry in human learning and development within the context of a diverse society. Specifically, the major areas of study include human learning, human development, research methodology, statistics, measurement, and assessment and evaluation. Students may also complete certificates in Measurement & Statistics or Program Evaluation.

The department’s MEd and PhD programs prepare individuals to perform career activities–basic and applied research, teaching, and mentoring–in universities, school systems, and other human service institutions and agencies, both public and private.

Graduate Study

Graduate study is primarily oriented toward students with specific professional educational objectives, but it is also applicable to students who find a major in educational psychology congruent with their personal objectives, and who wish to engage in elective study to the greatest extent possible while fulfilling degree requirements.

Initial Faculty Advising

Upon entrance to the graduate program, each student is assigned a temporary advisor to facilitate the student’s progress through the program. Initial assignment or choice of a temporary advisor in no way obligates the student to select the temporary advisor as their program advisor or to include the temporary advisor as their committee member. Likewise, the temporary advisor has no obligation to serve on the student’s committee. The system of temporary advisors is merely a way of identifying a specific faculty member the student can call upon for advice. The temporary advisor can be changed at any time.

In order to maintain a close working relationship between the students and the faculty, students are required to undertake self-assessment activities every semester. After completing a written self-assessment, students meet with the EDEP faculty at the end of each semester to review and direct progress toward their degrees. Students who have successfully defended their proposal and are making good progress are not required to attend these meetings.

Master of Education in Educational Psychology

The MEd program in Educational Psychology is directed toward increasing students’ competence in educational inquiry. In general, the domain of inquiry encompasses human learning and development in the context of education and measurement, evaluation, and applied statistics in education. Courses are offered in the areas of human learning, cognition, and development; statistics, measurement, evaluation, and research design and methodology. The program prepares students to provide instruction and consultation appropriate for all educational levels and conduct basic and applied research and evaluation in public and private educational settings.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the application form required by Graduate Division, prospective students must submit:

1. Department of Educational Psychology professional goals statement.
2. Three recommendation forms attesting to academic and professional strengths. Academic recommendations are preferred.
3. Transcript(s) of all prior undergraduate and graduate course work to Graduate Division.
4. For non-native speakers of English, a minimum TOEFL score of 600/100 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (overall band test results) unless waived in accordance with Graduate Division guidelines.

Note: Applications for admission to the MEd program must be received by March 1 for the fall semester and by October 1 for the spring semester. Students should apply via the College of Education Mākālei website (makalei.coe.hawaii.edu/student) or by mail, email, or in person.

Degree Requirements

After admission, the student and their temporary advisor detail a program of study, which includes a minimum of 30 credits for Plan A (Thesis) and Plan B (Non-thesis) candidates. Courses at or above the 400 level may be applied to an individual’s program of study, though a minimum of 18 credits must be earned in courses numbered 600-798. Up to 12 credits completed prior to admission to the program may be transferred for credit toward the degree. Students are required to take EDEP 601, 608, 611, 661 a graduate seminar (EDEP 768), and one of the following EDEP 602, 604, or 613 as part of their 30 credits. Students must receive a grade no lower than B- for all core courses.

A minimum residency of two semesters of full-time study or the equivalent in credits at UH Mānoa is required. Relatively soon after entering the program, students are expected to choose between Plan A and Plan B options.

Plan A (Thesis)

Students whose objective is doctoral study are recommended to define a Plan A program of study at the master’s level. Plan A candidates must take at least 6 credits of thesis research (EDEP 700). At the discretion of the thesis chair, up to five credits of EDEP 699, previously completed, may be substituted for five of the six EDEP 700 credits. Graduate Division requires that a minimum of 12 credits must be earned in courses numbered 600-798, in addition to six credits of directed reading (EDEP 699) and thesis research (EDEP 700).

The development of a thesis proposal is concurrent with the selection of a thesis chair and committee. The proposal includes a literature review that contextualizes the research question(s) within existing research and theory. The proposal also includes a description of the proposed research design and methods, including how the data will be analyzed. Students work with their thesis chair to develop their proposal. After the thesis proposal is defended and approved, and Human Studies Program approval is received, Master’s Form II is submitted to Graduate Division, and the student may enroll in thesis research (EDEP 700) at the beginning of the next academic semester. Students must register for at least one EDEP 700 credit during the semester in which they graduate and apply for graduation by the appropriate deadline.

It is the responsibility of the student to keep all members of the thesis committee informed of the scope, plan, and progress of the thesis research. Copies of the completed thesis that are approved by the thesis chair must be submitted to committee members at least two weeks prior to the date of the final oral examination by the student committee. Upon successful defense of the thesis and subsequent completion of revisions, Master’s Form III is submitted to Graduate Division. When the final edited document is submitted to Graduate Division, Form IV should be submitted at the same time.

Plan B (Thesis)

The culminating requirement is a Plan B project/paper, an original educational inquiry resulting in a product that informs educational practice. The development of a Plan B project is concurrent with the selection of a Plan B advisor. Students develop a 8-10 page proposal outlining their projects that are then approved by both their Plan B advisor and a second reader that the student and advisor selects. Not more than 6 credits in directed reading/research (EDEP 699) may be applied to meet degree requirements. A presentation of the Plan B project/paper is required during the final semester.

If candidates are not enrolled in other courses, they must be enrolled in at least one credit of EDEP 699, Directed Reading and Research. Students must apply for graduation when registering for their final semester of study.

BAM Program: Dual Enrollment Program

The Department offers a dual-enrollment program with the UH Mānoa Department of Psychology, leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a MEd in Educational Psychology. During their senior year, BAM students will be enrolled in the two programs, taking nine credits that count for both the BA and MEd. In order for courses to be double-counted, students must be enrolled in the BAM program. They will complete a master’s thesis or Plan B paper, working with an EDEP faculty member.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the application requirements described in the previous section on prospective MEd students, prospective BAM students must have received a B or better in PSY 301/ EDEP 311. Candidates should apply in their junior year for admission in their senior year. Interested students should contact the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office (psyadv@hawaii.edu or bit.ly/2HYiONF) for advising before they submit their MEd application. BAM applicants interested in applying for summer admission should contact the EDEP office.

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Endorsed Certificates in Measurement & Statistics and Program Evaluation

The Department of Educational Psychology offers two 15-credit graduate certificates that are university endorsed. Certificate completers will receive a certificate indicating completion of the required courses, and the accomplishment will be shown on UH transcripts.

Applicants for certificate programs must be in a classified graduate program, or be eligible for unclassified graduate status at UH Mānoa, and must have demonstrated previous course work in statistics with grades of B+ or above

The 15-credit Measurement and Statistics (MS) certificate addresses a need to develop documented expertise in measurement and statistics for masters and doctoral students across the campus. Students can tailor the courses that they take to their own interests and needs. A capstone project course gives students an opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge to relevant projects suitable for their own interests. The research results will be shared in a public forum at the end of the semester the certificate is completed. Students who demonstrate their proficiency through the MS curriculum will be able to work in state, national, and international testing offices and research units and in higher education offices that require expertise in measurement and statistics. The pre-requisite for the MS certificate is EDEP 604 Applied Regression and Analysis of Variance or an equivalent graduate course.

The 15-credit Program Evaluation (EPPE) certificate focuses on the theories, designs and practices of program evaluation. A capstone project course that includes a community-based capstone project helps students apply their skills in an authentic and relevant context. The research results will be shared in a public forum at the end of the semester the certificate is completed. Students who demonstrate their proficiency through the PE curriculum will be able to work in research units and in higher education offices that require expertise in program evaluation. The pre-requisite for the EPPE certificate is EDEP 608 Introduction to Educational Research or an equivalent graduate course.

Students can transfer/substitute up to one course to the certificate if that course is equivalent to a required course of the certificate. Any substitution/transfer course must be approved by the EDEP faculty.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students should submit an application found on the Graduate Division’s website and visit the College of Education’s Mākālei website, makalei.coe.hawaii.edu/ for application guidance for the MS or EPPE certificate programs. Applications must be received by April 1 for the fall semester and by November 1 for the spring semester.

Doctoral Degree

The PhD program in Educational Psychology is directed toward increasing students’ competence in educational inquiry, and provides rigorous knowledge and expertise with two specializations, 1) human learning and development; and 2) measurement, statistics, and evaluation (MSE). Courses are offered in the areas of human learning, cognition, and development; and statistics, measurement, evaluation and research design and methodology. The program prepares individuals to conduct applied and original research and evaluation in public and private educational settings and provide instruction and consultation appropriate for all educational levels.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the application form required by Graduate Division, prospective students must also submit:

1. Department of Educational Psychology professional goals statement.
2. Three recommendation forms attesting to academic and professional strengths. Academic recommendations are preferred.
3. Transcript(s) of all prior undergraduate and graduate course work to Graduate Division.
4. Official scores (within the past 5 years) on the Graduate Record Exam Aptitude Test to Graduate Division.
5. For non-native speakers of English, a minimum TOEFL score of 600/100 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (overall band test results) unless waived in accordance with Graduate Division guidelines.
6. Evidence of research competence (e.g., master’s research thesis, a published or publishable article, or a research proposal).

Note: Applications for admission to the PhD program must be received by March 1 for the fall semester and by October 1 for the spring semester.

Students should apply via the College of Education Mākālei website (makalei.coe.hawaii.edu/student) or by mail, email, or in person.

Procedure for Completing the PhD Degree

Each student works closely with members of the graduate faculty to define an individual program of study. A typical program spans three to five years of concentrated study within the broadly defined discipline of educational psychology.

Program requirements include (a) completion of required core courses; (b) completion of required interdisciplinary specialization; (c) college teaching experience in conjunction with one or more faculty members; (d) documentation of directed research experiences; and (e) a minimum residency of three semesters of full-time work or the equivalent in credits at UH Mānoa.

Completion of Core Courses

Students must receive a grade of at least B in all core courses. The purposes of the core courses are (a) to determine whether to encourage students to proceed in the PhD program; (b) to develop an appropriate plan of study; and (c) to advance to candidacy. See EDEP handbook for a list of core courses.

Dissertation Prospectus

The development of a dissertation prospectus is done in conjunction with the identification of the dissertation committee chair. The prospectus is a 10-15 page description (exclusive of references) of the proposed dissertation that is developed in consultation with a prospective chair and submitted to the faculty. The prospectus includes the statement of the problem, its relevance to educational psychology, the design of the investigation, and analysis. If there are no major objections to this prospectus from the graduate faculty as a whole, the student forms a doctoral committee based on mutual interest.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is taken after the prospectus is approved and either before or after the proposal defense, as agreed upon by the committee. Committee members typically formulate two to four questions that may be related to the student’s proposal but may be broader in scope. Typically, students are given between two to four weeks to complete the written comprehensive exam; however, each committee determines the exact timeline. An oral defense will be scheduled after the written answers are turned in. The committee will have at least two weeks to read the written answers before the oral defense. A student who fails any portion of the comprehensive examination twice will be dismissed from both the graduate program and Graduate Division, unless recommended otherwise by the graduate chair.

Dissertation Proposal

The student develops a dissertation proposal in consultation with the dissertation committee. The dissertation proposal includes a literature review that contextualizes the question(s) within existing research and theory. The proposal also includes a description of the proposed research methods, including how the data will be analyzed. A formal oral defense of the proposal is made by the student to the doctoral committee in order to confirm approval of the proposed research. When students pass the comprehensive exam and proposal defense, and receive Human Studies Program approval, the Doctorate Form II will be submitted to Graduate Division.

Completion of the Program

Students will work closely with their dissertation chair as they collect data, analyze it and write the dissertation. It is the responsibility of the student to keep all members of the dissertation committee informed of the scope, plan, and progress of the dissertation research. Copies of the completed dissertation must be submitted to the committee members at least two weeks prior to the date of the final oral examination. Upon successful defense of the dissertation, Doctorate Form III is submitted to Graduate Division. After completion of revisions, the final edited document is submitted to Graduate Division. Form IV should be submitted at the same time.