M.S or M.Ed. in Educational Psychology with Bilingual Education emphasis

Department of Educational Psychology

Program Description

Graduates with a master's degree in Educational Psychology with Bilingual Education emphasis will find immediate positions in Texas schools, as well as national and international school settings. This 36-semester hour graduate degree option is designed to assist bilingual teachers working with limited English language learners to develop effective teaching and research tools that increase educational opportunity and workplace access for second language students and their families.

The degree in Educational Psychology develops curriculum theories, content, and teaching methodologies, with some flexibility within areas of option emphasis. Prescribed courses may be waived or substituted with committee approval, based on student experience and previous training, or demonstration of required skills.

Admission

All students, distance or resident, must apply to the graduate program by completing the graduate application, the departmental application, letters of recommendation, and submitting the required documentation, such as transcripts and GRE scores. Submitted application materials are considered as part of a total application packet.

Delivery System

Classes are primarily taught through the TTVN interactive video system plus H.323 protocol over the World Wide Web. At this time, no more than 49% of this degree is currently fascilitated via distance.  All remote interactive video classes will be taught in conjunction with a regularly scheduled on-campus class. On-site coordinators will supervise technology and discussions with instructors visiting each site at least once each semester. In addition to interactive video, students should expect to use the Internet and World Wide Web to augment live course delivery. Some instruction might require the use of e-mail and facsimiles for additional communication. This mixed media will ensure effective, educational interaction between the instructor and students.

Degree Program

The Educational Psychology degree provides ample opportunities for field-based experience in schools and the community. In addition to demonstrating success in seminar courses, enrollees must successfully demonstrate:

Academic and Language Learning

• Research-supported, effective instructional techniques for high rates of student academic learning in L1 and L2 (emphasis on reading/writing skills)
• Research-supported, effective instructional techniques for efficient second language acquisition, with continued support for first language growth and development;
• Techniques for developing, enhancing and evaluating curricula and lessons for Bilingual learners.
• Classroom research techniques for evaluating and documenting student and program success.
• Techniques for enhancing student success on high-stake State-wide assessments.

Social Climate & Emotional Well-Being

• Techniques for enhancing learner self-efficacy and student general self-concept;
• Techniques for ensuring school-wide respect for the linguistic/cultural diversity of students and their families.

School Improvement

• Skillful participation in school improvement efforts, including needs assessments, goal setting, developing an action plan, evaluating improvement results. School improvement efforts should target academic and language learning of Bilingual students and enhance their status within the school community.

Family & Community Partnerships

• Techniques for developing inclusive partnerships with families;
• Techniques for working with the broader community and other social service agencies (interagency partnerships and collaboration).

Required Courses

I. Educational Psychology Core (9 hours)
EPSY 636 Techniques of Research (3 hrs)
M.Ed. also select one of the following, and M.S. also select two of the following

EPSY 631 Program Evaluation (3 hrs)
EPSY 630 Single Case Research (3 hrs)
[Select one] Qualitative Research—may be from within or outside of Department. (3 hrs)

II. Hispanic Bilingual Education Core (equivalent) (15 hours)**
EPSY 610 Hispanic Bilingual Assessment & Monitoring (3 hrs)
EPSY 611 Dual Language Programs Methodologies (3 hrs)
EPSY 612 Content Area Instruction for Hispanic Bilingual Programs (3 hrs)
BPSY 613 Biliteracy for Hispanic Bilingual Students (3 hrs)
BPSY 616 Bilingual and Dual Language Classrooms for Hispanic Students (3 hrs)

** The Hispanic Bilingual Education Core (equivalent) 15 hours, is required for bilingual certification. For additional information, please speak with a college advisor.

III. Practica (6 hrs)
EPSY 683 Field Practicum Research in Hispanic Bilingual Education (3 hrs)
SEFB 683 Field Practicum in Bilingual Teaching (3 hrs) (for M.Ed. only)

IV Supporting Areas (6 hrs) (select two of four courses)
SPED 630 Reading for At-Risk learners/Hispanic Bilingual Students (3 hrs)
EDAD 638 Developing School-Community Partnerships (3 hrs)
EDTC 618 Application of Telecommunications in Education (3 hrs)
EDTC 645 Microcomputer Applications in Education Instruction (3 hrs)

Final Field Study Requirement
Students complete a "final field study". The Field Study is a formal summary of scholarly investigation involving original data or re-analysis of data originally collected for other purposes. The Field Study is formally evaluated by the student's committee and must be presented in the student's final oral defense.

Example Degree Plan Master of Science (non-thesis)

EPSY 636 Techniques of Research (3 hrs)
EPSY 631 Program Evaluation (3 hrs)
EPSY 630 Single Case Research (3 hrs)
EHRD 655 Qualitative Research Methods (3 hrs)
EPSY 610 Hispanic Bilingual Assessment & Monitoring (3 hrs)
EPSY 611 Dual Language Programs Methodologies (3 hrs)
EPSY 612 Content Area Instruction for Hispanic Bilingual Programs (3 hrs)
BPSY 613 Biliteracy for Hispanic Bilingual Students (3 hrs)
BPSY 616 Bilingual and Dual Language Classrooms for Hispanic Students (3 hrs)
EPSY 683 Field Practicum Research in Hispanic Bilingual Education (3 hrs)
SPED 630 Reading for At-Risk learners/Hispanic Bilingual Students (3 hrs)
EDAD 638 Developing School-Community Partnerships (3 hrs) 

Final Examination

Students completing a M.Ed or MS (non-thesis) degree in Educational Psychology via distance will be governed by the same requirements as other Master’s students in the department in relation to their final examination and thesis defenses. Students will be required to come to the College Station campus for the examination, which can be either oral, written, or both. The examinations will follow all Office of Graduate Studies’ (OGS) regulations and will have to be completed according the schedule provided by OGS each semester.

Transition to Distance Degree

Selected courses are currently being offered using video conferencing. The internet has become an increasingly effective tool to support instruction face to face or via video conferencing. Courses will over time move toward on-line instruction.  All courses can be taught now via video conferencing.  At this time, no more than 49% of this degree is currently fascilitated via distance. 

For Information about the Ed. Psychology distance degree program, contact:.

Kristie Stramaski
Academic Advisor
(979) 845-1833
kstramaski@tamu.edu