Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Educational Psychology - Learning, Cognition, and Motivation Concentration

Program Summary

Program: Educational Psychology

Degree: Master of Science in Educational Psychology, Concentration in Learning, Cognition, and Motivation

Credential(s): MS

Credits: 30

100% Online Option: No
On-campus/Blended Option: Yes

Cost per Credit:
BAM students can take graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate, depending on the program. Please meet with an admissions counselor to discuss your program options.

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6/17/2025: Educational Psychology Virtual Information Session — — 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Accelerate Your Career

Mason undergraduates are eligible to apply to this bachelor's/accelerated master's program, which allows them to obtain both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree within an accelerated time frame. The program also offers the advantage of paying undergraduate tuition rates for graduate classes taken while finishing the bachelor’s degree, with some graduate classes able to count towards both degrees.

Understand and Improve Learning

Our MS in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Learning, Cognition, and Motivation prepares graduates to conduct and apply research related to learning, motivation, and self-regulation. Graduates are prepared to design and implement effective educational programs that are appropriate for a broad range of cultural contexts and that meet the needs of diverse populations, including those who might not benefit from traditional teaching strategies.

Educational psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the scientific study of human learning. Studying learning processes from cognitive, social, emotional, and developmental perspectives allows researchers to understand individual differences in intelligence, cognitive development, affect, motivation, self-regulation, and self-concept as well as their roles in learning. The field of educational psychology relies heavily on research methods such as testing and measurement to enhance educational activities related to instructional design, classroom management, and assessment and to facilitate learning processes in various educational settings across the lifespan.

Educational psychology is interdisciplinary, informed primarily by psychology, neuroscience, sociology, and cultural studies. It in turn informs a wide range of specialties within educational studies, including instructional design, educational technology, curriculum development, organizational learning, decision making, adult education, special education, and management.

An educational psychologist may:

Assess learning and emotional needs by observing and consulting with multidisciplinary teams to advise on the best approaches and provisions to support learning development
Evaluate and analyze teaching methods, training methods, and educational programs
Create and develop new educational methods, instruments, or programs
Formulate interventions that focus on applying knowledge, skills, and expertise to support local and national initiatives
Advise, support, educate, and negotiate with teachers, parents, and other educational professionals
Facilitate meetings, discussions, seminars, and courses
Review and develop policies

Students who choose the learning, cognition, and motivation concentration may pursue careers as:

community college instructors
consultants in research settings (e.g., schools, industry, government)
consultants to families of children with specific needs in specialty areas
curriculum specialists
instructional coaches
research assistants or associates on grant-funded research teams

Undergraduate Semester 1 *

EDEP 602: Fundamentals of Educational Psychology (3 credits)
EDRS 590: Education Research (3 credits)

Undergraduate Semester 2 *

EDEP 603: Applications of Educational Psychology in Developmental Contexts (3 credits)
EDRS 620: Quantitative Inquiry in Education (3 credits)

Undergraduate Semester 3 *

EDRS 621: Qualitative Inquiry in Education (3 credits)
EDRS 622: Educational and Psychological Measurement (3 credits) OR Elective 1 * (choose from the list below)

Master's Semester 1

EDRS 622: Educational and Psychological Measurement (3 credits) OR Elective 1 * (choose from the list below)
Elective 2 * (choose from the list below)

Master's Semester 2

Elective 3 * (choose from the list below)
EDEP 794: Internship in Educational Psychology (3 credits) OR EDEP 796: Scholarly Project in Educational Psychology (3 credits) OR EDEP 799: Thesis in Educational Psychology (3 credits)

Electives*
In consultation with graduate academic advisor, choose nine credits from the following:

EDEP 551: Principles of Learner Motivation (3 credits)
EDEP 653: Culture and Intelligence (3 credits)
EDEP 654: Learning, Motivation, and Self-Regulation (3 credits)
EDEP 597: Special Topics in Educational Psychology (3 credits)*
EDEP 694: Practicum in Educational Psychology (1-3 credits)
CEHD Development related-courses
- EDCD 525: Advanced Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
- ECED 501: Developmental Pathways of Diverse Learners, Birth-Adolescence (3 credits)
- EDCI 580: Human Development and Learning (3 credits)
- SEED 540: Human Development and Learning: Secondary Education (3 credits)

Total: 30 credits

*Student and their graduate advisor determine which courses count as Advanced Standing (i.e., both the BA or BS and Master's degree) or Reserve Graduate credit (i.e., apply to Master's Degree only).

**This is a sample schedule based on two courses each semester as an undergraduate. Schedule may vary depending on the first semester in the BAM, number of classes taken, if classes are taken in summer, and course schedules. EDEP 603, EDRS 620, EDRS 621, and EDRS 622 have specific program prerequisites than must be taken in advance. Students should consult their graduate academic advisor to determine the course schedule best for them.

Fall Semester (classes starting in August)	Spring Semester (classes starting in January)	Summer Semester (classes starting in May, June, or July)
Priority*: April 1 Space Available: August 18	Priority*: November 1 Space Available: January 10	Priority*: February 1 Space Available: May 15

Fall Semester
(classes starting in August)

Spring Semester
(classes starting in January)

Summer Semester
(classes starting in May, June, or July)

Priority*: April 1

Space Available: August 18

Priority*: November 1

Space Available: January 10

Priority*: February 1

Space Available: May 15

For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.

* Priority deadline ensures consideration for the intended semester as well as financial aid options for students. Programs will continue to review applications until at capacity. Some programs do not review applications past the priority deadline.

All application materials must be submitted through George Mason’s online graduate application. In addition to meeting general university admissions requirements, applicants will need to provide the requirements below.

To be considered for graduate studies, the following items are evaluated during the admission review process:

Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s application
750- to 1,000-word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
Current resume
Two letters of recommendation. Applicants should follow the instructions included in the online application to submit the recommendation forms directly to their recommenders. George Mason does not accept paper recommendations. Recommendations should be professional or academic in nature.
One letter of recommendation from your George Mason undergraduate advisor

Admission to graduate programs at George Mason University is competitive. Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their academic backgrounds, results of standardized exams (if required by the program), work experience, and any additional evidence of potential success in the program. Faculty admissions review is a holistic review of requirements as well as the applicant’s potential academic and professional success upon completion of the program.

At a minimum all admitted students must have:

The College of Education and Human Development offers a number of combined bachelor's and accelerated master's (BAM) degree programs for academically strong undergraduates with a commitment to learning advanced skills in a specialized field of study. Applicants receive a waiver of the graduate application fee, and admitted students may obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree after satisfactory completion of 144 to 150 credits (number of required credits depends on the graduate program).

Students can submit an application to a BAM program once they have earned between 75 and 100 credits. Faculty admissions review includes a holistic review of requirements as well as the applicant’s potential academic and professional success upon completion of the program.

Bachelor's to Accelerated Master's (BAM) students can take graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate, depending on the program. Please meet with an admissions counselor to discuss your program options.

Undergraduate Tuition

TUITION CLASSIFICATION	COST PER CREDIT
Virginia Resident	$592.50 (includes MSF*)
Non-Virginia Resident	$1,612.00 (includes MSF*)
CEHD Course Fee ($25/credit with higher per credit or flat course fees for internship and select ATEP, RECR, and RMGT courses)	$25 - $257
Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit	$617.50 - $849.50
Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit	$1,637.00 - $1,869.00
Undergraduate New Student Fee (non-refundable, one-time fee)	$350 \| $275 for transfer students

Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled.

*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50

Graduate Tuition

TUITION CLASSIFICATION	COST PER CREDIT
Virginia Resident	$748.50 (includes MSF*)
Non-Virginia Resident	$948.50 (includes MSF*; discounted from $1,679.50)
VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program**	$635.50 (includes MSF*)
CEHD Course Fee	$25 - $84
Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit	$773.50 - $832.50
Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit	$979.50 - $1,038.50
Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program*	$660.50 - $719.50
Graduate New Student Fee (non-refundable, one-time fee)	$60

Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.

*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50

**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.

Contact the Educational Psychology program at edpsych@gmu.edu for advising information. Faculty and staff will answer any questions that you may have about your program or degree.

Forms

Current students should visit MyMason for important forms and documents.

Program Summary

Program: Educational Psychology

Degree: Master of Science in Educational Psychology, Concentration in Learning, Cognition, and Motivation

Credential(s): MS

Credits: 30

100% Online Option: No
On-campus/Blended Option: Yes

Cost per Credit:
BAM students can take graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate, depending on the program. Please meet with an admissions counselor to discuss your program options.

Request Information

Apply Now!

Master of Science in Educational Psychology, Concentration in Learning, Cognition, and Motivation

Program Summary

Accelerate Your Career

Understand and Improve Learning

What Is Educational Psychology?

What Does an Educational Psychologist Do?

What Are Some Potential Careers for Graduates of this Concentration Area?

Application Deadlines

Application Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Tuition (2024-25)

Undergraduate Tuition

Graduate Tuition

Financial Aid

Advising

Resources

Forms

Educational Psychology

Program Summary

Primary Faculty