Programs and degrees
Welcome to the Department of Educational Psychology!
In 2024, we were rated #7 in the nation among educational psychology graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report. Our special education program was ranked #10.
View a welcome message from Professor and Chair Anne Foegen.
Graduate programs
Counselor education MA
Help others grow academically and professionally as a K-12 school counselor or licensed mental health professional (LPC or LPCC) working in a community setting.
Psychological Foundations of Education MA and PhD
Study the psychological processes critical to education. Put your research to work—in local schools and with members of diverse communities—to help our neighbors succeed at school and work.
Quantitative methods in education MA and PhD
Discover solutions to issues in educational research, assessment, and program evaluation through measurement, evaluation, and statistics.
School psychology MA with specialist certificate and PhD
Work with students to help them succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally by providing a range of services, including: assessment, intervention, prevention, consultation, supervision, training, research, program evaluation, and development.
Special education MEd/teaching licensures, MA, and PhD
Improve outcomes for individuals who require specialized support to achieve success throughout their lifespan.
Graduate minors
Graduate minor in educational psychology
The Department of Educational Psychology's graduate minor is for Master's and PhD students in another program at the University of Minnesota who are interested in a minor in educational psychology.
The Department of Educational Psychology also offers the minor in educational psychology with an emphasis in psychological foundations of education and quantitative methods in education.
Special education minor for master's students
Complement your master’s degree with the knowledge and skills to improve the way your field supports people with disabilities by earning a graduate minor in special education.
Students wishing to pursue this graduate minor must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at the University of Minnesota. Students with an educational psychology major may elect a minor in special education, but no courses may count for both the major and the minor.
Undergraduate programs
Bachelor's of science in special education
Choose from three tracks:
Bachelor's of science with academic and behavioral strategist (ABS) teaching licensure
Help others grow academically and professionally as a K-12 school counselor or licensed mental health professional (LPC or LPCC) working in a community setting.
Bachelor’s of Science (BS) with Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) licensure
Earn your bachelor's of science in special education and early childhood special education teaching license in four years. Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to be certified to teach infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with delays/disabilities in a wide variety of home, community, and school settings.
Bachelor’s of science: Foundations of special education for schools and society
Gain expertise in the field of special education to expand its reach in schools and society. This degree does not lead to a teaching license.
Undergraduate minors
Minor in applied psychology in educational and community settings
Enrich your major degree, working with learners across the lifespan (children, youth, and adults).
Educational psychology research minor
Conduct research to help improve educational outcomes and lives, and gain valuable research experience critical to narrowing your interests and school search.
Undergraduate classes
American Sign Language classes
Learn American Sign Language (ASL), one of the fastest growing languages in the United States and the indigenous language of the Deaf community. ASL is a natural, visual, non-spoken language with its own distinct grammatical structure.
Certificates
Online autism spectrum disorder certificate
Prepare to assist children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families with this fully online ASD certificate.
Talent development and gifted education certificate
Develop, implement, and supervise programs to teach gifted and talented students in K-12, postsecondary schools and other settings with a certificate in talent development and gifted education.
Learning sciences post baccalaureate certificate
Shape your teaching and research through better understanding of how people learn. As a student in our new learning sciences certificate program, you’ll study learning theories, methodologies, designs, and evidence-based practices central to teaching and conducting research that supports the learning process.
Disability policy and services certificate
Study the infrastructure, policies, and services that affect the lives of children, youth, and adults with disabilities. Learn about how these organizations integrate and collaborate to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions, improve access to services, and eliminate health, social, and economic disparities.