The master's program in learning, cognition, and development is intended for students wishing to study the psychology of human learning, cognition, and development as it applies to education. This program of study serves as an enriching theoretical background for the educational professional and/or as a foundation for further study at the doctoral level. The study of how human beings learn, think, and grow forms the academic core of a variety of educational careers and applied doctoral programs and allows the student with an interest in psychology to obtain a master's degree while keeping options open concerning future employment and/or possible doctoral training. Students matriculating in the program will benefit from a background in academic psychology. Students admitted without this background may need to select more than the minimum of 30 credits. A completed research project is required of students planning to pursue doctoral work.
Degree Requirements
The program requires a minimum of 30 credits, including:
1. 9 credits of coursework in the department, to include each of the learning, cognition, and development emphases below. Students are required to take one of the courses marked with a single asterisk (*) in each area, unless they have taken an equivalent course at the undergraduate level. In such cases, students may select a more advanced course (from this list) with the approval of their program adviser.
Learning Courses (3 credits)
15:295:580 Psychology of Learning (3)*
15:295:510 Cooperative and Collaborative Learning (3)
15:295:518 Motivation in the Classroom (3)**
15:295:620 Problem Based Learning (3)
15:295:590 Seminar in Learning, Cognition, and Development (3)**
16:300:582 Educational Psychology II: Theories of Cognition and Instruction (3)
16:300:691 Cognitive and Motivational Learning Strategies (3)**
Cognition Courses (3 credits)
15:295:502 Cognition and Memory (3)*
15:290:522 Cognition and Language from Birth to Age Eight: Normal Development and Implications for Risk and Disability (3)**
15:295:518 Motivation in the Classroom (3)**
15:295:590 Seminar in Learning, Cognition, and Development (3)**
15:295:611 Memory Systems and Processes (3)
16:300:597 Language Acquisition (3)
16:300:691 Cognitive and Motivational Learning Strategies (3)**
Development Courses (3 credits)
15:290:521 Child, Family, and Community: Relationships in Development (3)
15:290:522 Cognition and Language from Birth to Age Eight: Normal Development and Implications for Risk and Disability (3)**
15:295:512 Introduction to Child Psychology: Infancy through Adolescence (3)*
15:295:590 Seminar in Learning, Cognition, and Development (3)**
16:300:581 Educational Psychology I: Theories of Development (3)
16:300:591 Cognitive Development (3)
2. 6 credits of electives within the learning, cognition, and development program. These electives allow students to engage in more in-depth study of an area of interest.
3. 6 credits in educational statistics or measurement (typically, 15:291:531,532).
4. 6 credits of electives other than courses with a 290 (educational psychology), or 295 (learning, cognition, and development) subject code.
5. 3 credits in either (1) a research project (15:295:609) completed in consultation with a faculty adviser; (2) a literature review (15:290:601) completed in consultation with a faculty adviser; or (3) a third 3-credit elective within learning, cognition, and development along with a writing experience requirement (the writing experience requirement involves submitting to the department a semester paper of 15 pages or more with a grade of B+ or better from a learning, cognition, and development course). Students intending to pursue doctoral study should enroll in 15:295:609 Research in Learning, Cognition, and Development.
*These courses are recommended for students with a minimal background in the area.
**These courses are listed in two categories. However, students may not use any single course to fulfill requirements in more than one category.
