| THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOG | |
| Table of Contents > College of Education | |
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10.7
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY, RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY, AND COUNSELING (BCE, BEP, BER, BSP)
Three study options in the Counselor Education Program lead to the MA and EdS degrees and provide the professional preparation necessary for work in schools, colleges, rehabilitation, and other agency and community settings. The PhD degree is also offered in counselor education. Certification programs for school counselors are available at the Class A and Class AA levels. Courses used to qualify for a lower-level supporting certificate may not be used again in a higher-level certification program.
Because of the necessarily heavy emphasis at the entry level upon practicum and internship experiences, the MA programs in school counseling and rehabilitation counseling require a minimum of 48 semester hours of study. The community counseling master's degree requires a minimum of 60 semester hours. No thesis is required in any of the MA programs.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has conferred accreditation on the following: community counseling (MA), school counseling (MA), and counselor education (PhD). The Council on Rehabilitation Education, also recognized by CHEA, has conferred accreditation for rehabilitation counseling (MA).
Cohort admission decisions are made twice annually (November and April). Admission and degree requirements specific to the program and in addition to those of the Graduate School, College, and department include the following:
Admission for Master's Degrees Admission to pursue a master's degree in any track within the program in counselor education is based upon success in admission for graduate study with the Graduate School. No additional program requirements are expected beyond these minimum standards.
Admission for Educational Specialist Degree Admission to pursue an educational specialist degree in counselor education is based upon success in admission for graduate study with the Graduate School as well as the following requirements: (a) completion of a master's degree in counseling, and (b) two years of experience.
Admission for Doctoral Degrees Admission to pursue a doctoral degree in counselor education is a two-step procedure. Unconditional admission by the Graduate School is only the initial step for those seeking the doctoral degree. Within this step, students are engaged in post-master's study and are subject to scrutiny and review by program faculty for their suitability for doctoral study. An applicant for doctoral study must (a) possess a completed master's degree in counselor education; (b) when necessary, complete supplemental master's-equivalency courses to comply with the CACREP-accredited course of study for the master's degree; and (c) successfully complete the doctoral screening interview for formal pursuit of the doctoral degree in counselor education. Course credit in post-master's study prior to the screening interview may be used to fulfill doctoral degree requirements only after supplemental master's-equivalency study is completed and a successful screening interview is conducted.
Additional information is in the Admission Criteria and the College of Education (General Admission) sections of this catalog.
Degree Requirements Degree requirements are noted on the official Plan of Study for the various degrees/tracks. These documents are available from the chairperson or administrative staff for the department. All doctoral students must have a completed Plan of Study approved by the Graduate School no later than the semester during which the student will complete 30 semester hours of UA and/or transfer credit for the doctoral degree. Otherwise, a "hold" may be placed on future registrations.
If later there are changes in the Plan of Study, the student simply submits an amended plan of study to the Graduate School at the time the student applies for admission to candidacy for the degree. Admission to Candidacy forms are on the Graduate School's website.
A department-approved Admission to Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree is submitted to the Graduate School as soon as possible after passing the comprehensive (preliminary) examination. The application for Admission to Candidacy for the master's degree should be filed after 12 semester hours of graduate credit have been earned at The University of Alabama. Requirements for Admission to Candidacy for the EdS Degree are the same as those for the master's degree in the same area. See the online Graduate Catalog (Sec. 4.9.3) for details on plan of study, admission to candidacy, and all other degree requirements.
The University of Alabama Educational Psychology Program admits candidates to the master’s (MA), educational specialist (EdS), doctor of education (EdD) and PhD graduate degree programs. The mission of the program is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the theory and research related to learners, learning and developmental processes. All degree programs reflect this mission and prepare students for careers as faculty members within academic settings, researchers in agencies or businesses and school practitioners. The program invites applications from all potential students, especially those in underrepresented populations.
The MA in Educational Psychology provides an advanced introduction to the field. Students may select a thesis and nonthesis option. There are also two MA options offered in collaboration with educational research. These options are: Learning and Evaluation (thesis and nonthesis options) and program evaluation (nonthesis only). The EdS degree is designed for practitioners who desire advanced training beyond the MA. Practitioners who wish to obtain an advanced terminal degree may opt for the EdD The PhD is an advanced research degree and is designed specifically for students interested in careers within academic and research settings. PhD students may choose specializations in: (a) learning and motivation or (b) human development. The human development specialization is offered in collaboration with the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Human Environmental Sciences.
Admission Requirements Statement of purpose and letters of recommendation consistent with goals of the program, scores above the 50th percentile on the GRE or MAT, and a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are needed for unconditional admission. Conditional admission will be granted in some circumstances. Prospective students are encouraged to complete their applications by January 15 for admission the following fall.
Additional information is in the Admission Criteria section of this catalog.
Degree Requirements Masters degrees require 30–33 graduate credit hours. EdS degrees require 30–33 hours beyond the master's. Doctoral degrees require 72 or more hours beyond the master's.
Additional information is in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog.
The primary mission of the Educational Research Program is to offer a quality graduate program. Consistent with this mission is the preparation of students so that they acquire exceptional skills and knowledge in educational research and evaluation.
The program in educational research offers the PhD in educational research. There is an EdS offered in conjunction with Educational Psychology. There are also two MA options offered in collaboration with educational psychology. These options are: Learning and Evaluation (thesis and nonthesis options) and program evaluation (nonthesis only). The degrees require coursework in educational statistics, assessment/measurement, program evaluation, and qualitative research. A student may choose to specialize in educational statistics, program evaluation, assessment/measurement, research methodology, or qualitative research at the PhD level. Field experiences are required as part of the program.
Admission for educational specialist degree, EdS Admission to pursue an educational specialist degree in educational psychology (Educational Research emphasis) is based upon success in admission for graduate study with the Graduate School as well as the following: completion of a master's degree in the behavioral sciences, education, math, or statistics.
Admission for doctoral degree, PhD The doctoral program in Educational Research requires a Master’s degree for doctoral admission. Completion of a master's degree in: the behavioral sciences, education, math, or statistics is recommended.
Additional information is in the Admission Criteria section of this catalog.
Degree requirements for the doctoral degree, PhD Degree requirements are available from the program coordinator or administrative staff for the department. Degree requirements are noted on the official Plan of Study for the various degrees/tracks. These documents are available from the chairperson or administrative staff for the department.
All doctoral students must have a completed Plan of Study approved by the Graduate School no later than the semester during which the student will complete 30 semester hours of UA and/or transfer credit for the doctoral degree. Otherwise, a "hold" may be place on future registrations.
A department-approved Admission to Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree is submitted to the Graduate School as soon as possible after passing the comprehensive (preliminary) examination. Additional information concerning Plan of Study, admission to candidacy and all other requirements including those for the EdS is in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog.
The School Psychology Program is designed to provide exemplary graduate training in research, application, and practice related to learning, development, and mental health of children and youth, as well as their families, educators, and other professionals who work with them. The program also serves graduate students and faculty throughout the College of Education and other colleges by providing coursework, consultation, and doctoral minors. The EdS and PhD degrees in the School Psychology Program hold full approval status from the National Association of School Psychologists.
The degrees from the School Psychology Program may lead to state and national credentials. Students who obtain the EdS and PhD degrees in the School Psychology Program are eligible for the National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP), following successful completion of the national school psychologist PRAXIS-II examination and internship. The NCSP is used by many states as one possible route to grant state certification in school psychology. Requirements for certification and licensure in school psychology vary from state to state. Students are expected to determine the requirements in the state or states in which they are interested in practicing before beginning the program.
The MA degree in Educational Psychology-School Psychometry is approved for Alabama Class A Certification in School Psychometry if the following prerequisite is met: (a) baccalaureate-level certification in a teaching field and (b) two years of satisfactory educational experience, and (c) a passing score on comprehensive exams. The EdS in Educational Psychology-School Psychology and the PhD and EdD degrees in School Psychology are approved for the Alabama Class AA Certification in School Psychology if the following prerequisites are met: (a) baccalaureate-level certification in a teaching field, (b) certification as a school psychometrist, (c) two years of satisfactory educational experience, and (d) a passing score on the state content assessment, if required. Individuals who hold National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP) may be eligible for the Alabama AA certificate in School Psychology.
Requirements for the Graduate School (Degree Requirements) and the College of Education (Master’s, Professional Certification, EdS, Doctoral) are detailed in earlier sections of this catalog. For specific program requirements visit the College of Education Programs web site or for a student handbook and additional information, email or call: Chairperson, School Psychology, The University of Alabama, College of Education, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0231; phone (205) 348-7575; fax (205) 348-0683; program office, 306 Carmichael Hall, email: pharriso@bamaed.ua.edu.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOG |
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Update: April, 2009 |
