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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.
Design for Meaningful Learning
Learning science is an interdisciplinary field of study, informed by educational psychology, that focuses on learning and teaching in diverse contexts often using a design-based research approach. The MS in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Learning Sciences in Diverse Contexts prepares graduates to develop, implement, and evaluate education innovations. Students in this concentration work with faculty to complete a capstone (i.e., thesis, scholarly project, or internship) informed by design-based research approach.
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
Undergraduate Semester 1 *
Undergraduate Semester 2 *
Undergraduate Semester 3 *
Master's Semester 1
Master's Semester 2
Electives*
In consultation with graduate academic advisor, choose six credits from the following:
*Note: Topic must focus on Learning Sciences.
*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 19 |
Priority*: November 1
Space Available: January 5 |
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 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:
- Graduate application and fee
- 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. Mason does not accept paper recommendations. Recommendations should be professional or academic in nature.
- Transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the United States. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions information page for specific requirements regarding uploading unofficial transcripts.
- Applicants with transcripts from institutions outside of the United States could have additional requirements. Please refer to the How To Apply page for specific requirements about submitting international transcripts, evaluations, and English language proficiency.
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:
- An earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts. Expectation of an earned baccalaureate prior to the first day of classes for the term for which the student is applying will also meet this requirement. See the graduate admissions policy for more information.
- A minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in baccalaureate study. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply, addressing previous academic challenges and highlighting evidence for future success in their goal statement.
- International students should reference Admission of International Students for additional requirements.
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 |
$575.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$1,582.50
(includes MSF*) |
CEHD Course Fee
($25/credit with higher per credit or flat course fees for internship and select ATEP, RECR, and RMGT courses) |
$25.00 - $257.00 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$600.50 - $832.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$1,607.50 - $1,839.50 |
Undergraduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$360 | $285 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): $155.00
Graduate Tuition
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$727.00
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$927.00
(includes MSF*; discounted from $1,641.50) |
| VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program** |
$617.95
(includes MSF*) |
| CEHD Course Fee |
$25.00 - $84.00 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$752.00 - $811.00 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$952.00 - $1,011.00 |
| Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program* |
$642.95 - $701.95 |
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): $155.00
**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.
Michelle Buehl
Academic Program Coordinator
Anthony Eamonn Kelly
Anastasia Kitsantas
Holly Klee
Angela Miller
Alexandra Patzak
Kimberly Sheridan
Divya Varier