FOUNDATION COURSES (6 credit hours)

EPSY 602 Educational Psychology (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 673 Learning Theories (3 credits)

SPECIALIZED COURSES (6-12 credit hours)

At least two of the following courses:

EPSY 648 Intelligence and Creativity (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 606 Motivation and Emotion (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 634 Educational Neuroscience (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 646 Issues in Child and Adolescent Development (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 647 Lifespan Development (3 credit hrs.)

RESEARCH COURSES (3-6 credit hours)

At least one of the following courses:

EPSY 603 Qualitative Methodologies in Educational Research (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 622 Measurement and Evaluation (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 607 Understanding Research from a Consumer’s Perspective (3 credit hrs.)

ADDITIONAL ELECTIVE COURSEWORK (12-21 credit hours)

Choose from the following courses:

EPSY 624 Creative Thinking (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 631 Program Evaluation (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 632 Social and Emotional Development and Interventions (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 636 Techniques of Research (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 645 Creative Genius (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 659 Field Practicum in Educating Gifted, Talented, and Highly Creative (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 671 Interpersonal Relationships (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 689 Developmental Neurobiology of Learning (3 credit hrs.)
EPSY 689 Temperament, Behavior Problems, and Psychopathology (3 credit hrs.)
LDTC 613 Integrating Technology in Learning Environment (3 credit hrs.)
LDTC 645 Emerging Technologies for Learning I (3 credit hrs.)
LDTC 646 Emerging Technologies for Learning II (3 credit hrs.)

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• The Developmental Sciences Specialization requires a minimum of 36 credits to earn a M.Ed.
• Core course requirements may be waived for students who have successfully completed comparable
graduate coursework and/or demonstrate requisite knowledge and skills.
• Additional courses both within and outside of EPSY (including additional courses in learning sciences or
research, measurement, and statistics) may count toward elective coursework.
• Students should consult with their advisor or program committee to identify appropriate elective

If you are considering applying to our Developmental Science MEd degree program, consider gathering information about yourself and about the program.

Gather information about yourself

• Your career goals. This degree program is geared for students who wish to become professionals whose work serve children, youth, and families in diverse populations and communities. This program will allow you to develop content knowledge expertise in various domains of human development, and to become intelligent consumers of developmental research.
• Your previous academic experiences and current skill set. This program is a good match for you if you have had experience or training to work in the education field. It is also a good match if your careers may benefit from understanding individuals and families from a developmental lens, such as those with career goals to serve children, youth, and families in diverse populations and communities
• Your expectations. In this program, you will take courses on broad educational psychology topics, learning theory, and more specific program courses on development at various life stages in various domains. You will also take courses that will provide you with foundational understanding of research methods and statistics in developmental science.
• The timing of your application. We have two application cycles for this program, one in the spring and one in the fall. The best time for you to apply is when you are ready to start and make progress on a graduate degree program.

Gather information about our programs

• Consider the coursework you will take. Take a look at the coursework we offer in the “Program Details” section of this website. Our graduate student handbook is also available in the same section to offer more details about the program for Masters students.
• Follow us on social media: You can take a look at our ongoing activities and learn more about what we do on our social media platforms. We have a Learning Sciences Facebook page and a Learning Sciences Twitter account.
• Ask remaining questions. If you have additional questions about the program, you can contact the academic advisor for graduate students. The academic advisor can help answer additional questions you may have about the degree and credit information, admissions deadlines, required application materials, and coursework for the degree program.

Application materials

All materials (except for TOEFL/IELTS scores) will be uploaded directly to the Graduate CAS Grad application. Additional information about materials can be found in our Departmental Admissions requirements page for our Master’s degree programs.

Individually prepared materials

• Statement of Purpose
• Resume/CV
  

Recommendation letters submitted on your behalf

• Three letters of recommendation

Transcripts and standardized test scores

Make sure you have enough time to have the official transcripts from prior degrees sent to you before the application deadline. You cannot be considered for acceptance into the program until an official transcript is on file with Texas A&M University.

• Official transcripts and records from all colleges and universities attended (excluding community colleges; minimum 3.0 GPA recommended)
• International students from non-English speaking countries only: Official TOEFL scores (or IELTS scores)
• The GRE is not required for this program.

Preparing a statement of purpose for this program

Your statement of purpose should include not only your inspiration for pursuing a Master’s degree; it should also highlight your past training, research, and applied experiences in relevant fields. In addition, you should also state your career goals and plans for this graduate training, such as the expertise and experiences you would like to develop/gain from this program. Finally, if you are applying to multiple programs across universities, each program you apply to will be different. Remember to customize your statement of purpose for each program. This allows you to better illustrate how each specific program will be useful and help you meet your career goals. 

• Preparing your personal statement for graduate school applications: https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/09/graduate-school-applications

Preparing a resume/CV for this program

In general, your CV should highlight your past academic and professional experiences relevant to the program you are applying to. This could include (but not limited to) your education background, past research training and achievement, past teaching experience and certification, and applied work/volunteer experience (e.g., experience working with youth and families as a counselor, social worker, program developer, etc). 

• Build a better CV: https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2015/01/curriculum-vitae 

Preparing references to write letters of recommendation for this program

Letters of recommendations should be from professors, course instructors, or research mentors. Letters should not be from family or friends. 

• The art of the letter: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/01/letter-recommendation

General tips

• Preparing and Applying for Graduate School in Psychology: https://www.apa.org/education-career/grad/application-video-series 

Important! Please make sure you apply to the correct program: Master’s of Education degree in Developmental Science. If you do not see the program listed in the application portal, it is possible the deadline has passed. If this occurs, please contact the academic advisor for graduate students for further advice.